Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books and so I am always curious about new variations being released. When I spotted advance copies of these books available for review I was instantly interested. It’s always so neat to see different artistic interpretations of these beloved characters. These two books were written by the same author, but different illustrators. The styles are very different, but both were a joy to look at.
Disclosure: I received an advance e-copy of these books from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a review. This post may contain affiliate links. I get a small commission if you purchase an item from an affiliate.
Goodnight, Anne by Kallie George
Illustrated by: Genevieve Godbout
Published by: Tundra Books
Release Date: September 25, 2018
A beautiful bedtime picture book based on the best-selling Anne of Green Gables, introducing the irrepressible and beloved Anne to younger readers. It’s time for Anne to go to bed, but not before she wishes goodnight to everyone and everything she loves!
Under the watchful eye of her adoptive mother Marilla, Anne has come to cherish life at Green Gables — the dearest, loveliest spot in the world, and her true home. Every night before she goes to bed, she thinks of all the people and places she loves: her family, her bosom friend Diana, her splendid teacher Miss Stacy, beloved tree Snow Queen, the Lake of Shining Waters and the brilliant sky above. Anne even wishes goodnight — or good riddance! — to pesky classmate Gilbert and nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde. And through it all, Anne’s imagination takes flight on a whimsical journey through Avonlea.
This sweet and heartfelt picture book is a perfect read-aloud introduction to L.M. Montgomery’s beloved Anne and will delight her brand-new fans and lifelong readers alike.
Review:
I was so excited when I saw this one, because I love Genevieve Godbout’s vintage illustration style (seen in books like The Pink Umbrella and When Santa Was a Baby) and Anne Shirley is my favorite fictional character! I thought her illustrations for this book were beautiful and I just want to hang prints of them around my house.
The sweet text with only a line or two per page makes this a great book to read aloud for a range of ages. There have been many different variations of picture books where the character says goodnight to everything, but I think that concept is ideal for this story. Anne is a character you know would want a chance to say an enthusiastic goodnight to everyone and everything she loves before she goes to sleep.
This would be a great book to read over and over again and one that I would love to have in my home library.
Anne Arrives by Kallie George
Illustrated by Abigail Halpin
Published by: Tundra Books
Age range: 6-8 years
Page numbers: 72
Release Date: Sep 25, 2018
The charming first book in a new early-reader series, starring the spirited — and outspoken — Anne Shirley as she first arrives at Green Gables.
Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm, so they’ve adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead, Matthew finds Anne awaiting him at the train station — imaginative, brash, redheaded Anne-with-an-e. With her place at the Cuthberts’ at risk — particularly if nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde has anything to say about it — Anne will have to learn patience, understanding and what it takes to make Green Gables her true home.
Lovingly adapted by Kallie George with beautiful, nostalgic illustrations by Abigail Halpin, Anne Arrives is perfect for new fans of Anne and old.
Review:
This book brings Anne of Green Gables to the early reader stage. Whereas Goodnight Anne is an original story based on the characters, this one is an adaption of the beginning of the first Anne of Green Gables book. I thought it was very well adapted in that it is true to the original with many of the iconic phrases still being used, but with simpler language for early readers. I wouldn’t want this to take the place of the original novel, but it would be a good choice if you want to expose the story line to younger readers. The illustrations are very bright and sweet and they are frequent enough to keep young readers engaged in the story line.
Other Anne of Green Gables/L.M. Montgomery related books:
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