The Little Princess - Leslie Antos

When I was about 8 years old my godmother started giving me books for birthday presents. This might sound like one of the least fun things an 8-year-old can receive, but Aunt Ethel always tried to choose books that she had loved when she was growing up, or failing that, a book that she read herself before deciding to give it to me. Now I don’t remember each book that she sent me, but I do know that I never felt like I got cheated out of a good birthday present.

The very first book I received was A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This is an old story and there are many editions of the book as well as movies, TV series, and even a Japanese drama that tell the tale. But reading the book is the best (of course!) and the edition that I received was beautifully illustrated; I think the lush and detailed ink drawings drew me into Sara Crewe’s life as much as the words did.

Even if you have never read or heard of the story, it will seem familiar to you: a well-loved and wealthy girl loses everything, but it all works out in the end. And even though it might seem as though I’ve just done major spoiling of the book for anyone who wants to read it, read it anyway. Even as an adult. The tale is layered and there are different messages that we can find depending on where we are in our lives. Burnett writes about the human need for companionship, the gift that our imaginations are, and what can happen when we judge by outward appearances. But for me, the enduring message has been that we don’t always get treated as we deserve but we can still behave well toward others… and that someone is always looking out for us.