January so far has been a month of cold gray days

"January 28th.

January so far has been a month of cold gray days, with an occasional storm whirling across the harbor and filling Spook's Lane with drifts. But last night we had a silver thaw and today the sun shone."
-L.M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley in Anne of Windy Poplars

Read more quotes by L.M. Montgomery.

Image credit:
Photograph by World of Anne Shirley.

Purchase and read Anne of Windy Poplars and the Anne of Green Gables series:



Created January 28, 2023. Last updated April 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne Shirley and Diana Barry Jigsaw Puzzle

My brother got me a sweet gift for Christmas. It's an Anne of Green Gables jigsaw puzzle. The image is from the anime Anne of Green Gables series (Akage no An, 1979), which was produced as part of Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater series. The pretty painted scene shows Anne Shirley and Diana Barry sitting together and talking in an apple orchard. If you want one too, you can purchase the 1014-piece puzzle here.

Created January 27, 2023. Last updated March 4, 2023.
© worldofanneshirley.com

About the Oh My Anne Mobile Game

The Google Play store includes information about the "Oh my Anne" mobile app, which had its soft launch last month. Version 1.0.0 of the app was released/last updated on December 3, 2022 by NEOWIZ. The game is rated "E" for everyone, and there are in-app purchases.

NEOWIZ provided the following description of the game to the Google Play store:

A heartwarming game about Anne Shirley's story in Avonlea!
Enjoy calming, relaxing match 3 puzzle levels & renovate the Green Gables.
Unlock endless chapters about Anne’s encounters and makeover!
Adventures in Avonlea are at the doorstep!

"But if you call me Anne, please call me Anne with an 'e'."

Encouraging & Heartwarming Story!
It all began when Matthew and Marilla accepted Anne to the family..
Folllow Anne through her times of true romance, friendship, and tears - all unexpected!
Watch how her relationship with the townspeople of Avonlea flourish!

“I thought my story at Green Gables was about to end, but it was just the beginning.”

Enjoy Renovating the Green Gables
Oh my, what a dusty room!
Mop the floors! Change the carpets!
Unlock & renovate rooms, spread happiness in the air!
Help Anne Bring warmth back to the Green Gables, and to her loved ones as well.
Renovate your mansion, give it a fantastic makeover!

"Seeing the place nice and clean makes me so happy.”

Easy Match 3 Puzzle Levels
Match puzzle pieces, use delicate booster effects to beat levels!
Equip yourself with Anne’s mighty spirit!
Show off your match 3 skills by clearing various fun challenge modes ahead!

“I couldn''t tell where to begin at first, but after placing the tiles one by one, before I knew it, I was already done!”

Experience Calming and Relaxing Game
Sit back, and enjoy relaxing makeovers.
The most heartwarming words from Anne, will certainly brighten up your day!

"You can enjoy anything if you make up your mind to enjoy it."

The Google Play store features the image above ("Follow Anne's Romantic Story") as well as the following images and screencaptures of "Oh my Anne" with explanations of how to play the game.

Meet new friends and the townspeople of Avonlea:



Unlock more rooms and renovate Green Gables:



Watch and immerse yourself in Anne's precious moments:



Play match-3 levels:



Earn daily rewards:



Collect beautiful dresses:



Anne Shirley dreams of a dress with puffed sleeves:



Some of the game's aspects don't seem to relate to the story, but I'm still interested in checking out the app.

Created January 25, 2023.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Oh My Anne Mobile Game Soft Launch

In December, NEOWIZ, a South Korean online game developer and publisher, announced the soft launch of a mobile app called "Oh my Anne." It’s a mobile game based on the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. "Oh my Anne" has launched in Canada and in select regions so far, and the global launch of the game will soon follow. It will be available on iOS and Android.

It's a game about Anne Shirley's time in Avonlea. The player helps unlock chapters as Anne brings warmth to Green Gables and to Anne's loved ones. Through the game, Anne develops relationships with the townspeople of Avonlea. The story follows Anne through moments of friendship, romance, and sorrow. The gameplay also involves match games and makeover/renovation elements where the player collects dresses for Anne and helps her clean and renovate Green Gables.

Here are a couple of screenshots of the game from NEOWIZ's announcement on twitter:





The artwork and animation look so lovely. I'm curious about "Oh my Anne." and I hope to be able to check it out soon. Has any reader downloaded the game? What did you think of it?

Read more about the game in an article by Catherine Dellosa at PocketGamer.


Created January 24, 2023.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables Literary Quote Pencil Set

I ran across the cutest Anne of Green Gables literary quote pencils today. It's a set of six #2 HB pencils featuring the following quotes from L.M. Montgomery's classic novel:

MAPLES ARE SUCH SOCIABLE TREES
I LOVE BRIGHT RED DRINKS, DON’T YOU?
I HAVE GIVEN UP ALL HOPE OF DIMPLES.
PLEASE CALL ME ANNE WITH AN 'E."
IT’S DELIGHTFUL TO HAVE AMBITIONS.
I’M IN THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR.

I think they'd inspire me to write a poem or story like Anne's "Averil's Atonement." What about you?

Created January 22, 2023. Last updated April 19, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript Digital Exhibition

Today, a digital exhibition launched called "The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript: L.M. Montgomery and the Creation of Anne" that features a digitized version of L.M. Montgomery's original handwritten manuscript for Anne of Green Gables. Fans of Anne of Green Gables can explore the text to see L.M. Montgomery's writing process and analyze how she developed the story.

Check out the exhibit at: annemanuscript.ca

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Here's the press release for the exhibit by the Confederation Centre of the Arts:

January 19, 2023 – For the first time ever, L.M. Montgomery’s original manuscript of Anne of Green Gables is available to readers everywhere through a new digital exhibition.

The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript: L.M. Montgomery and the Creation of Anne officially launched online today. The digital exhibition will allow people to explore Montgomery’s original text, see what was written on the back of pages, and find out how famous moments were developed or revised. The interactive website includes never-before-seen material, such as Montgomery’s publishing contract for the novel.

“Visitors can pore over every pen stroke – there are bits of short story drafts and heavily scratched out passages that just beg for one to zoom in. We have also added hundreds of photo and video annotations to learn from,” says Dr. Emily Woster, an L.M. Montgomery scholar who curated the exhibition. “This is a celebration of Montgomery’s creative process, and we invite scholars and fans alike to explore the site and trace the origins of Anne.”

The high-quality digitization of the manuscript gives visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the author and Prince Edward Island, and reflect on Anne’s legacy in print, on screen, and on stage – including the nearly 60-year history of Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ at The Charlottetown Festival.

The digital exhibition is presented by Confederation Centre of the Arts, the University of Prince Edward Island’s Robertson Library and L.M. Montgomery Institute, and developed with funding from the Digital Museums Canada investment program. The Digital Museums Canada investment program helps build digital capacity in Canadian museums and heritage organizations and gives Canadians unique access to diverse stories and experiences. Digital Museums Canada is managed by the Canadian Museum of History, with the financial support of the Government of Canada.

The history of the novel dates back to the summer of 1905, when Montgomery began writing Anne’s story in the kitchen of her home in Cavendish. The classic novel is beloved the world over, inspiring millions of readers in over 40 languages. The original manuscript resides in the archives at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown, and only a lucky few have been able to see it or study it in person.

“This important project will vastly increase access to the manuscript, generating new understanding and appreciation of the novel’s beginnings and of its author,” says L.M. Montgomery Institute chair Dr. Philip Smith. “The digitization by the expert staff at UPEI’s Robertson Library will allow enthusiasts around the world to discover Montgomery’s creativity in interactive ways not previously available.”

The digital exhibition is available in English and French and can be viewed online at annemanuscript.ca.


Official Site:
The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript: L.M. Montgomery and the Creation of Anne

Image Credit:
Image from The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript: L.M. Montgomery and the Creation of Anne.

Reference:
New digital exhibition explores Anne of Green Gables manuscript. Confederation Centre of the Arts. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/news/digital-exhibition-anne-manuscript/. (January 19, 2023).

Created January 19, 2023.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Anne of Green Gables — The Musical Will No Longer Be Performed Annually in Charlottetown

On November 24, 2022, the Confederation Centre of the Arts announced in a press release that Anne of Green Gables — The Musical would no longer be staged annually in Charlottetown, but instead once every two years. The production will return to the stage in 2024 in commemoration of the 150th birthday of L.M. Montgomery.

The press release states, "Confederation Centre of the Arts is delighted to announce the extension and expansion to its agreement with the show’s rights holders. Starting in 2024, Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ will be playing on the mainstage every two years (biennially) coinciding with the 150th birthday of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The production ran annually for over fifty years from 1965-2019 and was presented in 2022 after a brief hiatus due to COVID-related challenges."

The announcement was met with concern about how the decision may affect tourism on Prince Edward Island.

Image Credit:
Promotional photograph for Anne of Green Gables — The Musical from the Confederation Centre of the Arts website.

References:
Anne of Green Gables–The Musical™ to return to The Charlottetown Festival in 2024. (November 24, 2022). Confederation Centre of the Arts. Retrieved from: https://confederationcentre.com/anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-to-return-to-the-charlottetown-festival-in-2024/.

Austen, Ian. (December 3, 2022). After Half a Century, Prince Edward Island’s Musical Tradition Takes a Break. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/03/world/canada/prince-edward-island-musical.html.

P.E.I.'s long-running 'Anne of Green Gables — The Musical' no longer an annual event. (November 24, 2022). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/p-e-i-s-long-running-anne-of-green-gables-the-musical-no-longer-an/article_fc3d2ee5-929c-5b2f-88fe-96129abda91f.html.


Created November 28, 2022. Last updated December 3, 2022.
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Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery

Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery: Continuing Conversations was published by McGill-Queen’s University Press in October 2022. This book of scholarship explores L.M. Montgomery's portrayals of childhood in her writing. It was edited by Rita Bode, Lesley D. Clement, E. Holly Pike and Margaret Steffler. The volume contains contributions by Kate Scarth, Lesley D. Clement, Rita Bode, Margaret Steffler, Bonnie J. Tulloch, E. Holly Pike, Åsa Warnqvist, Heidi A. Lawrence, William V. Thompson, Yoshiko Akamatsu, Balaka Basu, Laura M. Robinson, Vappu Kannas, Holly Cinnamon, Rosalee Peppard Lockyer, and Kit Pearson.

Here is the description of the volume from McGill-Queen’s University Press:

From Jane Austen to contemporary fanfiction and adaptations, literary portrayals of the child and imaginings of childhood are particularly telling indicators of cultural values and when they shift.

Inspired by the responsive reading practices of L.M. Montgomery herself, those demonstrated by her characters, and those of her diverse readership, Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery works with concepts of confluence, based on organic, non-linear readings of texts across time and space. Such readings reconsider views of childhood and children by challenging power hierarchies and inequities found in approaches that privilege more linear readings of literary influence. While acknowledging differences between childhood and adulthood, contributors emphasize kinship between child and adult as well as between past and present selves and use both scholarly approaches and creative reimagining to explore how the boundaries between different stages of life are blurred in Montgomery’s writing.

Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery addresses Montgomery’s challenges to prescribed assumptions about childhood while positioning her novels as essential texts in twenty-first-century literary, childhood, and youth studies. Contributors include Yoshiko Akamatsu (Notre Dame Seishin University), Balaka Basu (UNC Charlotte), Rita Bode (Trent University), Holly Cinnamon, Lesley D. Clement, Vappu Kannas, Heidi Lawrence (University of Glasgow), Kit Pearson, Rosalee Peppard Lockyer, E. Holly Pike, Laura Robinson (Acadia University), Kate Scarth (UPEI), Margaret Steffler (Trent University), William Thompson (MacEwan University), Bonnie Tulloch (UBC), Åsa Warnqvist (Swedish Institute for Children’s Books).

Reviews

“By presenting Montgomery’s fiction as conversing with past and present creative writers, contributors provide a helpful focal point within the broad framework of the collection, extending prior conceptual understandings of the cultural role of reading.” Irene Gammel, author of Looking for Anne: How Lucy Maud Montgomery Dreamed Up a Literary Classic

“This collection [is] valuable and [a rarity] in academic literary studies. It is a book both for scholars and for the “Maud Squad.” Historical Studies in Education/Revue d’histoire de l’éducation

The book includes the following content and essays:

Introduction by Lesley D. Clement, with assistance from Rita Bode, E. Holly Pike, and Margaret Steffler

Part One: Conversing with the Past: Vulnerability, Resistance, and Resilience

1. Emily of New Moon and Fanny of Mansfield Park: Childhood at Home in Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery by Kate Scarth
2. L.M. Montgomery’s Precocious Children: Resisting Adult Narratives of Death, Dying, and the Afterlife by Lesley D. Clement
3. Vulnerable Situations: Boys and Boyhood in the Emily Books by Rita Bode

Part Two: Conversing with the Present: Fantasy, the Ideal, and the Real

4. The Performance of the Beautiful Dream Boy in Novels by L.M. Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett by Margaret Steffler
5. Lost Boys and Lost Girls: The Kindred Offspring of J.M. Barrie and L.M. Montgomery by Bonnie J. Tulloch
6. Magic for Marigold, Childhood, and Fiction by E. Holly Pike

Part Three: Continuing Literary Conversations: Transformative Relationships and Spaces

7. Loving, Larking, and Lying: Free-Spirited Children and Disciplinary Adults in the Works of L.M. Montgomery and Astrid Lindgren by Åsa Warnqvist
8. Absent Fathers: Conversations between L.M. Montgomery and Madeleine L’Engle by Heidi A. Lawrence
9. Transformative Girlhood and Twenty-First-Century Girldom in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables by William V. Thompson

Part Four: Continuing Transmediated Conversations: Anime, Fanfiction, and Television Adaptations

10. The Problems and Possibilities Inherent in Adaptation: Emily of New Moon and Emily, Girl of the Wind by Yoshiko Akamatsu
11. Continuing Stories: L.M. Montgomery and Fanfiction in the Digital Era by Balaka Basu
12. Anne with an Edge: CBC-Netflix’s Rereading of Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables by Laura M. Robinson

AFTERWORDS

Preface to the Afterwords by Lesley D. Clement and Margaret Steffler

Emily Kent - The Afterlife of Emily of New Moon by Vappu Kannas
Anne’s Nature by Holly Cinnamon
My Maud by Katie Maurice by Rosalee Peppard Lockyer
Dear Maud by Kit Pearson


Image credit:
Book cover of Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery from McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Purchase and read Children and Childhoods in L.M. Montgomery:

Created November 27, 2022. Last updated June 12, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com