In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea

In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea is book by Eliza Westfield that was published in February 2025. It's a travel guide that introduces readers and travelers to Prince Edward Island, Canada, the setting of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Published by Boat Nook Press, the book is 118 pages long.

The book is part of Westfield's three-book series called "HerStory Travels: In the Footsteps of Literary Heroines." The other two books in the series are: Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little Women at Home: A Journey Through Orchard House, Concord, and the Legacy of Louisa May Alcott.

I took a look at the book's reading sample at Amazon and was excited to notice that the author cites my webpage. 


Here is the description of the book:

Whether you grew up reading the Anne of Green Gables book series, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, or you loved the popular Canadian Anne of Green Gables movies from the 80s or the more recent Japanese pop hit Anne of Green Gables anime TV series, you have probably dreamed of seeing Lucy Maud Montgomery’s enchanting world of Avonlea and idyllic 19th century farmhouse with your own eyes!

Well, let’s take a trip to beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada! You will explore the rolling fields, charming farming villages, and iconic historic sites near Cavendish that the endearing little red-haired girl Anne Shirley called home.

Join veteran literary homesite traveler Eliza Westfield In the Footsteps of Anne, as you wander through Green Gables Heritage Place, stroll beneath the whispering trees of Lover’s Lane, and gaze across the shimmering Lake of Shining Waters. Plus, you will learn all the fun and exciting activities that PEI has to offer, including world-class seafood restaurants, hiking, kayaking, fishing and several of the best golf courses in Canada!

In this illustrated Anne of Green Gables and Prince Edward Island travel guide, you will love:

• Enthralling looks behind the scenes of the writing of Anne of Green Gables and where author Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration from, with many fascinating facts about the area that became the world of Avonlea - and places you can visit now near Cavendish, PEI
• Insider information on each tourist attraction from the perfect time of the year to visit each site, to when the very popular festivals happen, to ticketing information and what you MUST do at each stop
• The vital locations that every Anne of Green Gables fan has to experience, from the period-accurate 1890s Avonlea schoolhouse to the Lake of Shining Waters, a once-in-a-lifetime place for reflection and romance!
• Other fun family vacation activity ideas near each attraction, so you can plan an entire weekend vacation or build a whole week’s itinerary

Whether you’re planning on joining the 125,000 tourists that flock to PEI each year to relive the magical tale of Anne of Green Gables, or you will explore them from the comfort of your home, you will love In the Footsteps of Anne. The book highlights Anne’s indomitable spirit and love for kindred spirits that continue to shine like a bright beacon of inspiration in the pages of Montgomery’s first bestseller and in the landscapes and historical sites of Prince Edward Island.

Will you embark on an unforgettable trip to modern-day Avonlea and discover the true inspiration for the Anne of Green Gables story that still exists in fabulous Prince Edward Island? Enjoy the adventure!

Here is the write-up describing the book on its back cover:

Step into the enchanting world of Avonlea and follow in the footsteps of Anne Shirley and Canada's beloved author, L.M. Montgomery.

In The Footsteps of Anne brings to life the cherished landscapes that inspired Montgomery's timeless Anne books, inviting readers and travelers alike to explore the rolling fields, charming villages, and iconic sites that Anne called home.

Whether you're a lifelong admirer of Anne or an eager explorer, this book is your ideal guide to discovering the enchanting beauty of Prince Edward Island-a place where storybook charm and real-life wonder seamlessly blend throughout every season.

The rich heritage of Prince Edward Island beckons and invites travelers on a journey to Avonlea to follow in the footsteps of Anne and relive its magic.

Welcome to Anne's world!

ISBN-13: 978-1069118554


Image credit:
Book cover of In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea.

Purchase and read In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea:


Created October 6, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Food & Wine on Prince Edward Island and Lobster

In July, Wendy Pramik wrote an article for Food & Wine entitled "On This Canadian Island, Lobster Is More Than a Meal – It’s a Way of Life." It's all about Prince Edward Island and lobster. She writes, "I haven’t come to relive storybook memories. I want to see how lobster, once considered poor people’s food, has become a regional symbol – and how it still connects people across the island."

Wendy Pramik visits several restaurants, including Dalvay-by-the-Sea, known to Anne of Green Gables fans as the White Sands Hotel, where executive chef Jamie Power serves lobster pho (yum!). She enjoyed a lobster roll sampler plate at Fin Folk Food (pictured above), the Lobster Thermidor at Sea Rocket, a seafood bake at Peake’s Quay in Charlottetown, and a meal at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers.

It's the kind of article that makes your stomach grumble and your heart miss Prince Edward Island. I remember when I visited years ago, my husband and I ate freshly caught lobster on the beach, prepared by a local lobster fisherman. It was such a special meal. I'd love to go back one day and try out some of the restaurants mentioned in Pramik's article.

Link:
On This Canadian Island, Lobster Is More Than a Meal – It’s a Way of Life by Wendy Pramik, Food & Wine, July 22, 2025.

Image credit:
Photograph of a Prince Edward Island Lobster Roll Sampler Plate from "On This Canadian Island, Lobster Is More Than a Meal – It’s a Way of Life" by Wendy Pramik, Food and Wine.

Created October 1, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Cavendish Literary Festival

The first-ever Cavendish Literary Festival is taking place on September 26–28, 2025. The event aims to gather readers, writers, and storytellers "to connect over books, share their big ideas, and let their imagination wander in the very place that inspired the iconic works of L.M. Montgomery."

The three-day festival includes a literary walk through Cavendish, as well as workshops on bringing a novel to life, getting published, and journaling. There are talks by several authors, including one on Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery and another on food writing. The festival also includes sessions on mindful movement for creative writers and flow yoga. There will be an open mic stage for writers, poets, and storytellers.

Here is the event description, according to the Festival's official website:

"Readers, writers, and storytellers are invited to join us for the first-ever Cavendish Literary Festival.

The festival features three delightful days of intimate events, including workshops, author talks, and wellness retreats, all set within Cavendish’s charming countryside, with venues no more than ten minutes apart.

In this inaugural year, we are proud to celebrate local, regional, and national voices who shaped our cultural identity and inspire and support new writers just beginning their journey.

Come find kindred spirits, feed your creativity, and celebrate the transformative power of literature."

You can purchase a festival weekend pass, which includes several events, or purchase individual tickets on the Festival's website. Tickets for the "Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish," an activity of interest to Anne of Green Gables fans, must be purchased separately.

The Festival Weekend Pass (CA$149.00 + CA$7.45 fees + CA$23.47 taxes) includes:
- Access to three Featured Events with spotlight authors Donna Jones Alward, Antonio Michael Downing and Linden MacIntyre
- Your choice of five curated sessions
(*Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish and Oven Mitts and Oyster Rakes: Sensual Storytelling in Food Writing with Stuart Hickox are not included in the Festival Ticket Package and must be purchased separately.)

Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish (CA$65.00 + CA$3.25 fees + CA$10.24 taxes)
- A guided 7 km stroll through L. M. Montgomery’s favourite spots in Cavendish, followed by a lunch


The event sounds like great fun for readers and writers to connect in the same special setting that once inspired L.M. Montgomery to create Anne Shirley. 


Official Websites:
Cavendish Literary Festival

Image Credit:
Screencapture of the Cavendish Literary Festival website.

Created September 19, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

A Green Gables Christmas

This weekend, the Green Gables Heritage Place is holding a festive event called "A Green Gables Christmas." It is their third annual Christmas event, and this year they are also celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday.

Visitors will have the chance to meet with Anne Shirley and view the beautifully decorated Green Gables House. The event will also feature cookie decorating, carolers, a snow globe light display, food and drinks, and a group dance.

A Green Gables Christmas takes place on November 30 to December 1, 2024 at the Green Gables Heritage Place on 8619 Route 6 in Cavendish, PEI. Adult tickets cost $18.75 CAD, and admission is free for children under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Visitors can also purchase a Green Gables Christmas mini photo session and have special holiday photos taken in the Green Gables house for $120 CAD.

Event details:

Families and friends are invited to the third annual Christmas event at Green Gables! It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore Anne’s house, beautifully decorated for the holidays, while enjoying a variety of fun activities together.

Throughout the day, guests will have the chance to meet Anne, who will be greeting visitors and adding a special touch to the festivities!

Children can get creative by decorating Christmas cookies, listening to cheerful carolers, and capturing memories at the enchanting snow globe light display. There’s plenty of entertainment for everyone—kids will love the Tunes and Tall Tales read-and-sing holiday story, along with a special performance by The Nest, a multilingual children's music studio, happening on both Saturday and Sunday!

All attendees can indulge in yummy sweets and warm drinks provided throughout the event. And they won’t want to miss the chance to celebrate L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with a festive birthday celebration and a fun guided group dance to cap off the day!

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tunes & Tall Tales
11:00 am - 11:45 am: Live Music
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: TBD
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: UPEI Carolers
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Tunes & Tall Tales
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Montgomery's Birthday Celebration
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: The Nest with Madame Abbey
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Group Dance with Historical Dance Society

It looks like such a fun way to start off the holiday season!

Official Websites:
A Green Gables Christmas - Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday - learn about the event at the Tourism PEI website
A Green Gables Christmas - Book tickets for the event at the Tourism Cavendish Beach website
A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday at the Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour website

Image Credit:
Photograph of Anne Shirley decorating the Christmas tree at Green Gables Heritage Place from A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday.

Created November 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Cornelius Leard House for Sale in Lower Bedeque, Prince Edward Island

For a period of six months in 1897 and 1898, L.M. Montgomery boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Leard while she taught school in in Lower Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. During the time, Montgomery was secretly engaged to Edwin Simpson, but she found herself attracted to the Leard family’s oldest son Herman, according to her journals.

The Cornelius Leard House was formally recognized as a historic place in 2010. At different points in time, the house was run as a museum, a bed and breakfast, and a restaurant. It is currently for sale for $99,000 CAD and in need of care and major repairs. You can learn more about the home in this video by CBC News.

Image credit:
Screen capture from the CBC News website.

References:
Cornelius Leard House. Canada's Historic Places. Parks Canada. Retrieved from: https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=19168.

Home where 'Anne' author L.M. Montgomery had a forbidden romance is up for sale. (October 25, 2024). CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6546552.

Created October 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Discover Montgomery's Prince Edward Island

Over the summer, I received a PEI Visitor's Guide from Tourism PEI. Inside the package was a pamphlet called "Discover Montgomery's Prince Edward Island" with information on L.M. Montgomery and her writings and a map marked with locations for visitors to experience places important to her.

Here are photographs of the pamphlet. One side has a nice biography of L.M. Montgomery.





The reverse side of the pamphlet features a map marked with 18 locations and activities for visitors.



The locations and activities include:

1. Montgomery Park
2. L.M. Montgomery Birthplace
3. Lower Bedeque School
4. Montgomery Inn at Ingleside
5. The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead
6. Bideford Parsonage Museum
7. The Site of L.M. Montgomery's Cavendish Home
8. The Kensington Train Station
9. The Cavendish United Church
10. The Cavendish Cemetery
11. Green Gables Heritage Place
12. Anne of Green Gables Museum
13. L.M.M. Institute at UPEI
14. Shop and Play
15. Anne of Green Gables, The Musical
16. Avonlea Village
17. Anne and Gilbert, The Musical
18. The Anne of Green Gables Store

It is a helpful guide to discover places important to L.M. Montgomery in celebration of her 150th birthday this year.


Official Website:
Tourism Prince Edward Island

Image Credit:
Photographs of "Discovering Montgomery's Prince Edward Island" Tourism PEI pamphlet taken by World of Anne Shirley.

Created October 3, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Green Gables Diary Website

This past summer, a website called The Green Gables Diary launched. It is a digital exhibition that accompanies the new book Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse by Alan MacEachern. The book tells the story of Myrtle Webb and her family, who owned the farm that Myrtle's cousin L.M. Montgomery based "Green Gables" upon. Once a simple farm, Myrtle's home became a tourist destination when it became known as the inspiration behind Anne of Green Gables. Eventually, Myrtle had to leave her home when Parks Canada decided to form a national park in Cavendish with Green Gables as its centerpiece.

Myrtle kept a diary from 1924 to 1954, providing a historical record of what her life was like living in "the most famous house in Canada." The Green Gables Diary contains digital scans and a transcription of her entire diary, as well as photographs and introductory materials to learn more about Myrtle Webb, her family, and the history of Green Gables.


Official Website:
The Green Gables Diary

Image Credit:
Screencapture of The Green Gables Diary website.

Reference:
MacEachern, Alan. (2024). The Green Gables Diary. Retrieved from: https://greengablesdiary.ca/.

Purchase and read Becoming Green Gables by Alan MacEachern:


Created September 24, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour

This summer, a website called "The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour" launched. Its goal is "to help guide Prince Edward Islanders and visitors from around the world to learn about and visit some of the most important and meaningful places which inspired Montgomery to write. Official place names, thought-provoking key words and descriptive passages help set the stage for your real or virtual tour experience."

The literary tour includes a map that indicates 16 sites that were significant to L.M. Montgomery for visitors to explore:





1. Montgomery Park
2. Macneill Homestead
3. Cavendish United Church
4. Cavendish Cemetery
5. Haunted Wood
6. Green Gables House
7. Cavendish Shore
8. L.M. Montgomery Birthplace
9. Anne of Green Gables Museum
10. Lake of Shining Waters
11. Senator Donald Montgomery House/Inn at Ingleside
12. Kensington Train Station
13. Bideford Parsonage Museum
14. Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead
15. Confederation Centre of the Arts
16. Robertson Library/L.M. Montgomery Institute/UPEI

It is a helpful guide to learn about sites important to L.M. Montgomery in celebration of her 150th birthday this year.


Official Website:
The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour

Image Credit:
Screencapture of The Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour website.

Reference:
Russell, Nancy. (2024, July 2). L.M. Montgomery group hopes to capitalize on 150th birthday to attract new fans. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-montgomery-150-birthday-new-fans-1.7249988.

Created September 22, 2024. Last updated October 3, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

In the Time of Maud

In celebration of L.M. Montgomery's 150th birthday this year, the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation is presenting an immersive event called "In the Time of Maud" at the Orwell Corner Historic Village. Visitors can take part each Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm through the end of August 2024. The Orwell Corner Historic Village is located at 98 Macphail Park Road in Vernon, PE Canada.

A costumed guide leads the participants through the historic village. Visitors can participate in historical activities, such as writing postcards with a fountain pen and learning the waltz. Participants can see the farm animals at the village and enjoy a carriage ride. The experience also includes afternoon tea and a wagon ride along a route that L.M. Montgomery traveled back in 1910.


Website:
In the Time of Maud

Image Credit:
"In the Time of Maud" event poster.

Reference:
In the Time of Maud a trip to the past. (2024, August 14). Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved from: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/in-the-time-of-maud-a-trip-to-the-past.

Created August 16, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Island Hymn

In 1908, before she was famous for writing Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery penned the patriotic song "The Island Hymn" for her home province, Prince Edward Island. Today, the song is the island's official provincial anthem.

The creation of the hymn was inspired by Professor Harry Watts from the Charlottetown School of Music. He envisioned a patriotic song that could capture the spirit of the island and invited Montgomery, already admired for her poetry and short stories, to write the lyrics. At the time, she was also serving as the organist at the Cavendish Presbyterian Church. Montgomery took up the task, crafting a three-stanza hymn set to the tune of "God Save the King" just months before the publication of her soon-to-be international bestseller, Anne of Green Gables. Her lyrics were set to music composed by Lawrence W. Watson.

Today, L.M. Montgomery's handwritten lyrics can be viewed at the Green Gables Heritage Place along with correspondence related to the hymn.

In 2010, over a century later, "The Island Hymn" was officially declared the provincial anthem of Prince Edward Island. A French version of the song was written by Raymond J. Arsenault. The song now stands as a timeless symbol of her love for and pride in the island.

L.M. Montgomery's lyrics are as follows:

The Island Hymn

Fair Island of the sea,
We raise our song to thee,
The bright and blest;
Loyally now we stand
As brothers, hand in hand,
And sing God save the land
We love the best.

Upon our princely Isle
May kindest fortune smile
In coming years;
Peace and prosperity
In all her borders be,
From every evil free,
And weakling fears.

Prince Edward Isle, to thee
Our hearts shall faithful be
Where'er we dwell;
Forever may we stand
As brothers, hand in hand,
And sing God save the land
We love so well.

Official Websites:
Provincial Anthem. Government of Prince Edward Island.

Location:
Green Gables Heritage Place
PE-13, Cavendish, PE C0A 1M0, Canada



Image credits:
Photographs by World of Anne Shirley.
Map copyright OpenStreetMap.

References:
Provincial Anthem. Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved from: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/provincial-anthem


Created August 15, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Tourism Prince Edward Island's Anne of Green Gables Itinerary

Tourism Prince Edward Island posted an updated Anne of Green Gables itinerary for 2024 to help visitors discover Anne Shirley's island. The itinerary recommends sites to visit in Cavendish, including the Green Gables Heritage Place, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Cavendish Home, Cavendish United Church, Cavendish Cemetery, and Montgomery Park. The guide features several other significant sites, including L.M. Montgomery's birthplace in New London and the Lower Bedeque schoolhouse where she once taught. It's a great reference if you're planning a visit to PEI.


Official Website:
Tourism PEI's Anne of Green Gables Itinerary

Image Credit:
Screencapture of the Tourism Prince Edward Island website showing the featured itineraries.

Created June 23, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Booked: A Traveler's Guide to Literary Locations Around the World

My husband and I were roaming in a bookstore recently, and he was looking through a travel book of literary locations. He came over to show it to me because the book featured Prince Edward Island and Anne of Green Gables, and he knew I'd love to see it. The book is titled Booked: A Traveler's Guide to Literary Locations Around the World, and it's by Richard Kreitner. I love to read and explore, so I thought the concept was really fun.



Booked was published in 2019 by Black Dog & Leventhal, which is part of the Hachette Book Group. Here's the book's description from the publisher's website:

A practical, armchair travel guide that explores eighty of the most iconic literary locations from all over the globe that you can actually visit.

A must-have for every fan of literature, Booked inspires readers to follow in their favorite characters footsteps by visiting the real-life locations portrayed in beloved novels including the Monroeville, Alabama courthouse in To Kill a Mockingbird, Chatsworth House, the inspiration for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, and the Kyoto Bridge from Memoirs of a Geisha. The full-color photographs throughout reveal the settings readers have imagined again and again in their favorite books.

Organized by regions all around the world, author Richard Kreitner explains the importance of each literary landmark including the connection to the author and novel, cultural significance, historical information, and little-known facts about the location. He also includes travel advice like addresses and must-see spots.

Booked features special sections on cities that inspired countless literary works like a round of locations in Brooklyn from Betty Smith’s iconic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn to Jonathan Lethem’s Motherless Brooklyn and a look at the New Orleans of Tennessee Williams and Anne Rice.

Locations include:
Central Park, NYC (The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger)
Forks, Washington (Twilight, Stephanie Meyer)
Prince Edward Island, Canada (Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery)
Kingston Penitentiary, Ontario (Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood)
Holcomb, Kansas (In Cold Blood, Truman Capote)
London, England (White Teeth, Zadie Smith)
Paris, France (Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo)
Segovia, Spain, (For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway)
Kyoto, Japan (Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden)

Image credits:
Photograph of a page on Anne of Green Gables in Booked by Richard Kreitner taken by World of Anne Shirley and cover image of Booked by Black Dog & Leventhal.

Purchase Booked: A Traveler's Guide to Literary Locations Around the World:



Created May 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com