The Secret Garden

6W Frances Hodgson Burnett. London: Penguin Books in Association with William Heinehamm, 1960. Presentation Inscription from Michael Tolkien to his Daughter Judith.

Notes

Michael Hilary Reuel Tolkien (1920–1984) was the second son of the legendary fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien. A dedicated British schoolmaster and decorated World War II veteran, Michael played a direct, foundational role in inspiring some of his father's literary creations. Most famously, when Michael was five years old, he tragically lost his beloved toy dog on a beach holiday, which prompted J.R.R. Tolkien to invent and write the whimsical children's story Roverandomto console him. Michael grew up deeply embedded in his father's storytelling world, and as an adult, he raised three children of his own, including his youngest daughter, Judith Tolkien (born 1951). Judith and her siblings grew up with J.R.R. Tolkien as their grandfather, inheriting deep family ties to his academic legacy; for instance, she famously used an ancient Greek dictionary from her grandfather's personal library to study classical languages under her father's instruction. Furthermore, as an adult, Michael received many of the profound, deeply personal letters regarding faith, marriage, and life that have since been published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

The Secret Garden, published in 1911, is a classic children’s novel that tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled and lonely orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire. Mary discovers a locked, neglected garden on the estate and, through tending it, experiences personal growth and helps bring new life to those around her. The novel combines elements of mystery, nature, and emotional transformation, emphasizing themes of friendship, healing, and the restorative power of the natural world. Its vivid descriptions and magical realism have made it an enduring favorite in children’s literature.

Description

Paperback with unique pictorial cover design. Some general browning to the book. And edges. Intact. Blue ink Inscription on half title by Michael Tolkien to his daughter Judith: “To Judith, With much love from daddy, York Sept 12th 1960.”