In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea

In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea is book by Eliza Westfield that was published in February 2025. It's a travel guide that introduces readers and travelers to Prince Edward Island, Canada, the setting of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Published by Boat Nook Press, the book is 118 pages long.

The book is part of Westfield's three-book series called "HerStory Travels: In the Footsteps of Literary Heroines." The other two books in the series are: Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little Women at Home: A Journey Through Orchard House, Concord, and the Legacy of Louisa May Alcott.

I took a look at the book's reading sample at Amazon and was excited to notice that the author cites my webpage. 


Here is the description of the book:

Whether you grew up reading the Anne of Green Gables book series, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, or you loved the popular Canadian Anne of Green Gables movies from the 80s or the more recent Japanese pop hit Anne of Green Gables anime TV series, you have probably dreamed of seeing Lucy Maud Montgomery’s enchanting world of Avonlea and idyllic 19th century farmhouse with your own eyes!

Well, let’s take a trip to beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada! You will explore the rolling fields, charming farming villages, and iconic historic sites near Cavendish that the endearing little red-haired girl Anne Shirley called home.

Join veteran literary homesite traveler Eliza Westfield In the Footsteps of Anne, as you wander through Green Gables Heritage Place, stroll beneath the whispering trees of Lover’s Lane, and gaze across the shimmering Lake of Shining Waters. Plus, you will learn all the fun and exciting activities that PEI has to offer, including world-class seafood restaurants, hiking, kayaking, fishing and several of the best golf courses in Canada!

In this illustrated Anne of Green Gables and Prince Edward Island travel guide, you will love:

• Enthralling looks behind the scenes of the writing of Anne of Green Gables and where author Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration from, with many fascinating facts about the area that became the world of Avonlea - and places you can visit now near Cavendish, PEI
• Insider information on each tourist attraction from the perfect time of the year to visit each site, to when the very popular festivals happen, to ticketing information and what you MUST do at each stop
• The vital locations that every Anne of Green Gables fan has to experience, from the period-accurate 1890s Avonlea schoolhouse to the Lake of Shining Waters, a once-in-a-lifetime place for reflection and romance!
• Other fun family vacation activity ideas near each attraction, so you can plan an entire weekend vacation or build a whole week’s itinerary

Whether you’re planning on joining the 125,000 tourists that flock to PEI each year to relive the magical tale of Anne of Green Gables, or you will explore them from the comfort of your home, you will love In the Footsteps of Anne. The book highlights Anne’s indomitable spirit and love for kindred spirits that continue to shine like a bright beacon of inspiration in the pages of Montgomery’s first bestseller and in the landscapes and historical sites of Prince Edward Island.

Will you embark on an unforgettable trip to modern-day Avonlea and discover the true inspiration for the Anne of Green Gables story that still exists in fabulous Prince Edward Island? Enjoy the adventure!

Here is the write-up describing the book on its back cover:

Step into the enchanting world of Avonlea and follow in the footsteps of Anne Shirley and Canada's beloved author, L.M. Montgomery.

In The Footsteps of Anne brings to life the cherished landscapes that inspired Montgomery's timeless Anne books, inviting readers and travelers alike to explore the rolling fields, charming villages, and iconic sites that Anne called home.

Whether you're a lifelong admirer of Anne or an eager explorer, this book is your ideal guide to discovering the enchanting beauty of Prince Edward Island-a place where storybook charm and real-life wonder seamlessly blend throughout every season.

The rich heritage of Prince Edward Island beckons and invites travelers on a journey to Avonlea to follow in the footsteps of Anne and relive its magic.

Welcome to Anne's world!

ISBN-13: 978-1069118554


Image credit:
Book cover of In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea.

Purchase and read In the Footsteps of Anne: A Journey Through Avonlea:


Created October 6, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Becoming Green Gables Podcast

The latest episode in the Witness to Yesterday podcast series by The Champlain Society is called Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse. In this episode, host Nicole O'Byrne speaks with author Alan MacEachern about his book Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse, which was published in 2024. It's the history of Green Gables, the farm and home that inspired the setting of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.

Here are details on the podcast from The Champlain Society's website.

Episode Details:

Nicole O'Byrne speaks with Alan MacEachern about his book Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse. In 1909 Myrtle and Ernest Webb took possession of a Cavendish, Prince Edward Island farm—ordinary except that it was already known as the inspiration for Anne of Green Gables, written by Myrtle’s cousin, L. M. Montgomery. The Webbs welcomed visitors to “Green Gables” and took in summer boarders, making their home central to PEI’s growing tourist trade. In the 1930s the farm became the centerpiece of a new national park, though the family remained its caretakers for another decade.

During these years Myrtle kept a diary. When she began in 1924, she was a forty-year-old homemaker managing a household of eight; by 1954, she was a seventy-year-old widow, no longer resident in what had become the most famous house in Canada. In Becoming Green Gables, Alan MacEachern reproduces a selection of her diary entries, using them to explore topics from modern conveniences to wartime hosting and visits from “Aunt Maud” herself.

Alan MacEachern is professor of history at the University of Western Ontario and has written widely on Canadian environmental history.

Series Description:

Witness to Yesterday

This series of podcasts furthers the Champlain Society's mission of deepening awareness of Canada’s documentary past and of the people who created it. Hosted by Greg Marchildon, Nicole O’Byrne, Larry Ostola, and Simon Nantais, each podcast examines a particular document, the people behind it, its significance, and its relevance to today.

This podcast is made possible by the members of the Champlain Society who work hard to bring to life original documents in Canadian history. We want to thank a number of Canadian scholarly book publishers including the University of Toronto Press, UBC Press and McGill-Queen’s University Press for their financial support.

Credits:

Podcast series: Witness to Yesterday
Episode 330: Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse
Date: 19 September 2025
Host: Nicole O'Byrne
Special Guest: Alan MacEachern
Published by The Champlain Society


Official website:

Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse at The Champlain Society

Image credit:

Screencapture from The Champlain Society's website.


Created September 19, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Cavendish Literary Festival

The first-ever Cavendish Literary Festival is taking place on September 26–28, 2025. The event aims to gather readers, writers, and storytellers "to connect over books, share their big ideas, and let their imagination wander in the very place that inspired the iconic works of L.M. Montgomery."

The three-day festival includes a literary walk through Cavendish, as well as workshops on bringing a novel to life, getting published, and journaling. There are talks by several authors, including one on Jane Austen and L.M. Montgomery and another on food writing. The festival also includes sessions on mindful movement for creative writers and flow yoga. There will be an open mic stage for writers, poets, and storytellers.

Here is the event description, according to the Festival's official website:

"Readers, writers, and storytellers are invited to join us for the first-ever Cavendish Literary Festival.

The festival features three delightful days of intimate events, including workshops, author talks, and wellness retreats, all set within Cavendish’s charming countryside, with venues no more than ten minutes apart.

In this inaugural year, we are proud to celebrate local, regional, and national voices who shaped our cultural identity and inspire and support new writers just beginning their journey.

Come find kindred spirits, feed your creativity, and celebrate the transformative power of literature."

You can purchase a festival weekend pass, which includes several events, or purchase individual tickets on the Festival's website. Tickets for the "Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish," an activity of interest to Anne of Green Gables fans, must be purchased separately.

The Festival Weekend Pass (CA$149.00 + CA$7.45 fees + CA$23.47 taxes) includes:
- Access to three Featured Events with spotlight authors Donna Jones Alward, Antonio Michael Downing and Linden MacIntyre
- Your choice of five curated sessions
(*Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish and Oven Mitts and Oyster Rakes: Sensual Storytelling in Food Writing with Stuart Hickox are not included in the Festival Ticket Package and must be purchased separately.)

Secret Paths: A Literary Walk through Cavendish (CA$65.00 + CA$3.25 fees + CA$10.24 taxes)
- A guided 7 km stroll through L. M. Montgomery’s favourite spots in Cavendish, followed by a lunch


The event sounds like great fun for readers and writers to connect in the same special setting that once inspired L.M. Montgomery to create Anne Shirley. 


Official Websites:
Cavendish Literary Festival

Image Credit:
Screencapture of the Cavendish Literary Festival website.

Created September 19, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Kindred Spirits Book Arts Exhibit

Kindred Spirits: The Lucy Maud Montgomery Legacy as Interpreted by Contemporary Book Artists is a touring book arts exhibition. The pieces in the exhibit were created by members of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild and were inspired by the work and life of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The exhibit celebrates the 150th anniversary of Montgomery's birth.

The Kindred Spirits Book Arts Exhibition includes 37 original works from contributors from across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The exhibition launched on Friday June 21, 2024 at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and will tour nationally throughout Canada through 2026.

Here is the exhibit tour schedule:

June 21, 2024 to August 23, 2024
Confederation Court Mall
134 Kent Street
Charlottetown, PEI C1A 8R8
Official launch reception - Friday, June 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

September 16, 2024 to December 7, 2024
Carleton University: MacOdrum Library
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6

January 10, 2025 to mid-end March 2025
Western University: Weldon Library Building
Schweitzer Gallery, Archives and Special Collections Research Centre
1151 Richmond Street
London, ON N6A 3K7

April 15, 2025 to May 15, 2025
Massey College - Robertson Davies Library
4 Devonshire Place
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2E1
Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check-in at the Porter Gate and let them know you are there to see the Kindred Spirits Exhibit.

May 31, 2025 to July 5, 2025
Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery
8 McCain Street
Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick E7L 3H6

August 6, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Helson Gallery
9 Church Street
Halton Hills, Ontario L7G 2A3
Official Launch - Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

January 5, 2026 to May 1, 2026
University of Guelph - McLaughlin Library
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1

June 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Calgary Public Library - Central Library
800 3 St SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 2E7

July 15, 2026 to August 20, 2026
Regina Public Library - George Bothwell Branch
2965 Gordon Road
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 6H7

Coming at the end of 2026
Victoria, BC Exhibition
Specific venue and firm dates TBD


Official Websites:
Kindred Spirits Book Arts
Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild

Image Credit:
Handcrafted book art in the Kindred Spirits Book Arts Exhibit by Loralee Butler of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild.

References:
Collington, Christian. (July 19, 2025). Unique touring exhibition honouring Anne of Green Gables author coming to Georgetown. Independent Free Press. Retrieved from: https://www.theifp.ca/things-to-do/unique-touring-exhibition-honouring-anne/article_1555692e-c7ff-51dd-a1c9-16ac7c852a6f.html.

Oakville News Staff. (July 20, 2025). Canadian book artists honour L.M. Montgomery in touring show. Oakville News. Retrieved from: https://www.oakvillenews.org/local-news/canadian-book-artists-honour-lm-montgomery-in-touring-show-10955683.

Created August 2, 2025. Last updated September 25, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Megan Follows, Star of Anne of Green Gables, Will Play Lucy Maud Montgomery

Megan Follows, star of the beloved Canadian series Anne of Green Green Gables (1985), will play Anne's creator L.M. Montgomery in an upcoming series called Lucy. Maud. Known for her moving and unforgettable portrayal of Anne Shirley, Megan Follows is producing a new television series based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's life.

Speaking to Variety, Megan Follows explained, "I’ve always been incredibly grateful to be introduced, as a young woman, to the power of a character who was a central figure in her own story. One thing I share with the writers [of the show] is that our lives were greatly influenced by Anne. She defined us as artists, as writers, me as an actor."

Megan Follows will play L.M. Montgomery alongside other actresses. She explains to Variety, "I will play Maud, as that was her preferred name, from her forties through the end of her life. But we will also go on a wonderful journey with a young Maud and Maud in her 20s. There are multiple timelines we are discovering and experiencing with her."

The series will be the first dramatic depiction of L.M. Montgomery's life and will delve into her "passionate affairs, literary stardom and vivid imagination." The team optioned L.M. Montgomery's biography The Gift of Wings by Mary Rubio, a scholar who co-edited L.M. Montgomery's journals, as the source material for the series. Megan Follows elaborated, telling Variety, "It has been our extraordinarily rich source material, as well as many novels which have recently come into the public domain. We believe our project is really the first dramatic adaptation of this life story."

In the 1980s, when Megan Follows was playing Anne, she would take Montgomery's journals with her. Megan Follows told Variety, "I used to carry them around, because I could see there was so much more to this woman writing, at times very subversively, and exposing the world with a wicked sense of humor. She was extraordinarily intelligent, witty, observant. She had passionate affairs and lived in a time of great social upheaval and change. She’s a woman who speaks to our times."

Megan Follows went on to say, "Examples of really intelligent, creative, powerful women are worth celebrating and introducing to newer generations." The project has been in the works for some time. Megan Follows previously mentioned developing this project with the CBC in December 2023.

Produced by Story Girls Productions, the limited series will be eight episodes long, and each episode will be 60 minutes in length. Megan Follows will direct and star in the series. Susan Coyne is the creator of the series and its showrunner. Previously, Coyne wrote the screenplays for L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (2016), L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew (2017) and an episode of Daisy Jones & The Six. The writers for Lucy. Maud include Susan Coyne and Rosa Laborde. The series is produced by Megan Follows, Edwina Follows, and Mary Young Leckie.

Producer Edwina Follows spoke to Variety about the series saying, “It’s a compelling drama about a powerful woman whose life experience remains relatable to this day.” Megan Follows elaborated on the production, telling Variety that it will appeal to L.M. Montgomery's fans as well as those unfamiliar with her work: "They can watch a show about the power of creativity as a saving grace and as a means of exploring the world and finding your voice. Even when you’re up against extraordinary odds. She fought and fought for that recognition, and fought for young people around the world. She understood what it was like to be on the outside."

Story Girls Productions is currently at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) Co-Production Market to secure financing, presales, and international distributions for the series, which aims to shoot in 2025.

Info on the Series:

Story Girls Productions, Canada

Writers: Susan Coyne, Rosa Laborde

Director: Megan Follows

Producers: Edwina Follows, Mary Young Leckie, Megan Follows

With pilot script and second episode ready, this Canadian show is about to introduce a wider audience to writer Lucy Maud Montgomery, forgotten force behind such classics as “Anne of Green Gables.” As well as her personal life, her passionate affairs, turbulent marriage, the pressures of fame, her ongoing struggle with mental illness and the solace she found in her writing. Supported by Canadian Media Fund.

I haven't been this excited about an L.M. Montgomery-related production since back in 1999/2000 when I was awaiting Sullivan Entertainment's Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (aka Anne3). I hope Lucy. Maud will be distributed worldwide, so all L.M. Montgomery fans have a chance to see it. Let's hope that Story Girls Productions has great success in Berlin.


Image credit:
Photograph of Megan Follows.

References:

Balaga, Marta. (February 18, 2025). ‘Anne of Green Gables’ Star Megan Follows to Play Its Author Lucy Maud Montgomery in Series ‘Lucy. Maud’ (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Retrieved from: https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/anne-of-green-gables-megan-follows-lucy-maud-1236311127/.

Balaga, Marta. (February 18, 2025). Berlin’s Co-Pro Series Welcomes Skateboarders, Drug Kingpins and Fernando Meirelles. Variety. Retrieved from: https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/fernando-meirelles-berlinale-series-market-co-pro-series-1236311488/.

Megan Follows: Playing Anne in Anne of Green Gables and bringing the story to a new generation. (December 15, 2023). Q with Tom Power. CBC Arts & Entertainment. Retrieved from: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/megan-follows-playing-anne-in-anne-of-green-gables/id256943801?i=1000638664483.

Created February 19, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery Podcast Series

Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery is a seven-episode podcast series about the life of author L.M. Montgomery. The series launched on December 26, 2024, and new episodes are released biweekly. The series is written and hosted by Ryan Barnett. It is a production of Knockabout Media and was funded by the Government of Canada to commemorate the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth.

Along with listening, you can take part in the series. There's a call to listeners, which asks listeners to send in a voice memo about L.M. Montgomery by February 28, 2025. If you do, you might be featured in an upcoming episode of the series.

Series Description:

The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery once wrote that biography is a “screaming farce,” adding that the best biographies give only a two-dimensional portrait of its subject, while everyone has a half-dozen “different sides.” Aware of this fool’s errand, we’re leaning in, and examining the different-sidedness of Maud. Each episode explores her personal triumphs and struggles, her creative inspirations, and the ways in which her “scribblings” left a lasting impact on literature and culture.

Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers.

Credits:
Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett
Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti
Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet
Recorded by Tyler Rauman
This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.
Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Matthew Barnett

A Knockabout Media Production | Funded by the Government of Canada

Episode Synopses:

Episode 1: Spadework (27 minutes) - In this episode, we explore the formative years of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. We delve into her early life in Prince Edward Island and discuss the influences and experiences that shaped her writing, including the loss of her mother and the complexities of growing up in a strict household. Join us as we uncover how Montgomery’s youth laid the foundation for her beloved novels.

Episode 2: The Road to Anne (20 minutes) - Maud is now an adult. She attends teacher's college, gets engaged and falls in love (not necessarily in that order). She also begins writing the novel that will change her life: Anne of Green Gables.

Episode 3: Double Burden (24 minutes) - Maud is now a published author, and she is about to become a multi-hyphenate. In this episode, Maud also becomes a minister's wife, and a mother, and sadly she endures the greatest loss in her life.

Episode 4: A Woman's Humble Name (23 minutes) - Learning that she is under a bum publishing deal, Maud makes the decision to take on her long-time publisher, the shewed, Boston-based L.C. Page.

Episode 5: At Journey's End (38 minutes) - Maud faces some of the toughest years of her life : nuisance lawsuits, an unwanted pursuer, social ostracism, personal humiliations, and drug dependency colour her final days.

Episode 6: An Ode (with an E) to Maud (28 minutes) - This episode, we're doing something a little different. We are taking a pause from our narrative series to hear from you, the listeners. We asked you to send in voicemails with your feelings on Maud and her work, and you answered. A big thanks to Mike DiMascio, Irina Levchenko, Rebecca Sullivan, Laura Leden, Gabrielle Fortier, Naomi Burger, Kelly Gerner & Ragon Duffy, and Lois Adamson for your contributions to the show.

Episode 7: Red-haired Anne : Anne Shirley in Japan (28 minutes) - How did Anne of Green Gables become an icon in Japan? This is the story of Hanako Muraoka, the writer who faced grave danger in translating Maud's book—an enemy text—for future generations of Japan.

Additional Information on the Podcast:

February 18, 2025. Montreal, QC – TheNewswire – A new 7-part podcast series delves deep into the life and legacy of the iconic Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, whose beloved novel Anne of Green Gables has captivated readers around the world for over a century. The series, titled Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, launched this past Boxing Day.

Produced by Knockabout Media, Story Girl offers a fresh perspective on Montgomery’s remarkable life, exploring not only the creation of her timeless literary works but also the complexities of her personal experiences. It will guide listeners through key moments of Montgomery’s journey—from her early years in Prince Edward Island to her rise to fame and the challenges she faced as a woman writer in the early 20th century.

The series features interviews with descendants and experts, including Kate Macdonald Butler, Dr. Kate Scarth, Dr. Laura Robinson, Jessica Young, and Yuko Matsumoto. It is an immersive portrait of a woman who overcame personal tragedy and societal expectations to become one of the most celebrated authors of all time. Story Girl also explores lesser-known aspects of Montgomery’s life, including her struggles with mental health, her complicated relationship with fame, and the inspirations behind her beloved characters, including Anne Shirley, who continues to resonate with readers of all ages.

“On behalf of my family, we are pleased that our grandmother’s story will be told by way of a 7-part podcast. This 150th anniversary year was a true testament to the adoration for L.M. Montgomery, and now a podcast to be added to the list. We are very proud of our grandmother’s achievements.” - Kate Macdonald Butler, President, Heirs of L.M. Montgomery.

This new podcast series was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Montgomery’s birth.

“The novels of Lucy Maud Montgomery have been instrumental in celebrating and preserving the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of Prince Edward Island. Her stories invite us to dream, imagine and discover beauty in everyday life. By contributing to this meaningful project, we are honouring her legacy and joining in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of her birth – a moment to reflect on her life and journey as a female author in the 20th century.” — The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Story Girl is available for streaming on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, with new episodes dropping every two weeks.

For more information, including episode release dates and show details, visit www.knockaboutmedia.com or follow @knockaboutmedia on Bluesky.

About Knockabout Media

Knockabout Media specializes in creative non-fiction storytelling for the cultural and media sectors. On multiple platforms, and in collaboration with leading Canadian heritage interpreters, we commemorate the diverse stories that make Canada unique. We are the producers of the podcasts The Black Hum, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North, Among Equals, How I Wrote This, and The Story of a National Crime.

For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Ryan Barnett
416.737.9946
ryan@knockaboutmedia.com
www.knockaboutmedia.com


Official websites:

Story Girl at Knockabout Media
Story Girl at Apple Podcasts

Image credit:

Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery podcast series artwork featuring a photograph of Nora Lefurgey taken by L.M. Montgomery.

References:

New 7-Part Podcast Series Explores the Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Creator of Anne of Green Gables. (February 18, 2025). Press release. TheNewswire. Retrieved from: https://www.thenewswire.com/press-releases/1k1vFpwOK-new-7-part-podcast-series-explores-the-life-of-lucy-maud-montgomery-creator-of-anne-of-green-gables.html.

Story Girl. Knockabout Media. Retrieved from: https://knockaboutmedia.com/podcasts-2/story-girl/.

Story Girl Podcast. Apple Podcasts. Retrieved from: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/story-girl/id1783190708.

Created February 18, 2025. Last updated March 30, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Maud of Green Gables

Maud of Green Gables: How L.M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World is a book by Janet Wilson. Featuring Wilson's impressionist oil paintings, the limited edition picture book was released in September 2024 by Coach House Printing. The book celebrates the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth. It tells the story of L.M. Montgomery's life, how she was inspired to write Anne of Green Gables, and how the novel became a beloved classic worldwide. Throughout the book, there are quotes from Anne of Green Gables and from L.M. Montgomery's autobiography and journals.

In an article in The Wellington Advertiser, Wilson spoke about her book and L.M. Montgomery saying, "It’s kind of everything you’d ever want to know about Green Gables, but maybe you didn’t...A lot of it is about her process, how she came up with an idea, how she fit it into her schedule and why it is so popular internationally."

You can purchase Maud of Green Gables through Janet Wilson's webpage and the Shop at Sullivan website. The softcover book is 36 pages long and measures 8.5” x 11.”

Here is the description of the book from Shop at Sullivan:

Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of L. M. Montgomery! Featuring the captivating art of Janet Wilson.

This lovely non-fiction book explores the intertwined legacies of Anne Shirley's world and Montgomery’s life, tracing the story of Anne of Green Gables from conception to the 1908 publication, and through its meteoric rise to becoming a beloved classic in Canada and around the world.

Maud of Green Gables considers why L. M. Montgomery’s book has never been out of print and has been translated into over 40 languages, as well as why Anne Shirley is one of the most recognizable characters in all of literature. Much of this fascinating story is told in Montgomery's own words quoted from her autobiography, personal journals, and her debut novel, Anne of Green Gables.

ISBN-13: 978-1-0688776-0-5

Official Website:
Janet Wilson's webpage

Image credit:
Book cover of Maud of Green Gables.

Review:
Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World - a terrific review of the book by Helen K at CanLit for LittleCanadians.

Reference:
Thompson, Ellouise. (September 6, 2024). Eden Mills author offers colourful glimpse into life, work of renowned author L.M. Montgomery. The Wellington Advertiser. Retrieved from: https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/eden-mills-author-offers-colourful-glimpse-into-life-work-of-renowned-author-l-m-montgomery/.

Created December 3, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables Manuscript Added to Canada Memory of the World Register

L.M. Montgomery's handwritten manuscript for Anne of Green Gables was added to the Canada Memory of the World Register in honor of the 150th anniversary of the author's birth. The registry is administered by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and spotlights the most significant pieces of Canada’s collective history and heritage.

The Canada Memory of the World Register describes the manuscript as follows:

The manuscript includes 475 pages on which the story is handwritten, and an additional 96 pages of L.M. Montgomery’s notes where she recorded additions and insertions to the text. These provide unique insights into the reflections and creative process of this influential voice in Canadian literature. Confederation Centre of the Arts, in partnership with the L.M. Montgomery Institute and the Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island, launched a bilingual online exhibit in 2023 that allows readers around the world to access the fully digitized manuscript.

This special honor reflects L.M. Montgomery's contributions to Canadian culture.

Image Credit:
Scanned image of the first page of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery from The Anne of Green Gables Manuscript website.

References:
Anne of Green Gables manuscript added to the Canada Memory of the World Register. Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://en.ccunesco.ca/about-ccunesco/press/2024/11/anne-of-green-gables-manuscript-memory-of-the-world.

McMackon, Cassidy. (November 29, 2024). 'Anne of Green Gables' recognized as heritage document in UN agency's registry. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from: https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/anne-of-green-gables-recognized-as-heritage-document-in-un-agencys-registry/article_fd3d79d5-1667-5f6e-8fb1-66d8d649d12d.html.

Created November 29, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Maud's World: Celebrating 150 Years of Lucy Maud Montgomery at the Toronto Public Library

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth, the Toronto Public Library is presenting a special exhibit called "Maud's World: Celebrating 150 Years of Lucy Maud Montgomery." Located in the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, the exhibit includes first editions of L.M. Montgomery's novels and Montgomery's original letters.

Here is the description of the exhibit from the Toronto Public Library:

Celebrate Lucy Maud Montgomery's 150th birthday with the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books. From first editions of her classic novels to original letters penned by Montgomery herself, this exhibition explores the author's fascinating life and timeless stories. Best known for Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery was a Canadian icon in her own right, publishing 20 novels and countless short stories during her long career.

Free. All are welcome.

Located in the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, on the 4th floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch.

"Maud's World" opened on September 9, 2024, and the exhibit is ongoing until December 1, 2024. It is located at the Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library at 239 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R5. The exhibit is located on the 4th floor and is free to the public.


Official Website:
Maud's World: Celebrating 150 Years of Lucy Maud Montgomery

Image Credit:
Photograph of Lucy Maud Montgomery at her desk (1932) from Wikimedia Commons.

Reference:
Maud's World: Celebrating 150 Years of Lucy Maud Montgomery. (2024). Toronto Public Library. Retrieved from: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT511151&R=EVT511151.

Created November 29, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

A Green Gables Christmas

This weekend, the Green Gables Heritage Place is holding a festive event called "A Green Gables Christmas." It is their third annual Christmas event, and this year they are also celebrating L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday.

Visitors will have the chance to meet with Anne Shirley and view the beautifully decorated Green Gables House. The event will also feature cookie decorating, carolers, a snow globe light display, food and drinks, and a group dance.

A Green Gables Christmas takes place on November 30 to December 1, 2024 at the Green Gables Heritage Place on 8619 Route 6 in Cavendish, PEI. Adult tickets cost $18.75 CAD, and admission is free for children under 17 (accompanied by an adult). Visitors can also purchase a Green Gables Christmas mini photo session and have special holiday photos taken in the Green Gables house for $120 CAD.

Event details:

Families and friends are invited to the third annual Christmas event at Green Gables! It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore Anne’s house, beautifully decorated for the holidays, while enjoying a variety of fun activities together.

Throughout the day, guests will have the chance to meet Anne, who will be greeting visitors and adding a special touch to the festivities!

Children can get creative by decorating Christmas cookies, listening to cheerful carolers, and capturing memories at the enchanting snow globe light display. There’s plenty of entertainment for everyone—kids will love the Tunes and Tall Tales read-and-sing holiday story, along with a special performance by The Nest, a multilingual children's music studio, happening on both Saturday and Sunday!

All attendees can indulge in yummy sweets and warm drinks provided throughout the event. And they won’t want to miss the chance to celebrate L.M. Montgomery’s 150th birthday with a festive birthday celebration and a fun guided group dance to cap off the day!

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tunes & Tall Tales
11:00 am - 11:45 am: Live Music
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: TBD
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: UPEI Carolers
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Tunes & Tall Tales
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Montgomery's Birthday Celebration
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm: The Nest with Madame Abbey
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Group Dance with Historical Dance Society

It looks like such a fun way to start off the holiday season!

Official Websites:
A Green Gables Christmas - Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday - learn about the event at the Tourism PEI website
A Green Gables Christmas - Book tickets for the event at the Tourism Cavendish Beach website
A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday at the Inspiring World of L.M. Montgomery: A Literary Tour website

Image Credit:
Photograph of Anne Shirley decorating the Christmas tree at Green Gables Heritage Place from A Green Gables Christmas – Celebrating Montgomery’s 150th Birthday.

Created November 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

Famous People Who Share a Birthday with L.M. Montgomery

What do Billy Idol, Dick Clark, Winston Churchill and Elisha Cuthbert have in common with L.M. Montgomery?

They all share a birthday.

On November 30th, it will be the 150th anniversary of L.M. Montgomery's birth. I was curious about who shared a birthday with Montgomery, and I compiled this list of famous people who were born on the same day. Several are pictured in the graphic I created above.

Famous People Born on November 30th:

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) - Irish author and satirist, famous for writing Gulliver's Travels.

Mark Twain (1835-1910) - American author and humorist, famous for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Twain was a fan of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.

John McCrae (1872-1918) - Canadian physician, soldier and poet, famous for his war poem "In Flanders Fields," which likely inspired L.M. Montgomery's poem "The Piper."

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) - British Prime Minister (1940-45, 1951-55), military officer, and writer, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.

Edgar Adrian (1889-1977) - English scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1932.

Henry Taube (1915-2005) - Canadian-born American scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1983.

Dick Clark (1929-2012) - American radio and television personality and producer.

Joan Ganz Cooney (b. 1929) - American educational television writer and producer; co-creator of Sesame Street.

Ridley Scott (b. 1937) - English film director, known for Alien and Blade Runner.

Mandy Patinkin (b. 1952) - American actor and singer, known for Homeland, The Princess Bride, and his performances on Broadway.

Billy Idol (b. 1955) - British-American punk rock singer and songwriter, known for "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself."

Kaley Cuoco (b. 1985) - American actress known for The Big Bang Theory.

Elisha Cuthbert (b. 1982) - Canadian actress known for 24 and The Girl Next Door. I wonder if she likes L.M. Montgomery. Considering that her last name is Cuthbert and she got married on Prince Edward Island, I really hope so.


Image Credits:

I created this image in Photoshop using photographs and portraits of the following people (from top to bottom, and left to right): Mark Twain (from Wikimedia Commons), Billy Idol (from Music Ruined My Life), Winston Churchill from Wikimedia Commons), L.M. Montgomery (from The University of Guelph, L.M. Montgomery Research Center), John McCrae (from Wikimedia Commons), Elisha Cuthbert (from The Girl Next Door movie poster), Jonathan Swift (from Wikimedia Commons), Joan Ganz Cooney (from the Sesame Workshop, Joan Ganz Cooney Center), and Dick Clark (from Wikimedia Commons).

Created November 21, 2024. Last updated November 25, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com

In the Shadow of Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Life and Legacy - Canadian Time Machine Podcast

Today, a podcast was released titled, "In the Shadow of Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Life and Legacy" as part of Season 3 of Canadian Time Machine, a series produced by The Walrus Lab. The episode was created to honor the 150th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birth. In the 15-minute-long podcast, Angela Misri speaks with Kate Macdonald Butler, who is L.M. Montgomery's granddaughter.

They talk about L.M. Montgomery's legacy and how people see themselves in Anne of Green Gables. They mention how immigrants to Canada and ADHD and neurodivergent communities have found kinship with Anne Shirley. Kate Macdonald Butler talks about how she learned about her grandmother through conversations with her father. She feels that her grandmother is closer in terms of personality to Emily Starr from the Emily of New Moon series than she is to Anne Shirley. Kate Macdonald Butler also discusses how both L.M. Montgomery and her husband struggled with depression. Lastly, she talks about the new commemorative coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in celebration of Montgomery's birthday and legacy.

Give the podcast a listen through the links below.

Websites:
In the Shadow of Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Life and Legacy - Canadian Time Machine podcast and English transcript at The Walrus
In the Shadow of Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Life and Legacy - Canadian Time Machine podcast at Apple Podcasts

Image credit:
Image from The Walrus.

Created November 20, 2024.
© worldofanneshirley.com