I would hope this good book would be enough incentive for the child to then go on to the Classic.

I feel this would appeal as a read-along to the younger children or older children that avoid novels. In the end there is some really interesting background on the book and author as well as a glossary. I would rate the illustrations an excellent four stars. The illustrations were lovely and varied and I can see it appealing to young children. The adaptation was sweetly done but a bit lacking and I would rate it three stars. This graphic novel/picture book is an adaptation by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld. It quickly became one my very favorites and it was both magical and comforting to me. At five I may have had it read to me once or twice but I started reading very young.

So I opened up my favorite Portuguese Rose and was perusing Netgalley when lo and behold.Īs a young boy from the ages of five to eight I read at least three times a year. Aside from my meditation and walking I needed a little more. I had a variety of minor stressors today (that added up) and I was feeling tense and mildly anxious. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and illustrator and Andrews McCeel publishing for an e-copy. 3.5 'nostalgic, stress easing, hope instilling' stars !!!

The Secret Garden by Mariah Marsden