A wonderful illustrated copy that does more than justice to this beloved children's classic!


I grabbed a copy of this mostly because I've never read the secret garden so I saw it as a win win situation to read it while also having the added bonus of securing a copy with illustrations.

Dear God was that a great idea. The art in the book is so pretty and adorable, I particularly adore the way the artist captured the redneck and other birds in the book (so adorable <3) and while I usually don't particularly care about acknowledgements or notes in the beginning of the book but rather the content of the story itself, the authors note is so special to me, you can tell how much love the artist holds for this book.

The Secret Garden is such a timeless classic. The illustrations in this edition are absolutely beautiful. I would love to have a hardback copy of this on my shelves!

I will admit I skimmed a good portion of this book, but that was because I'd read the Secret Garden many times as a kid so I felt like I had the plot pretty near memorized. I think this is an almost timeless story that never fails to make me smile no matter what age I read it at, and I really appreciated the footnotes added to the pages postscript. As a little kid, I don't think I picked up on half the racism/colonialism rampant in this book, so reading it now was very jarring and I appreciated the acknowledgment rather than the editor just glossing over the issues.

And now we get to the thing I was most excited about for this story, which is the artwork. I thought this was a beautifully illustrated story that I would have loved to read as a kid. If anything, I would have wanted to see even more artwork, but I recognize that there's only so much space on the page for it. Nonetheless, I thought it was really well done and thoroughly enjoyed.

I've been searching for an illustrated copy of the Secret Garden to enhance reading the book out loud with my children. I was really hoping that this would hit the spot, but ultimately, for me it fell flat. I didn't love the illustrations, and they did nothing to enhance the story. I think others might appreciate this style of art, but ultimately it just wasn't for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced electronic copy. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I have loved The Secret Garden since I was a child. This illustrated edition is absolutely beautiful, the illustrations are gorgeous. The story, thankfully, was not updated for our woke times they just added footnotes to mark any racist parts. I’d definitely purchase this edition for myself or as a gift.

Thanks to the artist and the publisher gif the e-Arc I received via NetGalley.

I was given an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a classic children’s novel about a young British girl who is unloved and neglected by her family and is brought to England when everyone in her home dies. Mary starts off rude and selfish and becomes kinder through getting time with positive influences, being outside, and having the chance to play. The book was published in 1911 and does reflect attitudes of the time, especially in relation to Indian people and culture.

The art by Kate Lewis in this edition was absolutely gorgeous. It’s saturated in color and has a style that I can see really inspiring younger readers to draw scenes from the book themselves. There are also footnotes that explain various aspects of the book that are now archaic and offensive, setting up opportunities for parents, guardians, and educators to open up conversations with younger readers about racism, colonialism, and how language changes. The wording in the footnotes is accessible to readers around nine and ten if they are reading on their own.

Like a lot of people in the Anglosphere, I grew up with Frances Hodgson Burnett’s works and I’m glad to see them continuing to be published while also giving newer generations tools to help them understand the context of when her books were written and why we no longer say those things.

Between the art and the footnotes, I would say this is a great edition to be given as a gift to long-time fans of The Secret Garden and readers who are new to the work.

I enjoyed previewing this new illustrated version of The Secret Garden. Publisher’s notes emphasize the watercolor illustrations on almost every page, and they do add a beautiful touch. However, stylistically the pictures seem best appreciated by adults. Additionally, the original text is produced in a rather small font (at least on the temporary digital preview copy I was provided), making the reading experience less comfortable for some readers. Those seeking a keepsake collector’s edition may appreciate this new offering.

A beautiful classic novel reprinted and illustrated with glorious watercolor pictures. Thank you for the ARC. I’ve been enjoying revisiting this story and bringing it to life for another generation with my 6 year old daughter.

The Secret Garden is a classic tale fit for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The story itself I read as a child and remember feeling enthralled into the world created. As an adult, this reread was a bit blah. I do enjoy the general messages, but I have since moved on to deeper, darker tales and so this was not a great fit for me. That said, this edition is absolutely beautiful. If I were to own a copy of this tale this is the version I'd want on my shelf.

"Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Kate Lewis, is a reproduction of a century-old children's book, this time with beautiful illustrations. I never took the time to read this book as a child, so this was a fun opportunity.

The book may be appropriate for children ages 8 to 12 years old. (Although the length of the book may present a challenge). At this age, children are typically able to appreciate the book's themes, which include friendship, self-discovery, and the healing power of nature. The story's main characters, Mary and Colin, may resonate well with readers in this age group as they navigate their personal growth and transformation. The illustrations, while beautiful, may be appreciated more by adults, so this is best as a collector's edition.

Mary Lennox is a neglected and spoiled girl whose parents die. She is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, at Misselthwaite Manor. She discovers a secret garden that was locked after the death of Mrs. Craven. Mary finds the key to the garden and enters, embarking on a journey of transformation and healing. Along the way, she meets Ben Weatherstaff, the gardener. With each visit to the garden, Mary experiences changes within herself.

Mary discovers her sickly cousin, Colin, who has been hidden away. Mary and Colin form a secret bond and begin working on the garden together. Colin starts to believe in the healing power of the garden, and their newfound happiness spreads to others in the manor.

Authors and publishers need to address potentially disturbing language and content, especially regarding racial issues and stereotypes, directly in the text rather than relegating those comments to footnotes. The use of footnotes can downplay their significance and hinder readers' comprehension. Many people have yet to read a footnote. A more effective approach involves revising the text to integrate discussions of these themes, providing context and critical analysis within the narrative to enhance readers' engagement and understanding of the cultural and historical implications. This approach would help readers engage more deeply with the material and foster a more nuanced understanding of the text's cultural and historical implications. My 3-star rating is the result of the use of footnotes rather than incorporating discussion into the text.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Secret Garden is a beloved classic that still connects with students today - with the right methods to bring it to life for the young reader in our modern day. Students will need extra knowledge to understand the time period, the Cholera outbreak and its aftermath, activities for children, and the size, location, and understanding of what the large Misselthwaite Manor meant for its inhabitants. This edition attempts to provide some of that with its illustrations. However, I felt that the style of the paintings would be less engaging for young children. They are more watercolor-like and soft; beautifully rendered but not engaging for today's children overall. They do give some input to the size of the Manor and it's opulence but fail to create a full appreciation like a more realistic drawing or painting might.

I would recommend this for collectors of editions of The Secret Garden or fans of the story already. Young children would probably not be the main audience of this edition.

This is a gorgeous edition of "Secret Garden." The full-page illustrations were absolutely stunning, and the images in the margins added a wonderful touch to the text on the page. The inclusion of footnotes that help to explain the derogatory and out-of-date language were a nice touch as well to discuss the issues with the writing/language without changing the text. I think this edition will especially appeal to young readers and collectors.

Characters 4/5
Plot 5/5
Storytelling 5/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Atmosphere 4.5/5

I love this classic tale! I have not read “The Secret Garden” for many many years and really enjoyed the opportunity to relive the experience. I enjoyed the illustrations; however, I had hoped they would have been slightly more appealing. With that being said, everyone has many opinions on art/illustrations and I did not dislike it. Overall, a great coffee table book to relive some great memories and for future readers alike!

Mary Lennox; does any reader ever forget her? This story of her transformation and growth has stood the test of time. The enchantment of the garden has remained irresistible for generations.

There is no greater treat than introducing a child to the magic of a book. This gorgeous edition of The Secret Garden is perfect for doing exactly that. The illustrations are many, vibrant and enticing.

Remember that there is magic here for adults as well. I definitely want the hard copy of this edition for myself!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

I read this book for the first time last year and I wasn't a huge fan of it because I hated certain elements, but I was curious about this edition and I have to say, it's BEAUTIFUL, I love it. I rate the story like 3 stars, but the illustrations are 5-star worthy, so I'm settling for 4 stars. They're so colorful, the style is gorgeous, and I like that there are illustrations sprinkled throughout the pages as well as full-page scenes. It's a lovely edition!

The Secret Garden was my favorite book as a child, and it still is among my favorite books. This one grabbed my attention with its gorgeous cover. This book should be on every child's bookshelf! Beautiful artwork is displayed throughout the book, making it fun to read! Adults would not regret purchasing this book as well.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished reading The Secret Garden to my 5 year old daughter, and while she absolutely loved it, the illustrations are few and far between in the edition which we read. I was delighted to see a new illustrated version here and just had to check it out. As the story itself is a classic, this review will focus solely on the edition and illustrations in this particular publication.
The illustrations add a delightfully colorful appeal to the pages which, especially during the beginning chapters where Mary is quite contrary and unhappy and a whole lot of terrible things are happening, the paintings accenting the pages really help one to remember that this is quite a beautiful story.
Not ever page has an illustration, and a lot of pages just have a little accent- a skipping rope or a twisty vine on the edge, a bundle of tulip bulbs, a horse and carriage at the bottom of the page. But then there are gorgeous full page illustrations that really make the story explode from the page. Some illustrations even include a quote from the nearby relevant page.
This is a beautiful edition which would be a welcome gift for any Secret Garden lover. Children will be especially delighted with this version, as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this edition in exchange for my review!

The text is well known to many young readers and appropriate for the time of writing. A disclaimer has been added to clarify the culture and modernize thought for political correctness. The illustrations are not to my taste, as I prefer the original but some may like the modern take on this classic novel. My rating is for this version, not the original text which is a beloved classic favorite.

Beautiful cover and edition of a long-standing classic. In some ways, the storyline feels a bit too canned and over-the top for a modern reader.

The Secret Garden is my favorite book of all time, and has been ever since my Aunt Patty gave me a copy for my birthday when I was ten years old. I can’t count how many times I’ve read it. Still, when I picked it up this afternoon I was immediately transported to Yorkshire and there I stayed until I read the last words 2 hours later. As Colin would say, there is Magic in this book.

What makes the book a classic is it’s set of sympathetic characters: sour little Mary who blooms like the garden she tends; Dickon, a boy who seems more at home with animals than people; Colin, who has never been given the chance to discover that he is not fatally ill; Martha, Mary’s down to earth maid, Mrs. Sowerby, mother to Dickon and Martha and the county’s Wise Woman; and of course Archibald Craven, grieving widower and Colin’s father. We sympathize with and cheer for the wounded characters, but we don’t always notice that Burnett has set up a scenario that is amazingly progressive. Ten-year-old Mary is the catalyst for her own and everyone else’s healing, which takes place mostly by allowing the children to play outside in the fresh air, eat simple foods, and dig in the garden. It starts in winter, and as the earth comes alive, so do the children, and eventually, the adults.

There have been many editions of the book, but this one is notable for two reasons. First, the lovely watercolor illustrations by Kate Lewis are colorful, whimsical, and contemporary. I loved that there were several illustrations that showed the unique Yorkshire countryside and the layout of a Victorian country garden. Although there were several depictions of the characters, they did not dominate, and so let the reader imagine the characters in their setting.

The other addition to this edition was footnotes explaining terms used by Burnett that have since fallen out of favor - for example, the term “black” referring to Indian nationals. While I generally applaud this, I had doubts that anyone would fail to recognize that “queer” in this narrative just meant “odd” and was not a pejorative. On the other hand, one footnote explained that the word “heathen” was an outdated term for “non-Christian.” Ironically, the original meaning of “heathen” is simply “people who live on the heath,” which certainly applies to the Sowerbys, who are portrayed as the wise people whose connection to a simple life close to the earth is considered more pure than the wealthy characters.

It’s obvious that I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially young readers, but I do recommend this particular edition because of the beautiful illustrations. I look forward to having this in my collection.

Many thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.