Anne's Feelings

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables

Written and illustrated by Kelly Hill

Tundra Books

978-0-7352-6287-4

22 pp.

Ages 0-3

May 2019

While many school curricula mandate the teaching very young children to manage their emotions, it's not always easy for kids when they can't identify those feelings in the first place. They may know the way their tummy feels or if their face gets hot and red, but putting names to those emotions and their origins is not always easy. I think that Kelly Hill's latest board book inspired by Lucy M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables can help steer young children to some understanding of basic emotions that include those that are troublesome and those that are uplifting.

From Anne's Feelings by Kelly Hills

In a series of double-spreads of illustration and text, Kelly Hill depicts Anne and a few others as they experience a full range of feelings. They– but mostly Anne–are hopeful, or in the depths of despair, calm or excited, angry, scared, happy, brave, surprised, full of wonder, and loving. From Anne showing hope as she waits for a train that might take her to a real home or excited about ice cream, angry at Gilbert for calling her "Carrots" or showing love for Matthew and Marilla, Kelly Hill's illustrations of each emotion are true to Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic story of the orphan girl who finds a home at Green Gables.

From Anne's Feelings by Kelly Hill

While parents and teachers may be most enamoured with the teachings available in the variety of emotions depicted by the well-loved character, children will be tickled with Kelly Hill's cut fabric and embroidery illustrations. (The book's copyright page and credits on the back cover actually describe the artwork as "created with fabric, thread, embroidery floss, a hint of hope and a drop of bravery.") The artwork is colourful and textured, detailed but without being too busy.

From Anne's Feelings by Kelly Hill

Use Anne's Feelings to introduce lessons about feelings but don't forget to use it as a wonderful bridge to the inspiration for Kelly Hill's whole series of board books which includes Anne's Colors, Anne's Numbers and Anne's Alphabet. Anne would surely support the books that bring "simple pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."

Anne's Alphabet

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables

Written and illustrated by Kelly Hill

Tundra Books

978-0-7352-6286-7

28 pp.

Ages 0-4

May 2019

For parents and teachers who might like to introduce concepts like the alphabet with a truly Canadian flavour, there is a wonderful series of board books from Kelly Hill inspired by L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Anne's Alphabet is just one of the latest.

From Anne's Alphabet by Kelly Hill

Anne's Alphabet starts with, of course, A for Anne, but then fans of the quintessential Canadian novel will recognize the birch grove of B, G for Gilbert, I for imagination which the young girl has in abundance, K for kindred spirit, L for Lake of Shining Waters, M for Marilla and Matthew, and ending with the Zs as Anne drifts off to sleep.

From Anne's Alphabet by Kelly Hill

Kelly Hill's vocabulary selections for each letter will undoubtedly spark discussions about the inspiration for her book but it's her illustrations made from cut fabric and embroidery that steal the presentation. They are colourful and textured. They are eye-catching and draw the reader to explore details in the letters, in Anne's dress and expressions, and the landscapes of her Green Gables and environs. 

From Anne's Alphabet by Kelly Hill

You can see the shadow effect on the letters to make them look three-dimensional, the sewing stitches, and the twisting of yarn in Anne's hair. Kelly Hill makes everything in Anne's Alphabet so enchanting that the alphabet may offer opportunities for study but the art invites indulgent scrutiny.