The Secret Garden

6W Frances Hodgson Burnett. illustrations by E. H. Shepard. London: The Reprint Society, 1956. 

Notes

The Secret Garden, first 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.

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924), the author of The Secret Garden, was a British-born novelist and playwright who spent much of her life in the United States. Already famous for works like Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess, Burnett was known for her focus on children’s inner lives, moral growth, and imaginative worlds. The Secret Garden reflects her recurring interest in resilience, personal transformation, and the connection between emotional well-being and the natural environment, establishing her as a pioneering voice in children’s fiction.

Ernest Howard Shepard (1879–1976) was a celebrated English illustrator and artist best remembered for his iconic illustrations of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories and Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Born in London, Shepard studied at the Royal Academy Schools and began his career as a professional illustrator and cartoonist, eventually becoming a prominent contributor to the British humor magazine Punch. Shepard, drew inspiration from the English countryside and also illustrated numerous other literary works throughout his long career, including The Wind in the Willows and this edition of The Secret Garden. His artistry has left an enduring legacy in children’s literature, with his original drawings now regarded as treasured examples of twentieth-century book illustration.

Description

Green cloth binding with silver illustration to upper board and lettering to spine. Black and white illustrations throughout. Original dust jacket with slight loss of color along extremities. Some foxing to edges and top edge red. Very good condition.