Anne of Green Gables

•1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery
•Considered a children’s novel since the mid-20th century
•First in a large series
•Inspired by the “formula Ann” orphan stories that were popular at the time
•Tourism on Prince Edward Island is now a large part of their economy

Movie Website

Complete Story

Little Women

• First published in 1868 and 1869 in two volumes
• Written by Louisa May Alcott, an American author
• Was an immediate commercial and critical success
• Can be read as a romance or as a quest, or both

The Governess and The Parent's Assistant

     1749 The Governess; or, the Little Female Academy by Sarah Fielding

The first full length novel for children and one of the first books published for girls

The plot of The Governess seems to be based largely upon the Lockean educational ideal of avoiding learning as work or a job, and instead presenting it as something to be enjoyed. To this effect, Fielding employs the use of fairy tales as well as everyday occurrences (receiving a letter, meeting strangers, touring fancy houses) to educate her pupils toward a living life full of happiness.

Complete novel

Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849)

•1796 The Parent’s Assistant; or, Stories for Children by Maria Edgeworth, one of the first realist writers in children’s literature

Complete stories