The Secret Garden (Vintage Children's Classics) Kindle Edition

“Two things cannot be in one place. Where you plant a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.” —Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret GardenI have had a love affair with all things related to The Secret Garden since I was 7, and it started with my grandmother purchasing the 1987 BBC made for tv VHS starring Gennie James, with a young Colin Firth cameo. I was obsessed! I actually believe my Anglophile preferences started then. I remember borrowing a children’s abridged and illustrated edition of the book from my third grade teacher’s classroom library...and keeping it! For a subject so dear to my heart, it really used to bother me that I’d actually never read the full length children’s classic, despite collecting just about every edition I could get my hands on. This year seemed like the year to rectify that, and at a time when the only edition I had access to was this lovely Vintage Classics Kindle edition. I sometimes wonder if having too many reading options is what handicapped me.I have to say that the book was even lovelier than I could imagine; it’s hard to believe that children are the target audience because it spoke right to my soul. At a time when my family has experienced a series of setbacks and life changes (most recently the passing of my beloved Boston Terrier, Henry), I really understood how children like Mary and Collin could be so sour inside. Life has a way of making you that way if you’re not careful. The transformative and restorative power of the garden and its “magic” helped remind me that the antidote to intrusive, negative thoughts are positive, upbuilding ones, and there is no better way to do that than to throw yourself into helping others, spending time considering Jehovah’s beautiful creation, and focusing on the hope we have ahead of us. Now is the time to be busy about our “gardening.” If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it! If you already have, make it a point to revisit it every now and again.“Much more surprising things can happen to anyone who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable, determinedly courageous one.”

I read this book for the first time probably 10 years ago and I am a senior. I decided I remember loving this story (very much an anglophile i.e. all Jane Austen, etc.) then that I would get it on audible. It was such a treat! The reader is so skilled that she is able to so so many voices that fit so well plus Yorkshire accent and others, the characters do come alive as you listen. I am so happy to have it in my library and will probably listen several more times. A wonderful story about real life (especially in the 1880s) and the healing power of nature.

I read this story many years ago, and decided to read it again. For it's time, it was very good writing and a great children's story, that I can imagine parents reading a chapter or two each night as a bedtime story. In today's world it is a bit old fashioned and moved a little too slowly, but still a valuable story with lessons learned in the telling.

I bought this to read to my grandchildren via facetime. I read a similar book to my kids when they were young.This book was not the same child-friendly book. I immediately returned it.

I purchased this for my son for Christmas. He is a total End Games fan. He totally loved it.

Love this story, got it for my daughter but the font is really tiny.

This was my favorite book as a child. I have read it so many times.

The book is perfect and delivered quick.

I remember reading this book when I was a child. I have just finished reading it to my 9 year old granddaughter. She thinks it's fabulous too; the best book she has ever read, she says.

Bought this as remembered it from my childhood....or thought I did Reading it as an adult it had far more to say albeit in language and thoughts of the time it was written in

Wonderful story, I read it to my six year old and he was spell bound. He likes anything to do with the great outdoors and people. Especially good for young children who have returned from living in a completely different culture.

This book has a step by step translation of certain vocabulary alongside the text. It's perfect for billingual Polish/English children that want to improve their spoken and written English. A classic read for adults and children alike.

I bought this for my 4 1/2 year old because I was extremely tired of her children's songs cds. Although she is a bit young to follow the plot line, she loved listening to the story, and so did I.