The Secret Garden

This was such a cute retelling/reimagining of the classic story. I think what really stood out to me was the art. The cover is not even a HINT at the beauty inside. Seriously, this art will blow you away.

We all know the classic story, but this adaptation made it feel fresh and new, modernized but at the same time paying good homage to the original.

Thank you for the e-galley!

This was cute! I have such vivid memories of watching The Secret Garden film probably twenty years ago so I couldn't resist this. The art style is gorgeous, especially the nature and flower scenes - they really stood out and will look even more amazing in print. I also really appreciated the history and the glossary in the back! A great and informative read especially for younger readers.

3.5 "nostalgic, stress easing, hope instilling" stars !!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and illustrator and Andrews McCeel publishing for an e-copy.

I had a variety of minor stressors today (that added up) and I was feeling tense and mildly anxious. Aside from my meditation and walking I needed a little more. So I opened up my favorite Portuguese Rose and was perusing Netgalley when lo and behold......

This adaptation appeared.

As a young boy from the ages of five to eight I read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett at least three times a year. At five I may have had it read to me once or twice but I started reading very young. It quickly became one my very favorites and it was both magical and comforting to me.

This graphic novel/picture book is an adaptation by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld. The adaptation was sweetly done but a bit lacking and I would rate it three stars. The illustrations were lovely and varied and I can see it appealing to young children. I would rate the illustrations an excellent four stars. In the end there is some really interesting background on the book and author as well as a glossary.

I feel this would appeal as a read-along to the younger children or older children that avoid novels.
I would hope this good book would be enough incentive for the child to then go on to the Classic.

The Secret Garden is one of my favourite children’s books. I love the entire story (except for one part; more on that later) and all the characters, Dickon and Martha being my special favourites. So seeing the graphic version of this novel is a nostalgic experience.

You might already know the original story. Mary’s parents, who live in colonial India, die suddenly of cholera and she is shipped off to one of her distance uncles in England. While initially a spoiled brat, she is soon set right by the friendly maid Martha. Under her loving tutelage, Mary learns to enjoy the outdoors, find new friends and even love herself. The secret garden she discovers on the grounds is central to this changeover.

The book is quite charming and cute. It moves very quickly as there are many pages with only graphics and not much dialogue. Unfortunately, the story gets a few abrupt jumps at times and I can’t help feeling that chaptered sections would have worked better in explaining the sudden scene shifts.

While the illustrations of the garden and house are excellent, the children could have drawn in a cuter way. The book will still be appealing to all its readers because the story is en evergreen one that speaks of nature and its enjoyment. I hope this graphic novel spurs the children to read the classic book too.

What I have always hated in the original story is the colonial setting. While I am sometimes forgiving of the classic authors for being so racist and stereotyped in their thinking about “the natives”, I found it hurtful that the author Frances Hodgson Burnett had never even visited India and merely used whatever she had heard to create a picture of the Indian under British rule. So here comes the great news: the graphic version does away entirely with the Indian part of the story and begins with Mary travelling to her uncle’s house. The note by the author at the end of the book states that the Indian part has been skipped out as “it doesn’t do justice to the history of British oppression in colonial India.” Heck, yeah! I am usually against significant parts of the story being left out in the graphic version, but in this case, I wholeheartedly support this decision and am grateful to whoever took that creative call. A big THANK YOU. A extra half star to the book for this decision and the honest note mentioning the same. <3 I would have gone with 3.75 stars for the book but now I go with 4.25.

Thank you, NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute and quick read. The art is BEAUTIFUL and everything is very aesthetically pleasing, although I do wish the colors were more vibrant.

This book will be great for children, but I think that parents and older readers who may also decide to read it will enjoy it swell.

The adaptation brought a fresh and modernized perspective while still being reminiscent of the original. Reading this made me quite nostalgic as I have fond memories of reading the original as a child.

CW- death of family member, grief
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This graphic novel adaption of The Secret Garden was adorable! I loved the art style, and I feel as though many of the important parts of the book were still there. It would be a perfect way to introduce young readers to the classic.
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Again, the art style is just so wonderful! It is worth it to pick up this book just because of it! It is very whimsical and almost dreamy.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a cute, hearwarming story with adorable illustrations. Fantastic! I can't wait to see more by these authors.

A beautiful, highly simplistic version of a classic.
This is a great introduction to classic stories - the illustrations are really easy to follow and so gorgeous! It really enhances the beauty and magic of the Garden!
As it’s a graphic novel, a lot of details from the original book are missed or omitted, but a lot of the author’s decisions are explained in a note at the end. There is a glossary which will help young readers understand words they may not have come across before.
Overall, this is a wonderful graphic novel which opens up Classics to more readers!

The thing I most adored about this graphic novel is that it matched the scenic and gorgeous landscapes that I always imagined when thinking of the original text. Definitely, something that Burnett would be proud of.

I loved the secret garden, and the illustrations in this graphic novel were FANTASTIC! I loved having the pictures to go along with it, because when you read this book you imagine what it looks like.

A wonderful graphic novel describing a famous fable. Artwork is excellent with brave use of space and interplay of colours is eye-catching. Panels on pages are innovative.
It was a wonderful read. Itvis easy on the eyes with big fonts. It is soothing to glide through pages. I don't like long and congesed captions. So naturally it was a simple read.

“The Secret Garden” by F. H. Burnett is one of my most beloved children’s books of all time, so I couldn’t skip this graphic novel. The adaptation was written by Mariah Marsden whose other book “Anne of Green Gables” I loved very much and I sometimes dive into when in need to cheer up. “The Secret Garden” was no less enjoyable.
The illustrations by Hanna Luechtefeld are simply enchanting. Performed in muted gentle colours, they created a cozy, magical atmosphere, a world you would want to get lost in. They were so heartwarming and touching, I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages.
The story itself is so popular, that everyone is familiar with it more or less: through the book or an old movie adaptation (which was my favourite to watch as a child). I believe Marsden’s version did the novel justice. The nature is basically called “magic“ in the adaptation and looks like it too. The picturesque scenery of moors, wild flowers, trusting animals are so alive and breathing, it made me smile.
I guess more pages could be dedicated to developing the characters’ relationships and to the importance of making friends. The other thing I’d change in this graphic adaptation is its length, I wish it was much longer. On the other hand, it’s the right number of pages to keep kids engaged in the story.
I hope the additional information at the end of the book will strike a spark of curiosity in young readers’ minds and they will be interested in reading the novel itself or just spending some time outdoors in the company of birds and plants.

The Secret Garden is one of those stories which has beautiful moments and dark moments. The drawing style emphasizes the lighter side, but makes it work and effectively communicates it to younger readers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A lovely graphic novel based on the much-loved classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett. One of my favourite books as a child, I remember my feeling of awe as I read about the magical secret garden, tucked away behind four walls and forever locked with a secret key. I could smell and see the garden in my mind’s eye; the twisty, twiny weeded paths hidden behind the high stone walls, gradually blooming under the loving care of a special little girl and her helpers, into a magical fairy kingdom teeming with wonder and colour. Along the way, touching everyone in its path with its message of pure magic, the theme was clear - there is always a reason to hope, the possibility of re-birth, the comfort and heart-soaring promise of spring, and the dawning and power of transformation and a new day.

As a child, I loved grumpy Miss Mary, (portrayed beautifully here with her golden hair and sullen mouth), recognizing her as an orphan with a terrible past, heroically struggling to find her footing. And Dickon, the wild boy, tamer of animals, speaker to birds is captured perfectly with simple strokes and his cuddly menagerie of furry and feathered friends. And finally there is cousin Colin; spoiled, bed-ridden, terrifying ill of a wasting disease, (what we now know as tuberculosis) with little chance of survival. Hard to like, initially, Colin’s plight is fearful to any child, and in this rendition, the author and illustrator manage to capture his journey to hope lyrically and with great charm.

Although nothing can touch the magic for me of the original classic, this graphic novel is a book to treasure deeply for its beauty and simplicity, making this wonderful story accessible now to even younger readers, who will no doubt delight in the pictures, get lost in the story, and carry away a sense of wonder and delight from the experience.

On a final note, adults will enjoy it too - the illustrations are beautiful - wistful, ethereal, and muted in shades of teal, burnished pink and gold. (And don’t we all need another message of hope in this always challenging world.)

A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance review copy of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

This was an awesome adaptation of the classic story! I am a fan of the original, of course, and I love seeing any new version of this! This was no exception. The story is one that we know, but the art is what really brought it to life! It was beautiful. The style of the art really fit the story, and I just loved it! I can’t wait to see it in person! If you love The Secret Garden, you will love this!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

💚 Thank you, Net Galley, author, and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this beautifully illustrated graphic novel of The Secret Garden that will be available June 2021.

⚘The story was sweetly done, but anyone who has read the original version will notice a few differences, which left the overall storyline a bit lacking. The real review, in my opinion, is based on the artwork of the illustrator. I've never seen the artwork of Hanna Luechtefeld before, and this graphic novel was beautifully done. It's exactly how I pictured the novel in my mind when I read the original novel many years ago. I can definitely see this artwork appealing to young children. I would recommend this book as a read-along, or to a child who isn't interested in reading the actual novel itself. This would be a cute replacement.

I also really enjoyed the background on the book and author, and the glossary of terms included in the end.

⚘I gave this book five stars due to the illustration, but in regards to the actual story, I would probably give it three stars.

I've never read the original Secret Garden, but this graphic novel adaptation is so good it makes me want to. The piece is a beautiful exploration of friendship, nature, magic, and grief, told in exquisite hand-done done drawings that are so detailed and atmospheric. The graphic novel format allows the storytellers to zoom and focus the story on moments and details in a way that is so enticing. The book feels like a Victorian storybook with a fresh twist.

I found the story itself to be lacking to parts, especially when Mary Lennox didn't feel like a fully formed character and the story of Colin relied on ableist tropes. However, this is the fault of a century-old source text, and not the beautiful adaptation.

The storytellers chose to leave out the backstory of British colonialism in India, but do address it in a section in the back of the book on “Places and Spaces in The Secret Garden.” Also included in the back of the book is an overview on the life of the original author of The Secret Garden Frances Hodgson Burnett, and a glossary of terms including flora and fauna, all of which I found to be enriching supplements to the graphic novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC.

This is a beautiful way to introduce this classic to young readers! I loved the illustrations. There’s a beautiful contrast between the gloomy gothic feeling of the first part of the book, with the color and light of the garden.

I found this book charming and the artwork really helped tell the story in a way that young readers can appreciate it. Most have never even heard of land often called "the moors" let alone seen them. The artwork in this book helps them to get a glimpse of the land, being able to picture something helps to immerse themselves in the story. I also appreciated how the book has times where the artwork does the storytelling, there was not a need to use text to cover some of the art, it was enough on its own.

I think this is a great book that can introduce children to some of the classics their parents grew up on.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the chance to read this lovely book!

Though at first, Mary seemed unlikeable and fairly moody, she gradually starts to soften as she is introduced to nature. Along the way she uncovers secrets both inside and outside her uncle's manor.

This is beautiful, both in manner of storytelling and illustration. I've always wanted to read The Secret Garden ever since I found an excerpt of of it in my elementary textbook. Alas, I couldn't find a copy of it at all when I was that age. Bookstores weren't big in my area and I could not find it in our small town library.

If my younger self had found this earlier, they would have been overjoyed. The visual storytelling and the magical setting would have delighted them a lot. That is not to say I was not impacted by this graphic novel, quite the opposite, actually. I was amazed with the simplicity of the art style yet still being able to portray emotions and scenes with such clarity. The backgrounds simply take the cake for it, though, in my opinion. It really felt as if one were in a magical secret world when I was reading it.

I'd say this was a solid 5/5 stars for me. This is a beautiful retelling of the original novel. I highly recommend this if The Secret Garden was your childhood and you're looking to be hit with a wave of nostalgia or if you have any young ones at home.

I am not familiar with this classic but reading this book was so much fun. The illustrations is absolutely beautiful especially all of the flowers and the garden. This is such a fun and memorable read about surrounding by good company and the gorgeous surrounding of making the secret garden alive again. I would recommend other readers to read this graphic novel for those familiar and unfamiliar with this tale.

I was granted eARC access to The Secret Garden graphic novel adaptation by Mariah Marsden and Hannah Luechtefeld through NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

This graphic novel adaptation is all the important beats and dialogue of the original classic children's tale trimmed down to fit into 192 illustrated pages. This is a great option for younger readers, less confident readers, and less interested readers who still want or need to read The Secret Garden. It's both more entertaining and more accessible than reading the original text without losing anything that made the original what it is.

The art style reminds me of Madeline, but with epically expressive and hilarious facial expressions and a livelier colour palette, and I love it!

I loved this graphic novel depiction of The Secret Garden. I have yet to read the original work but have watched the movie countless times and this piece of art really captured all of the feelings the movie gives me. I think this is the perfect GN to start off Spring, it's so bright and full of greens and florals that I felt like I wanted to be in the book! I also think that this was the perfect length and depth for a children's GN, it covered all of the plot without hitting some of the darker parts too deeply that might have been hard visually for children. I also enjoyed the fact that the authors use the end of the book to talk about why they decided to not include pieces of the story and to ask questions and talk about the story and the plants within it! I think the style of the art and the colors perfectly captured the vibes of the original story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and, Andrews McMeel Publishing for my ARC!

I received an e-arc of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

The Secret Garden will forever be one of my favorite children's books so when I saw this graphic novel version I needed to read it.

While the art style isn't something that I typically go for in graphic novels, I do feel that it still fit the book rather well. It gave me a sort of Madeline vibes in the art style and definitely made me feel a bit closer to the time frame this story takes place. The graphic novel is a great new way to enjoy the beautiful story of The Secret Garden and I loved the facts that were included at the end of the graphic novel. Overall a wonderful new imagining of a beloved classic children's book.

Growing up I absolutely adored the Secret Garden. When I had the chance to read this via NetGalley I was very happy. This book is very colourful, and I can imagine a lot of kids reading this will enjoy finding the Secret Garden in this book. This book also includes an added glossary, which is handy for any terms or words one may not know.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ebook.

The Secret Garden is the second adaptation of a classic by Mariah Marsden that I read and I have to tell you that I fell in love with this book as I did with her Anne of Green Gables adaptation. What a delight this book was! I've always liked The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and this book really brings out the best things from the original - Mary's transformation over the book, the mysterious secret garden, Dickon - and it was all possible because of the style of illustration. Don't you just love those mini panels on all the pages?

I am going to buy this and all of Marsden's future adaptations (I really hope there will be more) for my daughter.

The secret garden was one of my favourite books growing up. I think it was one of the first ever chapters books I read. To see it as a graphic novel was so heartwarming and amazing. the art is absolutely incredible and a true masterpiece.

An adorable comic to introduce your younger reader to this classic. The origin of all grumpy girls opens up to the world in style. The illustrations are gorgeously cute and the adaptation kept the whole spirit of the work. A very nice addition to any girl's bookshelf.

The Secret Garden is one of my all-time favorite books, up there with Anne of Green Gables. I wasn’t sure if a graphic novel version would stand up to the original classic, but this book was as charming and enchanting as the original. The beautiful drawings told this lovely story in such a simple and beautiful way. I definitely felt all the warm fuzzies I felt reading the original. I would 100% buy this book for my shelf of children’s literature for my own kids.

I really enjoyed this. It is a great way of telling the original story. Although I know the story, I dont think I have read the book. I saw a dramatisation of this many years ago and reading this version has nudged me to read the original.

I thought the artwork was quite simple but that simplicity enabled the story to be told with the appropriate amount of text. I don't like my graphic novels to have a lot of prose. I like to be able to look at the artwork and hear the story through the pictures and this book manages to do this quite well.

I think this book will encourage both younger and older audiences to read the original. I fully intend to.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to an eARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The secret garden will always be a story close to my heart as I used to watch the movie on repeat with my Nana when I was little and this beautiful graphic novel really did justice on the story! The story was easy to follow and the illustrations were just beautiful. The depiction of nature was amazing and the illustrations really bought the characters and the garden to life!

I would definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of the secret garden and are looking for some beautiful illustrations to go along with it!

The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books when I was a kid and also the 1993 film was one of my all-time favorite movies. I adored this story with all my heart at one time and it's been quite some time since I have experienced it.

I have to say that this graphic novel version was absolutely beautiful. The illustrations were incredible, especially of the garden. The full two-page spreads are stunning. As an adaptation, it was really good from what I can remember of the story. I definitely will be picking up this book again soon.

I highly recommend this graphic novel for fans of this beautiful story and also to those that are new to the story. It was a great representation of a story that I have such fond memories of. I will definitely be picking up my own copy of this beauty.

*Thank you to Netgalley for my Advance Reader's Copy of this beautiful book. All opinions are my own*

Just completed the graphic novel The Secret Garden by Mariah Marsden and Hanna Luechtefeld. The story was a very stripped down text based on the original classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The illustrations were sumptuous. It was simply a pleasure to look at. I gave this 4 stars based on the illustrations.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Secret Garden by Mariah Marsden and Hanna Luechtefeld is a stunning and charming adaptation of the original Victorian children's book. I recommend it for all fans of the "younger" Studio Ghibli movies like The Secret Life of Arietty or Kiki's Delivery Service. It would make a nice addition to any children's graphic novel collection.

I remember reading The Secret Garden when I was a child. I remember being enchanted by the three main characters and the development of friendship between them. Here, the graphic novel expounds on all of the magic and fantasy that is present in the original story. The "secret garden" itself is given lush, beautiful colors with clear attention given to the plant life in the garden. The scenes in the garden and in Misselthwaite Manor look like a visual masterpiece and perfectly depict the slightly gothic atmosphere of Victorian England.

The characters themselves are what impressed on my mind when I was reading the original story, and here, they are brought to life by the illustrator. The character's expressions are charming and funny, similar to other children's graphic novels like The Babysitter's Club graphic novels. The story of how the three children discover each other and help each other to grow emotionally and spiritually is preserved and enhanced in this graphic novel. Overall, I highly recommend The Secret Garden to all children looking for a graphic novel. If your child is interested in a feel-good story set in Victorian England, you won't regret checking out this book.

I'm overwhelmed! This book is just so so good!
I love classics' adaptations into graphic novels, maybe because the reading experience is even more immersive.
Mary's successful attempts to bring the secret garden to live again, asking help from her friends, has made my heart melt. The way her pure heart affects the lives of those around her is moving.
This is a book I want to suggest to everyone: children and adults.

I received a free e-ARC from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Garden was one of my favourite classic stories growing up, so I was excited to read this graphic novel adaptation. I thought it stayed true to the spirit of the original work (although in a somewhat condensed format.) Some of the darker parts of the novel were glossed over, but a note was provided at the end about the colonisation of India, which I think is important to acknowledge.

I loved the art style, and it reminded me a lot of Madeline. I also liked how the colours were used to convey the atmosphere. Colin's room and Misslethwaite Manor, for example, were rendered in muted tones, and it contrasted with the brightness of The Garden when it was in full bloom.

I think this is a lovely adaptation, and certainly suitable for quite a young readership.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an e-ARC for an honest review.

I loved this graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden. I think that Mariah Masden did a great job making this classic into a graphic novel for all to enjoy. The Secret Garden has always been one of my favorites and it is great to see it come to live in art form. I loved the art style of the novel as well and it followed the story pretty well with a few changes here and there, but they were not major.

Ten-year-old Mary Lennox arrives at a secluded estate called the Misselthwaite Manor where her Uncle Craven lives on the Yorkshire moor. She’s shown to her room but she doesn’t like her new home even though the housekeeper Martha, has convinced her she’ll get used to it.

Martha tries to get Mary to do some chores in the house, but she can’t sew or knit 🧶. Mary, however, can read. Unfortunately the lady of the house, Mrs. Medlock keeps the library locked.

As she settles into her new home, Mary explores the estate grounds, makes friends with Dickon, a robin, and the gardener, Ben Weatherstaff. An interesting graphic novel. Would recommend.

Thank you to Mariah Marsden, Hanna Luechtefeld, NetGalley, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC of this book.

I really love this book! it feels very magical (the illustrations are VERY beautiful and helps to build the magical feels to the book)

I've never read secret garden before, so this is my first time reading about it. This book makes me want to read the original material now! That's great because reading classics has always been scary for me since the way it's written isn't very easy to read (English is not my first language). So this book makes it very accessible for people who are like me to read and discover it.

Mary is an orphan except her uncle has been found. She is going to live in his home. Mary doesn’t understand why she can’t see her uncle or check out the other rooms in the house. Eventually she goes outside to look at the gardens. One day she discovers a locked garden door. When she goes to ask the maid about it, the maid tells her no one can talk or go into that garden. The key has been thrown away. Mary does find the key and goes into the garden. It is an abandoned garden and gone wild. She decides to work on it. She meets a boy who can talk to animals when she leaves the garden. Later, she meets him again as her servant writes to her brother to buy and bring the seeds. Where will Mary grow the seeds? One night she hears a mysterious sound which the servant is answering Mary’s questing by telling her it’s the wind. She doesn’t believe it. Will she find out what makes the noise?

I read “The Secret Garden” that is the original book. I must say that while it is a delightful graphic novel, I think that some of the magic of the abbreviated story is missing. I love the colors and drawings of the graphic novel illustrations. They are done so perfectly for this story. I enjoyed the story.

I received an eARC of this title in return for an honest review.

I loved this adaptation of The Secret Garden. I thought it was accessible to its audience with all the notes afterwards. It’s a great way to introduce children to different words and biographies.

The story itself was very much written for children which is its intended audience. The story was watered down enough to keep the reader interested, but kept all the important aspects of the story.

I loved the artwork. I think it would even look better in print with the panels and full page art.

This was such a lovely read!
I don’t remember much from the original The Secret Garden, but this graphic novel can definitely be read and enjoyed by people who never read the original story.
The illustrations were absolutely beautiful and I absolutely recommend reading this!

What a lovely graphic novel version of The Secret Garden! I appreciate that the story was paired-down and streamlined and would make a good introduction to the work for an early reader. The illustrations were simple yet expressive and I enjoyed the full-page illustrations of the garden and grounds. I appreciated some of the choices the illustrator took with framing characters; adult characters were sometimes shown from a child's perspective. The book starts with a muted color palette that gives way way to more colors as the garden and characters come to life. After the story, the book includes an age-appropriate explanation of colonialism in India and pandemic that felt timely. In all, I look forward to purchasing a hard copy of this book to add to my library.

I loved revisiting this childhood favorite through a new genre. The imagery was beautiful and really added to the story. It's been so long since I last read The Secret Garden and I loved how the story felt like both an old friend and a new tale altogether. I cannot wait to share this with my nephew!

My initial thought was that the cover of The Secret Garden graphic novel was very pretty but once I looked inside, WOW! The illustrations throughout are even more stunning! With so much artistic detail, it shows that this graphic novel was a labour of love. This graphic novel follows the original story fairly closely but with a few modern changes that I really appreciated. I loved the additional information at the end, particularly the reasons why the author and illustrator made the changes they did.

I would highly recommend this graphic novel for all ages of The Secret Garden fans! I would also recommend the Anne of Green Gables graphic novel that was adapted by Mariah Marsden too.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I want to thank Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I haven't read the original book of The Secret Garden until i've tried this graphic novel. But it didn't stop me from falling in love with this book. I love the art style and it really suits to the theme of the story. If a child or early teenagers read this graphic novel I think they will also fall in love with the illustrations and everything. This book feels like giving me a warm embrace as I read further into the story. It makes my heart warm and I loved that.

This book talks about the little things in life that most people just overlooked and it made me appreciate those little things. It has message that is telling me that even just growing a flower, it is still magic.

As for Mary, the main character, I liked her defiance and stubborness, and I must tell you that it's not annoying. It's actually makes her character adorable to read. She is also curious and brave despite being an orphan. Over the cast of characters, I love each of their character developments. It's a little fast but still understandable since this is a graphic novel.

Overall, I rated this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I totally recommend this to readers of all ages. And I feel like this is the perfect book for children who you would like to get into reading. But even though you're an adult (like me) it still enjoyable to read and helps you find magic even in the little things.

Super cute illustrations and an abridged story make this adaptation ideal for middle grade readers and anyone interested in Burnett's classic novel.

Recommended for: middle grade+ readers

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Garden is such a magical classic. The illustrations in this version are magnificent. They paint a picture better than my imagination ever could. So grateful for the chance to re-experience this classic in a new light.

The classic novel of The Secret Novel turned into a stunning, beautiful graphic novel. The art style was simple but beautiful. It was very fast-paced leaving details out from the actual novel, however, the idea was still there.

3.5 stars

This was the fourth time I have read The Secret Garden (abridged and original) and it continues to get a solid middle-of-the-road rating from me. I do think that in order for you to really enjoy this book you will need to have read the original book first. The illustrator did a very good job with the illustrations. The scenes I imagined in my head were almost exactly how they were portrayed in this book.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was lovely! I haven't read the Secret Garden in awhile, and reading this graphic novel makes me feel a tad nostalgic. I also really enjoy the art- I love how the illustrator depicts the flora and fauna. It's so beautiful!

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley!

4.5 // This book was adorable! The setting was ethereal, the art was gorgeous and fitting for the story, and of course the story of the Secret Garden was captivating, This book can easily be enjoyed by all age groups, however it particularly succeeds in making a classic with older English more palatable to younger audiences. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, and atmospheric read!

I'm going to preface this review with the fact that I have never read The Secret Garden prior to this graphic novel and I think this is a great way to introduce people to the story.

This was such a quick, easy read filled with illustrations that whisk you away from reality. At first, I wasn't sure about the dreary illustrations toward the beginning of the novel but after seeing the colorful garden I realized it was intentional and very well done. As someone who is still relatively new to the graphic novel genre there were some pages with so many panels that I was unsure of the reading order but I think that says more about me than the book itself.

If you're looking for a whimsical, nostalgic graphic novel this is for you.

A childhood favourite brought to life with gorgeous illustrations. This book is a joy and delight for both the long-time lovers of the story and those who are just discovering it. Recommended!

The Secret Garden was one of the first classic novels I read when I was younger and is definitely one of my favorites. This graphic novel isn't as detailed as the book itself but I feel like it really manages to capture the main characters well. However, I wish there was more of Mary's uncle and of Dickon. It not having as much details impacted the story telling in some areas, in particular Mary's backstory, but I assume it was glossed over a bit because it is kind of sad and dark and this is a children's graphic novel. I wish more plotlines had also been explored. This was a very comforting and heart warming short read and I really enjoyed the way it brought me back to my childhood. The art is simply gorgeous and I love the colors.

The Secret Garden was a huge favourite of mine as a child.
I loved the idea of a garden that no one else could enter with gorgeous flowers and such mystery! It was also one of the first books I can remember having a child in a wheelchair. I have a cousin with cerebral palsy whose been confined to a wheelchair almost all his life I found this to be a very important point to note in my teenage years (my cousin is almost 10 years younger than me). This is one of those books like: Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and others where I tread carefully with re-tellings or new formats as they hold a special place in my heart from when I was young. However I will admit that one of my own nieces (currently 8 yrs old) loves reading but tells me that graphic novels are "the best". As a comic collector I don’t disagree with her. And yet oddly, I feel like classics should be classics and remain in novel format most days. But in the interest of possibly having my niece and her sister's favourite medium to share The Secret Garden story I gave this adaptation a shot.

True to the original story, the sentiment is, that being outdoors, amongst gorgeous lowers, sunshine, birds and wildlife can only be positive. Additionally the bonds of friendship and how important it can be to be friendly to everyone; regardless of their station in life or if they ‘report’ to you. This is an important lesson for children (and everyone) to learn and be reminded of. I always remember my father telling me that ‘you never know who your next boss will be’; so try not to alienate anyone. Personally I’m not always very good at it (lol); and so it’s a good reminder.

The artwork is very simple and cute. It felt like it gave it the ‘older’ feel that this story has always held for me. I like that it’s clearly the same time period (as witnessed by the clothing and wheelchair). The copy of this story I kept from my childhood was actually highly illustrated on glossy paper. Similar to the graphic novel the colours in the home were muted; but within the garden (and most of outdoors) were vibrant. I also liked how many of the lines used in this format are the exact same as the novel. Making this a vey true to the book adaptation.
An excellent option to bring the younger generation into a story that still has a core message relevant today.

<I>Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.</I>

I received a free digital ARC of this book through NetGalley. This book is a great way to get kids connected with classics. I hope she continues to adapt children’s classics into graphic novels. I’m really hoping she does Little Women.

This was one of my absolute favorite stories growing up. I saw, and loved, every movie version made. To see it reimagined in this way is beautiful, and dare I say magical. The illustrations are gorgeous and everyone should read it.

I have very fond memories of The Secret Garden from my childhood. It's one of those classics that stays with you forever. Seeing such a lovely book transformed into a graphic novel is super awesome! This one does a lovely job giving new form to a classic. I recommend both!

Its been a long time since i read this book. Reading this graphic novel brought back alot of memories. Love the unique drawing style and the portrayal of our main characters. It ended way too soon though would have loved a few more (actually a lot more) pages.

Review to come June 2nd on goodreads/blog.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

One of my favourite books when I was younger and so I had to get the graphic novel when I saw it on Netgalley. I was curious how the story would be adapted and how much changed from the original. Well quite a bit. Haha, the whole India part is left out and Mary is definitely not so much of a brat as I remember her from when I read the original during my childhood.

Meet Mary, a tiny little girl who lost her parents and is now struggling with the loss. I guess with the India parts away, it changed things for me. Whereas I remember her as quite spoiled and grumpy with a dash of loss, here it seemed more that she was bratty and grumpy because of the loss, not because she was spoiled. I really liked that change. It made me like her much more and had me rooting for her. Hoping that she would find the garden soon and discover the fun and joy of growing something, discovering animals and flora.

I loved seeing her bond with the servants, getting quite close with Martha. Who wasn't impressed that much by Mary's grumpiness (she also clearly just saw a little girl who was lost and alone). I loved that they had fun chats, and that Martha bought a present for Mary so she could have fun.

The secret garden was just wonderful and I especially loved seeing it bloom and get cleaned up a bit. It still held its wild magic.. but it also become something else. I loved seeing Mary and Dickon garden, plant flowers, pick away the things that are dead. Later on they get help and things get even better.

We also meet Colin, who was definitely NOT my favourite character for most of the book. I can kind of see where he is coming from in regards to his attitude. A father who doesn't care, a mother who died, doctors and servants who talk about death. I was worried he would spoil the garden. I was worried he would just ruin things. But in the end he just needed a friend, friends even. Something to do. Someone to play with. A garden to take care of. I love how he transformed and how his attitude changed.

I love seeing everyone bloom. Mary got much more happy, but she also helped out her uncle and her nephew. The garden got revived. Animals glitter. There is magic in the air. At times I was just tearing up, especially during the last few pages. Those were so well done. Making me smile and tear up.

The art was just so pretty and I love the style and how well it fitted with the story and the characters.

All in all, I would highly recommend this one to everyone. I am kind of eager to read the original novel again, because it has been ages!

This was a lovely graphic novel. I've never read The Secret Garden, but the movie was a big part of my childhood; I loved getting to revisit the world, especially with the phenomenal illustrations by Hanna Luechtefeld. It was moody and moving, exactly the escape I was looking for. A perfect intro to the classics for kids, but I'd recommend it for adults too!

After reading this I think I do prefer the book because a lot was cut for time. You still get this beautiful story, but a more condensed version so it does make it great for younger readers who maybe don’t want to bother with the actual novel.

Though with the condensed version I do feel like we lose a bit of Mary’s character. We still get visually her struggle of losing her family and feeling like no one wants her, but the whole ending is cut short so we don’t see her come to terms that the new people in her life aren't going anywhere. I think if it was allowed just a couple more pages we could’ve gotten those scenes, especially the ones where she’s with her cousin.

The art however in this book is honestly so cute, I love the simplicity of it, and when there was a full spread it just looked so good. The garden scenes are of course the best because there’s so much small details put throughout the page. I think this is a cute and fun adaptation of a classic that I’ve seen and highly recommend if you want to just know the story finally.

This was such a joyous and wonderful read, I loved it!

The art style is so charming and delightful, I really need to check out more works by this illustrator.

The graphic novel wasn't as detailed as a book but it was pretty decent.

I would recommend it to younger children, they would certainly enjoy the story and maybe gain an interest in reading a book someday.

All in all, a lovely graphic novel.

Lovely graphic novel version of The Secret Garden. The illustrations are gorgeous and completely embody the spirit of the book. I did a read aloud with my five-year-old daughter (she's seen the movie from the 90's) and she adored it. She pored over the full-page illustrations and looked forward to bedtime when we were reading it. A must-by for libraries and children's bookstores.

So pretty and so sweet! A really quick read for all ages. I haven't read the original The Secret Garden so I can't compare the two (I do intend to read the novel eventually) but I really enjoyed slowly flipping through this graphic novel. The art is simple and cute and I'd love to have this in my collection just so I could flip though it again and again.

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m really digging all the new graphic novel adaptations that have been coming out. Embarrassed to say I’ve never read the original Secret Garden Novel, but was blown away with this adaptation!

The story revolves around a young girl whose been orphaned, so she clearly has some emotional trauma. She’s sent to live with a distant uncle who lives on a Moor. It’s during her stay there that she opens up and truly begins to be herself again, and so does everyone else around her.

Before her arrival tragedy had struck the manor, resulting in the “Secret Garden” being locked away for years. She of course with a little magic uncovers the garden and brings color both figuratively and literally back into everyone’s world.

This was a breathtaking story, I couldn’t put it down. I recommend it for all ages, it teaches us to value what we have and to be kind, also that sometimes people just need a little love and kindness.

I know that some people had trouble with the art style, to each their own. I personally found it to be perfect for this story, it wasn’t over the top but just the right amount of simplicity. Truly breathtaking.


Thank you to NetGalley and the amazing publishers/authors for giving me a chance to read & review such a wonderful story.

The Secret Garden by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld was such a fun read! It brought me back to a very cozy time during childhood where you enjoy the outdoors and find yourself in nature while enjoying spring. The illustrations were stunning and were able to make me feel as if I were in the book with the main character and traveling with her. This was a nice update to the original The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book can be enjoyable for many age groups and can be a great read for the Spring time!

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

The Secret Garden is one of my favorite stories. I remember watching the 1993 movie when I was in second grade and loving it. I didn't read the book until I was much older, but when I did, I was sorry I hadn't read it sooner. Seeing the story I love in a graphic novel format was so exciting to me. It made me feel nostalgic and happy and honestly I'm ready to flip through the whole thing again even though I just finished it. I fear there may be a few things not properly understood by people who read this without having read the original story, but I think it holds up well despite that

I think I just love the original too much. The illustrations are beautiful, and the core of the novel are there. My favorite line is even there (Might I have a bit of earth?. But it feels like so much is left out. New generations will love this. It's such a perfectly condensed version of an enduring classic. I was able to read an advanced copy thanks to NetGalley

This is a decent adaptation of The Secret Garden that will delight another generation of children. The adaptor has chose to remove the parts of the book set in India, concentrating on after Mary arrives at Misselthwaithe Manor. That removes the problematic views of the British rule of India in that time period. Through the pictures and story, you can feel the magic of the Secret Garden, and this is a great way to introduce readers to the world. Muted colors gives the book an antique feel, and the pictures will appeal to everyone both young and old.

this graphic novel adaptation took the best parts of frances hodgson burnett's secret garden and brought them to colourful life, much like mary, colin and dickon with the garden.

it portrays a strong sense of the interconnectedness between life, nature, and relationships with beautiful and expressive art. the flow between the illustrations and words completely immersed me in the magic of the story, even in its segmented format.

i’m happy the racist, colonial themes were left out and appreciated the detailed explanations and definitions in the back. it was executed flawlessly for its intentions, in my opinion. i can’t wait to introduce this version to my young daughters before they read the classic and watch the movie.

Mariah Marsden, previously adapted Anne of Green Gables, so I was excited to be given a chance to read the graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden!

While the Secret Garden doesn't hold quite the same place in my heart. It's a story I know well from my childhood.
I always felt it was dark and quite melancholy, with small sparks of happiness, lightheartedness, and overall light shining down on characters growing into themselves, instead of the roles they've felt assigned.
It's wonderful to see the character growth and lessons translated well in this adaptation.

Plus, you know nature was the real star of this show and did they shine! Especially through the soft artwork that literally sparkled at times.

Easy read for a single sitting, just under 200 pages. Felt myself wanting more.

** Thank you so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley, providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. **

The storyline and the graphics are pretty cute. Most of the panels are scenes and greenery Delhi have compels well with the story since it’s about a secret garden. The ending is really nice as well. Totally would recommend kids to read this.

This was such a beautiful story, I'm so glad he didn't die!
And the illustrations were splendid!
One of the best graphic novels I have ever read!

This graphic novel is amazing, it will warm your heart if you need to take time away from the reality of nowadays and transition to a very beautiful place and story.

The colours change with how the characters feel. The graphics in the novel are beautiful to look at. The story is very good, it keeps you wanting to know what happens next...

The way it tells the story through the moods in scenes but also in colours is something one can feel through it. The way our main protagonist grows as a character will warm your heart. The way the people around her affect her but also she affects them in her way without changing her personality as a whole is excellent.

There are so many things one can see if they keep their eyes and heart open for change.

If you're thinking whether you'd read this book or not, I'll say just go read it; you will feel very good from inside out I promise. 😃

For me, in this bizarre time, I felt happy after reading this book; it made my heart full with its story, not just my eyes.

Really loved this graphic novel! It's a short, light read and the art was stunning! It brought back fond memories of reading The Secret Garden when I was younger. This would be a perfect first introduction to the book for not as advanced readers. Again Lovely illustration style and lovely retelling. Highly recommend.

Being alive is the Magic!
I LOVED this graphic novel adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved tale. The illustration is cute and the artstyle is have classical vibes.

The story is also very beautiful and heartwarming. I can feel the magic in secret garden, It gave me a nice feeling while reading the story of Marty, Dickon, and Colin enjoying their time in their secret garden. Very lovely! ❤️

3/5

I have never read the original, so I can't speak on how this graphic adaption compares to it. What I can say is that it was absolutely adorable. The Illustrations were amazing and just pretty, there's really no other word to describe it. I do think that the problems were solved a little bit too easily, but for younger kids or actually anyone who's just looking for a quick story it is perfect.

This was a beautiful and gorgeous re-telling. The illustrations were wonderful, and my 9 year. old daughter breezed right through it. I loved that the illustrator kept to the classic tale, while still introducing bits like Dickon and Martha's mother. This version did not dwell too much on the tragic deaths Mary's parents or Colin's mother, but still managed to convey the children's loneliness.

It is a perfect introduction to the classic, and the illustrations remind me of Madleine. I cannot wait to purchase the hardcover to keep as a part of our home library.

I really enjoyed the art and look of this book as much as I enjoyed reading it! I love this push to make classics graphic novels- what an amazing way to discover books all over again!

Hopefully this will encourage more kids (and adults) to pick up classic literature, and to enjoy the immense talent it takes to make graphic novels. I absolutely love this book and cannot wait to get a hard copy for my son.

This graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden was absolutely charming. The illustrations, the colors, the growing life and friendship between the characters, loved it!

This was a very sweet story about family, making friends and healing. I never read the original book so I cannot say how faithful the adaptation is, but I felt that it captured the heart of the story well. The graphic novel is clearly done by people who know how to capture moments moods well and it was a very smooth read. Recommended to anyone who is looking for an uplifting, light read.

What an absolutely beautiful adaptation of this classic children's story. I really loved the illustrations and the story felt complete in this format in a way that was very cleverly done. Charming and magical.

(netgalley arc)

I have not read the novel before, therefore I went into this without any prior knowledge or expectations.

If you are looking for a soothing, adorable read, this graphic novel is certainly a very good choice. The dialogues and character interactions warmed my heart.

The art is beautiful, especially when it comes to the flowers and animals...the secret garden felt truly magical, the artist did a great job bringing it to life.

I truly appreciate the last part of the novel as it elaborates on the historical and social context of the author and book. Especially today, problematic issues have to be thematized and discussed openly which this book does.

I previously loved Marsden’s adaptation of “Anne of Green Gables” and it was lovely revisiting her art.

A tale retold with lovely pictures and with minimal words to make it easy enough for young readers and still accurate and interesting for big kids. I fell in love with The Secret Garden when I was young and I was hoping to find a book about it to share with my own children at an even younger age to get them interested in nature. I will certainly be purchasing a copy for my collection. Beautiful and magical!

Do you ever get that feeling when you see that a beloved story is being adapted, and you worry it isn’t going to do it justice? Well the @andrewsmcmeel graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden is absolute perfection, so no worries here! Next to the 90’s movie adaptation with Maggie Smith as Medlock, this adaptation knocked it out of the park. I just reread the original classic this year too, so I am well versed on all of the details.

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This graphic novel has beautiful, whimsical, and detailed illustrations that draw you in. There is enough actual text to convey the original storyline without it being loaded down with text, and to be approachable for even the most reluctant readers.

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If you love this classic as much as I do, then you need to check this one out when it come out next month! It is an absolutely beautiful adaptation that will leave you as happy and enamored as the original.

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Thank you to @andrewsmcmeel and @netgalley for the gifted review copy.

A beloved classic with a new twist! I love graphic novels! I don’t know why I shied away from them for so long. To me, they are like comic books on steroids. And the illustrations are simply beautiful! A whole book with so much beautiful artistry on every page. It’s a little like being a kid again for me, if I’m being honest!

Hanna Luechtefeld has done an outstanding job of bringing the story to life through pictures. Each page was worthy of taking extra minutes to study the details of the artwork!

Mariah Marsden did a wonderful job of adapting the story to a graphic novel platform. Easy to understand and enjoyable for all ages.

If you haven’t given graphic novels a try, this is the perfect one to begin with!

Thank you to #AndrewsMcMeelyPublishing and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

LOVE IT.
I SIMPLY LOVE IT.
AMAZING
The illustrations are good. The story MY GAWD.
Sending love from Mexico.

This was a wonderful graphic novel adaptation of the classic story. The artwork was absolutely beautiful. The style was fitting, the palette used was perfect for the story, and I love how many illustrations went onto the next page.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a super sweet read!
Here's why you need to read it too!

🌺A graphic novel interpreted from the much-loved children's classic!
🌻The illustration is simply superb!
🌼It was a wonderful way to refresh my memories of this story!
🌷Wonderful morals provided via the characters' arcs!
🌱The themes of friendship, love (romantic, platonic, and familial), were done really well!
🌸It was an overall very refreshing read because of the aspect of nature that was brought in!
🌹Since it was also a graphic novel, it was quite short.

🌲🌿🌴🌳🍂🍁🍃
And since it was all about a secret garden, here's a beautiful garden for you all!

I think that this is a great graphic adaptation of this classic that would go great in any children's room. I loved the illustrations and the adaptation of the story. You can't really go wrong with this one!

I absolutely adored this graphic novel adaptation of The Secret Garden. I loved the original book and story, and the gorgeous illustrations certainly add to it even more. That magical feeling of the garden was depicted beautifully.

Normally I don't enjoy graphic novels that have very little text, because I feel that part of the story is missing, but I didn't experience that here so much. It might be because I was familiar with the tale already of because I was pulled in by the beauty of the illustrations. I especially loved the pages that had all these little drawings to get a feel of the scene, so pretty! I could just pribt out these pages and hang them on my wall.

That being said, I do still recommend either reading the original book first or combining it with the graphic novel to experience the full impact of it.

This is a great retelling for a child more interested in graphic novels than regular novels or even classics. This retelling sums up all the best parts of The Secret Garden in an easy yet still magical way to read. The way it told the story in pictures held my interest and was beautiful. The backgrounds had more details than the characters but there was no problem with it. Some of the details of the classic story were glazed over but I'm not complaining because the core of the story is still there. I would recommend this to children wanting something new to read.

It is a beautiful book and full of expression.
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The story is adapted to fit the vignettes, but the essence of the story is found between the drawings and the use of different tones.
I liked how art served as a tool to express the different moments and feelings of history. As the flowers begin to bloom, the colors come alive and the book has that look of the story that have with every word.
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I think it is an ideal book for children although I enjoy it a lot as an adult, is a must have in all library
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Thanks to Andrew McNeel Publishing, for give me this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review

This was such a sweet adaptation of the original. I appreciated the author's note on why she left out certain aspects of the original book and loved the glossary in the back as well. I love the story of The Secret Garden and felt the illustrations did an amazing job of capturing the essence of the story.

This is a lovely comic adaptation of The Secret Garden. I especially appreciated the "movement" from panel to panel, giving a sense of restfulness and space to the outdoors in the story. The illustrations were beautiful and evocative of the English countryside in a way that pulls the reader in. I also loved that the creators included notes on why they made certain editing choices in this adaptation along with more information about colonization. I would be most likely to recommend this to 1st-7th graders, depending on their individual reading and interest levels.

Such a cute rendition of a classic, with beautiful illustrations all throughout the book. Thanks again to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.

If you’ve read the classic story, you’ll enjoy reading this graphic novel version that follows Mary all the way to Misselthwaite Manor, where you’ll meet some new friends and a secret just outside the manor! The adapter of this book is also the same person that adapted the “Anne of Green Gables” graphic novel, and Mariah Marsden does a fantastic job (again)! I just recently read the original story earlier this year, so seeing this copy on NetGalley made me excited for there to be a graphic novel version, so you bet I’ll be adding this one to my forever collection (and it releases on June 15th) 😊

Mary Lennox is not an easy-going child. She has high expectations of the adults around her even though she has just been taken in by her uncle following the death of her parents. The giant estate is mysterious and the servants friendly. There is an odd wailing at night that she is warned to stay away from, but she is determined to find the source, much like she is determined to find her way into the locked garden on the estate.

The Secret Garden, the 1987 Hallmark movie, was one of my favorite movies to watch over and over again as a child. The mystery, the beautiful countryside, the grouchy girl who grows pleasant, and the ailing boy who just needed someone to love him were the perfect combination for my imagination. I did read the book at some point, but the movie is what truly captured my heart. This graphic novel captured it again. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story holds the same intrigue for me. I can see, however, that for readers new to the story, there may be too many gaps they can't fill in on their own the way I can.

I recommend this book for graphic novel lovers and fans of The Secret Garden!

A wonderful adaptation of the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The art enhances the classic story of spoiled,. mean, terrible, neglected rich girl Mary Lennox and her snotty, sickly cousin and the healing power of going outside in the garden, playing in the dirt, being nature. If you enjoyed the original book or the 1992 film you will not be disappointed in the graphic novel. Great for kids and adults.

A graphic novel adaptation of the classic story of Mary, an orphan girl who is sent to live with her uncle, and finds her bitterness and sadness turned into hope and kindness by her interactions with a housemaid, the housemaid’s brother, a locked garden, and a relative she isn’t supposed to know exists. All are changed for the better by their time together in the garden.

Having loved what Marsden did with her Anne of Green Gables graphic novel adaptation, I had high hopes for this. And they proved warranted. I really liked this a whole lot better than the original as it makes some of the melodrama more succinct, and still conveys the full power of the message of the story. The art style really fits, and many will appreciate that Marsden and others involved in the creation of this graphic novel chose to cut out the India aspect of the original and some racist sentiments (Marsden talks about this in the back of this book). There’s also a brief bio of Frances Hodges Burnett’s life in the back of the book that was interesting to read. It helps enlighten readers about some of the inspiration for the original author and her most famous stories. Highly recommended to graphic novel fans, and those who want to read the classics but may not have the high reading level or patience for the full novel.

Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. The deaths of Mary’s parents and aunt in the past are mentioned, but not shown. No violence.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a pre-published version of this book from NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to provide a sincere and honest review.

This is a wonderful rendition of Frances Hodgson Burnett's book. Marsden and Luechtefeld have created a version of the classic story that is so beautiful, and so easy to understand, that even young readers will want to read this book. Although this is an old story, the illustrations allow the reader to assume that this is a modern tale. Adult readers interested in modern retellings of classic literature will also find this book a necessary collector's item.

This was so lovely. The Secret Garden is one of my favourite books of all time, and this is such a beautiful adaptation. The artwork is ethereal and gorgeous, and has a beautiful way of eliciting the emotions that the characters feel, especially Mary. While it would also serve as a great introduction to Burnett's story, I think those who would most get joy out of reading this are those who are already in love with the story. It's familiar and comforting, but also is a fresh new way to experience the book we love with our whole hearts. I also especially loved the changes the author chose to make to the story, in particular the elimination of Mary's time in British India. It doesn't change the heart of the story at all, and they provide a thorough explanation (in a way that children may understand) why it is not crucial to Mary's story and why it was removed due to the harmful aspects of India's colonisation. Well done.

The was a cute version of the original rendition. It is such a sweet story that takes you into a magical world. Great for a middle grade read.

This is a very simple version of the Secret Garden. Now I haven't read the Secret Garden in 30 years so it was a nice reminder. I still enjoyed the story, I appreciated the notes at the end of the book about how they changed the story and why and the research about the author. I can see this being a big hit with my younger students. I will be buy it for my library! While the lack of information takes a little from the book it is still really good and a heartwarming book.

The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, Hanna Luechtefeld
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
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Description from NetGalley…
Ten-year-old Mary Lennox arrives at a secluded estate on the Yorkshire moors with a scowl and a chip on her shoulder. First, there’s Martha Sowerby: the too-cheery maid with bothersome questions who seems out of place in the dreary manor. Then there’s the elusive Uncle Craven, Mary’s only remaining family—whom she’s not permitted to see. And finally, there are the mysteries that seem to haunt the run-down place: rumors of a lost garden with a tragic past, and a midnight wail that echoes across the moors at night. 
 
As Mary begins to explore this new world alongside her ragtag companions—a cocky robin redbreast, a sour-faced gardener, and a boy who can talk to animals—she learns that even the loneliest of hearts can grow roots in rocky soil.
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Thank you to @netgalley @andrewsmcmeel for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Pretty illustrations. The Secret Garden is one of my favourite books of all time. So, any edition I find, I try to read. This abridged, illustrated edition was lovely. It’s a great way to introduce young readers to this book and to great classics. I really like the colour palettes of this graphic novel. And a great bonus at the back of the book was information about the life of Frances Hodgson Burnett and the “Places and Spaces in The Secret Garden.”

I will start by saying that I have never read the Secret Garden. I have never really been interested in reading about it but this graphic novel makes me want to pick it up. The story was sweet and the artwork was beautiful. It really made me want to go find my own secret garden somewhere. I really enjoyed this cute little story,
Also thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an E-ARC.

A beautiful spin of the original story.
I loved the story as a kid, I read it so many times until I lost my copy.
The graphics were nice and I found the arrangement of some certain things. It really brought back some really fond childhood memories.
Though I did not remember Mary being this spoilt.
Then the acknowledgement of the original author was beautiful and the discussion of conialism in India was a fine addition.
All in all the graphic artist deserves some serious applause.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this eARC copy for review!

I have never actually read The Secret Garden but it has been on my TBR for a really long time. However, sometimes I find that I can really struggle to read a lot of classic books. One of my goals for 2021 is to read more classics and books out of my comfort zone so this was a perfect reason to read this graphic novel.

What really made me choose to want to read this book was the gorgeous cover. The art style throughout the whole book is stunning and it really made it so easy to follow this story.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who either already loves the classics or to those who are trying to learn how to enjoy classics!

I read the book and watched the movie when I was very young . I can hardly remember the plot exactly. But this graphic novels brings back a lot of memories.
From this book I learned what friendship really means. And how important it is.
The Secret Garden is a book about many secrets. Good secrets that in the end it is good to be exposed.
I love how the main characters complimented each other. It was at first a bumpy ride but in the end all of them found each others’ strengths.
This book is suitable for all ages.
Live the illustrations so much. Beautiful in deed

I don't know if this graphic novel was a good adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, since I've never read the book, but I love it! The plot, the characters, it's a simple story but it's so emotional at the same time.

The illustration style really helped give life to these characters: their expressions are adorable, specially Mary and Colin when they are angry. The soft lines, the colors, it all matched well with the plot and made The Secret Garden even more engaging to read. It was a page-turner to me, but this is no news, since I love books with children as central characters.

The secret Garden is a story about loneliness, healing and found family, and the ending was the perfect conclusion for it.