The Anne of Green Gables Treasury

Let's talk about awesomeness, shall we? I am currently like Rachel Lynde, 'thinking in exclamation points'!

Get out those TBR list, gift giving lists, I-Want-This-More-Than-Any-Other-Book-In-The-World(-at-least-right-now) lists and any other list you have. Ready? Add this to it: The Anne of Green Gables Treasury-Special Edition Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables 1908-2008. Why do you want this book and why is it so amazing?

Well, if you like Anne as much as I do and you own multiple copies of Anne of Green Gables (paperback for easy reading, two hardback copies [one 1983 illustrated and one 1935 edition] and OF COURSE an original 1908 edition published by L.C. Page & Co.!) then you might want this book.

Written by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson, they have put this book together for Anne-lovers to learn how to:

~ Prepare an Anne tea party (recipes included)

~ Orchestrate your garden with flowers that Anne likely (or did have) in hers.

~ Make-and-do crafts as Anne would have

The illustrations in this book are beautifully done and, as the authors indicated in their introduction, never show Anne's face. They quote Miss Josephine Barry in stating that Anne had "as many shades as a rainbow and every shade is the prettiest while it lasts." In order to preserve the imagination of the readers of this treasury, the authors requested that Anne's face always be turned away and so it is. I think this is a lovely compliment to Montgomery's readers and I'm grateful that such a request was made as it does allow you to enter Anne's world with a little more ease.

The Anne of Green Gables Treasury includes a variety of facts and information, including information about Montgomery herself, the rest of her works, Prince Edward Island, a map of Avonlea & Green Gables farm, a colorful diagram of the Green Gables home, Anne's family tree, a timeline of events and so much more.

If you are an Anne fanatic or know of one, I really cannot think of a more perfect gift to give them. I think that the authors have done such a great job not trying to add to Montgomery's work but rather to compliment it that I could not be more thrilled with it.

One of the things that so delights me about this book is that it is a work of love from mothers to their daughters. In the introduction to the book the authors state:

"Much of the charm of the Anne books lies in those details of everyday life in the Canadian Maitimes from the late 1800s through the end of World War I. As we talked about the books, we began to wonder if our children, growing up in a world of central heating and indoor plumbing, automobiles and shopping centers, television and computers, could possibly understand what Anne's world was really like. So, we took on the project of researching a bit of the background of the Anne books on their behalf."

They conclude with what they learned by saying, "We were awed -- and so were our daughters."
I do not as yet have a daughter but when and if I ever do, I think wildly enthusiastic thoughts about sharing Anne with her. I think The Anne of Green Gables Treasury is a wonderful showing from mothers who want to share their loves, likes and knowledge with their children. This book just expresses so much of what Montgomery's writing was all about - imagination, love and belonging. Authors Collins and Eriksson really help you to feel that and so they have my gratitude.

For more information about this book, visit their website, Ingleside Impressions. If you skip over there, you will note that Collins & Eriksson have a few more titles you might be interested in, including some on the Little House series as well as The Secret Garden and Little Women. (Those titles look equally delightful!) To specifically learn more about the authors, click here.

Lastly, check out The Anne of Green Gables Christmas Treasury. It's a bit harder to find but feel free to e-mail the authors at: inglesideimpressions (at) gmail (dot) com for additional information as they do have some copies available. I've had this particular title sitting on my shelf for some time (although I did not make the connection that there was a non-holiday related edition of the book!) and have enjoyed that one. (Apparently the Christmas Treasury was translated into Polish also!)

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"

- Anne of Green Gables

Enjoy this new (or old) discovery of The Anne of Green Gables Treasury !

*THIS POST ORIGINATED WITH A GIVEAWAY BUT THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED*