Marilla Cuthbert and Darth Vader

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

Marilla Cuthbert and Darth Vader fell in love. They adopted a young orphan named Anne Shirley, and even though she was not a boy, they decided to keep her. Anne grew up to be the most powerful Jedi of all, entirely because she was a girl.

Well, not really, but that's what I imagined earlier today when I saw a photograph of Colleen Dewhurst, who played Marilla Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables, and James Earl Jones, who gave voice to Darth Vader in Star Wars. This photograph was taken when these two talented actors starred in a production of Hamlet in 1972 in New York City's Central Park. Colleen Dewhurst played Gertrude and James Earl Jones played Claudius.


Image credit:
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. (1972). Colleen Dewhurst and James Earl Jones in publicity for the stage production Hamlet. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c91c5430-1183-0130-f059-58d385a7b928.

Created September 10, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Retelling by Nosy Crow Classics

L.M. Montgomery's classic story Anne of Green Gables was adapted for young readers by Katherine Woodfine and illustrated by Isabelle Follath. Published on September 3, 2024 by Nosy Crow, the retelling is 96 pages long and geared toward children ages 7–10.

This is the third book in the Nosy Crow Classics series. The series also includes Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows abridged by Lou Peacock and illustrated by Kate Hindley and Animal Tales from India: Ten Stories from the Panchatantra by Nikita Gill and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat.

Here's a look inside the book that shows an illustration of Anne Shirley and the text at the end of Chapter 1 and beginning of Chapter 2. I think the illustrations are really charming.

Here is the book's description from Nosy Crow Classics:

When a spirited and imaginative 11-year-old orphan named Anne moves to Avonlea, she can’t wait to see the home she’s always dreamed of. And it’s perfect! Green Gables is a beautiful farmhouse, set among the summer flowers of Prince Edward Island.

But Anne quickly realizes her dream is too good to be true. There has been a terrible mistake and her new family—gentle Matthew and his stern sister Marilla—were expecting someone quite different. With her cheer, her imagination, and even her mischievousness, Anne is a welcome breath of fresh air . . . but will she succeed in enchanting Matthew and Marilla? One thing’s for sure, there is never a dull moment when Anne is around.

Featuring high-end finishes, including a foil-inlaid cloth binding, textured jacket, and ribbon bookmark, Anne of Green Gables is a timeless gift book for every child to enjoy and treasure. Listen to the free Stories Aloud audiobook— just scan the QR code on the back cover to hear the story read aloud!

Image credit:
Cover of Anne of Green Gables by Nosy Crow Classics.

Purchase and read Anne of Green Gables by Nosy Crow Classics:


Created September 6, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

A September day on Prince Edward Island...

"A September day on Prince Edward Island hills; a crisp wind blowing up over the sand dunes from the sea; a long red road, winding through fields and woods..."
-L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Avonlea

Read more quotes by L.M. Montgomery.

Image credit:
Photograph by World of Anne Shirley.

Purchase and read Anne of Avonlea and the Anne of Green Gables series:



Created September 5, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

William Shatner on Anne of Green Gables

I have such fun discovering Anne of Green Gables fans around the world. Sometimes, they are even out there in the far reaches of the galaxy.

William Shatner is a Canadian actor best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek. He has had a long career as an actor, author, musician, and director, and in 2021, he flew into space in real life in a Blue Origin capsule.

Yesterday, I learned that he's a fan of Anne of Green Gables through an amusing exchange on Twitter/X.

@AaronBillard asked William Shatner: "@WilliamShatner Have you ever been invited to play Anne of Green Gables? I feel like there’s more to explore with that character. It needs the Shatner treatment."

@WilliamShatner responded: "In my heart of hearts I cherish the day Matthew and Marilla invited me to stay I even thought they had ordered a boy."



He clearly knows Anne of Green Gables well. In searching through William Shatner's Twitter history, I learned that this isn't the first time that he has mentioned Anne Shirley.

On August 11, 2020, @ABlenkey wrote to William Shatner saying: "Just recently followed you and I’m glad I did. You are like a breath of fresh air in this echo chamber nightmare called twitter."

@WilliamShatner responded: "I’m just like Anne of Green Gables ...don’t tell Marilla!😝"



On December 5, 2019, @MartissJ wrote to William Shatner asking for help to save the Anne with an E TV series: "@WilliamShatner help?! #reneweannewithane #SaveAnneWithAnE"

@WilliamShatner responded: "But if you call me Anne, please call me Anne with an 'e'. - Anne Shirley 😉👍🏻"



Going back a little farther in time, on January 3, 2017, one of the Property Brothers @MrDrewScott tagged William Shatner saying: "Which celeb should I do a fun social collab with next? @davidblaine @HaylieDuff @WilliamShatner"

@WilliamShatner responded with a roll eyes saying: "🙄 What makes him think we want to "collab" with him?"

@MrDrewScott responded: "I read your diary. I know all your secrets😉"

To which, William Shatner retorted: "Diary? Who are you Anne of Green Gables? 🙄"



I could probably find more instances of William Shatner mentioning Anne of Green Gables if I kept digging for them, but I'm already convinced that he's a true fan.


Reference:
William Shatner's Twitter/X Account

Image credits:
Left: Photograph of William Shatner by Santiago Felipe/Getty from People Magazine.
Right: Photograph of Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables © Sullivan Entertainment.

Created August 29, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of the Library-on-the-Hill

Anne of the Library-on-the-Hill is a children's book by Catherine Little and beautifully illustrated by Sae Kimura that was published by Plumleaf Press on August 1, 2024. Set in Toronto after WWI, the book tells the story of a young girl named Anne who loves her local library and books by L.M. Montgomery. Anne grows excited when Montgomery visits her town.

The book is 32 pages long and geared toward children ages 6–10. Catherine Little is a teacher and writer, who lives in Toronto, Ontario. While reading L.M. Montgomery's journals, she learned that Montgomery had once visited her neighborhood in Toronto. This knowledge inspired her to write this book. Sae Kimura is an artist and illustrator who is from Japan and moved to Toronto in 2011.

Here is the book's description from Plumleaf Press:

Growing up in the shadow of the Great War, Anne finds comfort in her neighbourhood library, where she loses herself in books, often imagining herself as part of the story. She particularly loves the books of L.M. Montgomery — and her imagination really takes off when she learns her beloved author is in town.

Image credit:
Cover of Anne of the Library-on-the-Hill by Plumleaf Press.

Purchase and read Anne of the Library-on-the-Hill:


Created August 28, 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

Summer in the Land of Anne

Summer in the Land of Anne is a children's book by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly and illustrated by watercolor artist Carolyn M. Epperly. Elizabeth Rollins Epperly was the first female president of the University of Prince Edward Island, and she founded of the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the university. She has published many scholarly books on L.M. Montgomery’s writings as well as her scrapbooks and photography. She expanded into writing about L.M. Montgomery for children with Summer in the Land of Anne, which is her first children’s book.

Here is the book's description from Acorn Press:

Six-year-old Elspeth’s mother has a surprise in store for her daughters. She’s taking Elspeth and her eleven-year-old sister on a surprise vacation. When she starts reading Anne of Green Gables aloud to the girls, they catch on–they’re going to Prince Edward Island!

Elspeth proudly dons her Anne hat on the ferry, ready to explore the Land of Anne. Although she knows she’s really visiting Lucy Maud Montgomery?s house, she feels like she recognizes everything from the books and is thoroughly enchanted. At first devastated that Montgomery’s first house was torn down by Montgomery’s uncle, Elspeth sees signs of life–chipmunks living in the old cellar.

Elspeth’s imagination is ignited. No longer satisfied with pretending to be Anne, Elspeth is instead inspired to become more like Montgomery: famous writer Elspeth of Cavendish, writing about the world she loves.

Summer in the Land of Anne is a celebration of the books we love and all the ways they inspire us.

Image credit:
Cover of Summer in the Land of Anne by Acorn Press.

Purchase and read Summer in the Land of Anne:


Created August 13, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com