Anne with an “e”

Posted on March 12, 2013 by moira

I recently heard about a controversial cover for “Anne of Green Gables”.

The cover had a photo of a sexy, blonde, present-day farm girl on the cover.

Now, I’ve got nothing against blondes. Some of my closest friends are blondes. Anne, however is a red head.

This got me thinking about the book and how I would do the cover.

I first read the book, twenty years ago.

I was 23 years old. I was working at the now closed, Penny Whistle Toys on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This was a boutique toy store that sold all the top-shelf toys including Madame Alexander dolls. This was back when you had to go to a shop like Penny Whistle or an antique show to buy a real Madame Alexander.

no ebay, no amazon.com, no target

One day we got the Anne of Green Gables doll and her trunk. My boss decided that we should have the book too. In between waiting on the rich and famous I read the book.

As a skinny, freckled, red-headed girl I felt someone should have put this book in front of me before the age of 23. I was smitten by Anne and her world and most of all her world view.

 

Anne should have a cover that will remind Grandma, Auntie or Mom that she’s got to get this book in front of a kid who needs it.

School Library Journal has a great post about this great book that includes many beautiful covers over the years. Check it out : http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/18/top-100-childrens-novels-8-anne-of-green-gables-by-l-m-montgomery/#_

10 comments on “Anne with an “e””

1. Bricken on March 13, 2013 at 10:34 am said:

   Anne of Greengables is one of my fav’s. I worry that children today have stoped reading storys like this one. I hope not. I read the book and wanted red hair and nurtured the few freckles that i had. I settled for marrying into a family with red heads.

   Great picture of her Moira.

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   • moira on March 13, 2013 at 11:51 pm said:

     Thanks, Bricken
     I, like Anne wanted Raven hair. I married into a family of blondes but my boy is fairly Ravenlike.

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2. Joanne Roberts on March 13, 2013 at 10:48 am said:

   I didn’t read this book til my twenties, but I watched the Megan Follows movies over and over during my teen years. I love your interpretation of the cover and thanks for the link to Elizabeth’s article.

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   • moira on March 13, 2013 at 11:53 pm said:

     Thanks, Jo(Anne).
     I was reading it again as I was working on these pictures. I got sucked right back in to Anne’s world. I was glad to see it still could touch me this many years later.

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3. Anne Ancona on March 13, 2013 at 10:16 pm said:

   Your cover is wonderful! That is how I remember Anne. I read her often as a child and was glad that I also had an E on my name! Thank you. Anne, with an e

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   • moira on March 13, 2013 at 11:55 pm said:

     Thank you, Anne.
     I’m so glad an Anne replied today!

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4. Vanyas Art on March 14, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:

   Love your illustration.It is like a simbol of childhood.I haven’t read the book yet but I am going to borrow it next time i go to the library.

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   • Anonymous on March 14, 2013 at 8:45 pm said:

     I’m glad I inspired you to read it. I got all choked up re-reading it.

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5. Laurie Sharp on March 14, 2013 at 8:03 pm said:

   Anne is the best! Your cover is wonderful! Nice colors.

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   • Moira on March 14, 2013 at 8:47 pm said:

     Thanks, Laurie

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