November 30, 2024 marks Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 150th birthday, and Sarah Emsley has been hard at work gathering scholars and fans together to contribute pieces of writing inspired by LMM. Sarah’s blog has been hosting a tribute to LMM this month called “‘A World of Wonderful Beauty’: L.M. Montgomery at 150″. If you’re at all an admirer, be sure to check out the fabulous entries. I am in awe of the number of ways in which Maud has influenced readers and inspired them to find connections with her writing and work in the world and in their everyday lives.
I was delighted when Sarah asked me to be one of the contributors to this series, but also daunted by the task of coming up with a topic on which to write. In the end, I decided to stick with what I know: books. “Anne Lives On” is partly about my own experience with LMM as a child and partly about the array of children’s books that have been inspired by LMM’s most popular heroine, Anne Shirley. “It’s only natural that other Anne-lovers who have grown to become children’s authors would want to share their own love of the daydreaming, word-loving, magical character that is Anne, and the world of everything that is L.M. Montgomery, with young readers.”
Other topics in the series include: “kindred spirits” and friendship; nature, trees, and the Emily Carr connection; story-telling, love of place and marking place on the literary map; LMM’s trademark humour; LMM in translation; and the comfort of cats.
Thank you, Sarah, for putting together this tribute to a life-long friend.
Happy 150th Birthday to Maud!
Consumed by Ink 
I enjoyed your account of your holidays. Mine were nearly all spent on my grandparents’ farm, but driving hundreds of miles with all the kids stuffed in the back seat definitely resonates. (I rarely did it with my own kids, though we drove and camped from Melbourne to Perth a couple of times – 3,500 kms, 4 days each way).
I had no writer comparable to your love for Montgomery. Richmal Crompton and the William books would be closest.
Thanks for reading, Bill!
I would say that going 3500km more than once with kids is pretty impressive! All the trips we’ve taken with our own kids have been under a day, most under 5 hours. But we’ve been lucky to live near some pretty incredible camping spots.
Oh, how lovely to see the notes in your first copy of Anne of Green Gables, Naomi(e)! The edition I read for the first time was that same one—also at age 8, though I didn’t record it in the book.
Thank you very much for sharing the link to the series and thank you again for your wonderful guest post filled with memories, photos, and fascinating analysis of recent adaptations of Anne’s story.
Happy LMM150 and long may the celebrations of her writing and her world continue, online and in person!
Thanks again for hosting, Sarah! A real labour of love. 🙂
I’m so glad I took those pictures of my book when I did – shortly after that, our dog ripped my book apart and the pieces of it are now stored in a ziploc bag. Lol
Oh wow, I love seeing your first copy of Anne of Green Cables and your notations. So sweet! Thanks for sharing this and for your wonderful post in the series. It’s obvious why I felt upon meeting you that we were kindred spirits!
So true, Marianne (with an ‘e’)! Becoming friends felt effortless! 🙂
So true! 🙂
I have to get to PEI! Thank you for that lovely photo of Green Gables and your own first edition is gorgeous, your heart – just lovely!
Thanks for reading, Jane! 🙂
Well, if you would just FEED poor Exxo, he wouldn’t be looking to devour all your favourite books. (Awww, that’s sad, actually. But perhaps you’ve been craving a newer copy too? I have the same edition but with the slightly darker version of the cover, you probably can picture the one I mean. The print was super tiny and the margins were narrow; your eyes will thank you for a more readable edition. #silverlinings) Why was there a pawprint under the blue signature? I’ve already left a comment on Sarah’s page, so I’ll just echo that I loved the photos and all the layers of memories you shared.
When she was younger, she used to put a paw print after her name – I believe in honour of cats, but it could have been cats and dogs.
I would love a whole new set of the Anne books with the Elly MacKay covers!
Thank you. 🙂
Oh, I will have to go and check this out! I love Montgomery’s work and she certainly shaped my childhood. Just a few weeks ago I hauled out some boxes of books from the basement, books from my own childhood that I’ve been keeping for my girls, and there were stacks of Montgomery’s books that now we’re enjoying together!
What a treasure. Enjoy! 🙂
I was late to the party. Just read Anne of Green Gables for a KidLit writers week on PEI last September. LOVED IT! And visiting brought the book and its characters even more to life. I’ll be reading the others for sure 🙂
LOVE to hear this, Donna! And what a great time of year to visit the island! 🙂