Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World

Written and illustrated by Janet Wilson 

978-1-0688776-0-5
39 pp.

All ages

September 2024 

 

While the world knows the story of Anne of Green Gables, in whatever configuration they may have enjoyed–so many adaptations!–the story of her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery, is less known to most of us. Was her story that of Anne's? Did she write from personal experiences? Was there really a Green Gables? And how did a freckled and red-haired girl enchant the world so completely?

From Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World, written and illustrated by Janet Wilson

The story within Maud of Green Gables is about the writer and her story. It's about being brought up by her grandparents, trying to get an education at a time when women were often relegated to housework, and finding her passion in writing. It is about Maud's writing, from childhood and throughout her life, and the process of getting Anne's story rejected and accepted and then lauded globally. It's about how she felt about her book and the world. It's about how she saw herself and her place in the world, whether living on Prince Edward Island or in Ontario, whether as a freelance writer or a novelist.

 

“But oh, I love my work! I love spinning stories,
and I love to sit by the window of my room
and shape some ‘airy fairy’ fancy into verse.”

 

And, though Janet Wilson peppers her story with photographs and direct quotes from Montgomery's diaries and from her novel, reminding us that Maud of Green Gables is a biography of Lucy Maud Montgomery, it is the artwork that makes the story sing.

From Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World, written and illustrated by Janet Wilson

 Janet Wilson's oil paintings do more than just captivate. First, they let us see Anne of Green Gables again and in a different light. (And the light in Janet Wilson's art is brilliant!) We see Anne as she dreams, as she imagines, as she takes in the wonders of her world, and as she treasures moments with those she loves.

From Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World, written and illustrated by Janet Wilson

But Janet Wilson also lets us see Lucy Maud Montgomery beyond the images recorded in photographs. Those images of her as a child or as a woman, or of her homes and those in her life are static. They captured a person or a place in one moment. Janet Wilson's paintings give us heart and always radiant light. Whether Maud is reading with a cat on her lap, playing with a camera, or walking along a shore, there is a radiance that comes from within.

From Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World, written and illustrated by Janet Wilson

Maud of Green Gables could have been a dry biography about L. M. Montgomery's story, from early life and family to education and writing and then to her marriage and death. But anyone could tell that story. Telling it with the richness of this art could only be done by the likes of Janet Wilson, the artist whose realism brought In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae, written by Linda Granfield, to life. Here her art recreates Maud and Anne with light and life. Moreover, by quoting from Maud's diaries and from Anne's story, Janet Wilson connects the two women on a deeper level, reaching into the hearts of Anne and Maud simultaneously and making us feel for both writer and character and know them both a little better.

 

• • • • • • • 

 

Janet Wilson launches Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World this Saturday (September 7, 2024) in Eden Mills, Ontario. Check here for details, including how to purchase her new book.

 

 • • • • • • •

Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World: Book launch (Eden Mills, ON)

 

Renowned Canadian author and illustrator Janet Wilson 

 is launching her newest book 

and it's a venture like none she's ever created.

 

 

Janet Wilson is well-known for illustrating books for Robert Munsch, Linda Granfield, Andrea Spalding, Sheree Fitch, and other Canadian authors.

 

She's also made her mark with several illustrated series of social justice books including her award-winning One Peace and Our Earth.

 

 

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery's birth in 1874, Janet Wilson will be launching a special limited edition picture book, Maud of Green Gables: How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World.
 

 

Maud of Green Gables: 

How L. M. Montgomery's Anne Enchanted the World

Written and illustrated by Janet Wilson 

39 pp.

The launch will be held 

on Saturday, September 7th, 2024

from 1 -3 PM

at the 

Eden Mills Community Club

104 York Street

Eden Mills, ON

There will be an exhibit of Janet Wilson's paintings and studies for the book,

and

some raspberry cordial, of course.

Details about the book, including some art and an excerpt, may be found at Janet Wilson's website at http://www.janetwilson.ca/new-maud-of-green-gables.html. (n.b. The book is currently only slated for availability through the author-illustrator herself. Contact information is provided through the link above.)

 

• • • • • • •

 

Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action

Written and illustrated by Janet Wilson

Second Story Press

978-1-77260-103-9

32 pp.

Ages 7-12

September 2019

Together, we want to show that everyone can do something for our future and that together, as a world family, we can solve these problems.

With that hopeful message, Janet Wilson begins her latest non-fiction book about young activists who are working to make a difference.

In each double-spread, Janet Wilson dedicates original art and story to one warrior for world justice and then also mentions two other influencers who have taken on a similar cause. In the breathtaking mixed media technique of hot wax painting–applying layers of hot beeswax mixed with resin and oil colour–Janet Wilson depicts young activists in rich landscapes of place and triumphs. Her art is deep in texture and colour, luxuriant in its content and in its composition. 

From Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action by Janet Wilson

Canada's Autumn Peltier from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island is profiled for her advocacy for clean drinking water for her community which supported the work of her aunt, Water Walker Josephine-ba Mandamin.  Stella Bowes and Marcus Deans are also showcased for their work to ensure water quality in Canada and elsewhere.

American Jaelun Parkerson encouraged his youth football team to emulate Colin Kaepernick's taking of the knee to protest racism and police brutality while Hebh Jamal organized protests against Islamophobia and Claudette Colvin's actions in 1955 helped end bus segregation in Alabama.

In Indonesia, sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen organized themselves to get plastic bags banned where they live, and Edgar Edmund Tarimo and Hannah Testa have both taken action to combat plastic pollution at home and globally.

We youth may only be 25 percent of the world's population but we are 100 percent of the future. 

(Melati and Isabel Wijsen, pg. 11)

From Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action by Janet Wilson

Jesse Thompson fought against discrimination leveled against him as a transgender hockey player and Ke'Shon Newman has spoken out against the prevalence of gun violence in America.

"Our voices are LOUD. Our voices are CLEAR. And, our voices are about to change HISTORY."

(Ke'Shon Newman, pg. 25)

From Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action by Janet Wilson

These are young leaders who are fighting against pollution, climate change, against cruelty to animals, in support of those struggling in war-torn countries and seeking refuge. They are fighting gun violence, bullying and supporting mental health. They live in Canada and the U.S. as well as in Kenya, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Indonesia, Colombia and elsewhere. Their stories are as diverse as their issues of concern and their homelands. It becomes evident that there is much in our world that needs fixing and that there are many young people around the globe who are willing to step up and take action.

With Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action, Janet Wilson has added new stories to her impressive series (see other titles in this series below) regarding laudable young people who recognize their obligation to do something to make the world a better place than the one they have inherited. Kudos to them for putting themselves out there and encouraging others to do the same, and to Janet Wilson for shining a light on their extraordinary efforts.

Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet (2010)

Our Rights: How Kids are Changing the World (2013)

Our Heroes: How Kids are Making a Difference (2014)

Our Future: How Kids are Taking Action (2019)

Illustrator Janet Wilson: Art Show and Sale (Eden Mills, ON)

Artist Janet Wilson

author and illustrator of numerous award-winning youngCanLit

will be holding an

  Art Show and Sale 

on
  Saturday, December 3, 2016 
and
  Sunday, December 4, 2016

 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

at

Rivermead
home of the Eden Mills Writers' Festival

19 Cedar Street

Eden Mills, ON
N0B 1P0

This is a perfect opportunity to purchase Janet Wilson's breathtaking art (early Christmas gift?)

Preview of works available are posted at
janetreidwilsonfineart.com

Eric Walters and Special Guests: November 21, 2015 (Guelph, ON)

Extraordinary author event

coming to Guelph, Ontario!

Join youngCanLit authors 

Eric Walters

Janet Wilson

Vicki Grant

Lisa Dalrymple

and

Jo Ellen Bogart

on Saturday, November 21, 2015

11 a.m.

at

Chapters Guelph

Stone Road Mall


It's a perfect chance to get some early Christmas gifts
and
get them autographed by award-winning authors!

Severn and the Day She Silenced the World: Book Launch (Eden Mills, ON)

Celebrate Earth Day 2014

with

Janet Wilson

fine artist and author 

of numerous picture books 

and 

non-fiction social justice books

including

One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists 

(Orca Book Publishers, 2008)

Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet 

(Second Story Press, 2010)

Our Rights: How Kids are Changing the World 

(Second Story Press, 2013)

and

Shannen and the Dream For a School 

(Second Story Press, 2011)

for the launch of her newest book

Severn and the Day She Silenced the World

by Janet Wilson

Second Story Press

978-1-927583-23-4

184 pp.

Ages 9-13

Released April 19, 2014

Tells the true story of Severn Cullis-Suzuki, daughter of environmentalists Tara Cullis and David Suzuki, who spoke at the closing of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio when she was only twelve-years-old and grabbed the attention of the world.

The Book Launch 

will be held on

Saturday, April, 26, 2014

from 2 - 3 p.m.

at

Eden Mills Community Hall, Club Room

108 York Street

Eden Mills, Ontario

(east of Guelph)

Map here

There will be a presentation, books for sale and signing, and refreshments. 

First Nation Communities Read 2012 Winner announced

Celebrate the onset of National Aboriginal History Month 

with the compelling text with First Nation, Métis or Inuit content

 that has won 

the 2012 First Nation Communities Read program.  

The winner of the 2012 First Nation Communities Read 

program,  as selected by the First Nations public library communities of Ontario, is .  .  .

Shannen and the Dream for a School

by Janet Wilson

 Second Story Press

978-1-926920-30-6

206 pp.

Ages 8+

2011 

This non-fiction text by award-winning author and illustrator Janet Wilson tells the story of thirteen-year-old Shannen Koostachin who in 2007 began her fight to have a new school built in her Cree community of Attawapiskat in northern Ontario.  Since 1979, when the school was contaminated after a fuel oil spill, the community of Attawapiskat had been using temporary portables lacking heat and susceptible to mould as a school.  Shannen and fellow students began the Students-Helping-Students campaign that included a YouTube video, visits to Ottawa, Facebook pleas and letter-writing, and became the largest child rights movement in Canadian history.

~ CONGRATULATIONS TO JANET WILSON 

 AND SECOND STORY PRESS ~

The following PowerPoint presentation, uploaded from YouTube, was produced by Shannen and her fellow students as a plea to Minister Chuck Strahl for a new school.

  

Uploaded by BrendaBozlo on Mar 23, 2008 to YouTube.

This documentary short, also uploaded from YouTube, covers Shannen's story in full as told by HeartSpeakTV.

Uploaded by HeartspeakTV on Jan 23, 2011 to YouTube

          ~             ~               

Do yourself a favour and read Janet Wilson's Shannen and the Dream for a School for a compassionate and informative read about a poignant story of a community's quest for social justice.