October 27, 2025
Graphic Novel Classics: The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Heidi | Book by Mariah Marsden, Brenna Thummler, Hanna Luechtefeld, Ofride | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster Canada

Magical Books Like Anne of Green Gables That Will Steal Your Heart

Do you remember the first time you met Anne Shirley? She was that red-haired girl with the biggest imagination in the whole world. She talked and talked about beautiful things and made everyone smile. Anne of Green Gables is a story that makes us feel warm inside, like drinking hot chocolate on a cold day. The book shows us a girl who never gives up, who loves her friends, and who sees beauty everywhere she looks. Many people have read this book and fallen in love with Anne’s adventures. Now, if you finished reading about Anne and you want more stories just like hers, you are in the perfect place. There are so many wonderful books like Anne of Green Gables waiting for you to discover them. These stories have brave girls, amazing friendships, and adventures that will make your heart happy. Let me tell you all about these magical books that you will love just as much as you loved Anne.

What Makes Books Like Anne of Green Gables So Special

Before we talk about other books, let’s think about what makes Anne’s story so wonderful. Anne is an orphan girl who gets adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. She has red hair that she doesn’t like at first, and she has freckles on her nose. But the most special thing about Anne is her imagination. She can turn ordinary things into magical adventures. A simple walk becomes a journey through an enchanted forest. A plain tree becomes her best friend. Anne teaches us that life is beautiful if we choose to see it that way. Books like Anne of Green Gables share these same special feelings. They show us characters who are kind, who work hard, and who never stop dreaming. These stories take place in simpler times, when life moved slower and people had time to enjoy little things. They teach us about friendship, family, and being true to ourselves. When you read books like Anne of Green Gables, you feel like you are visiting good friends who make you feel happy and safe.

Heidi: A Mountain Girl with a Heart of Gold

One of the best books like Anne of Green Gables is a story called Heidi. This book is about a little girl who goes to live with her grandfather high up in the mountains. Heidi’s grandfather seems grumpy at first, but Heidi’s kind heart melts his grumpiness away like sunshine melts snow. Heidi loves the mountains, the goats, and her friend Peter who takes care of the goats. She runs and plays in the fresh mountain air every single day. Just like Anne, Heidi has a big heart and she sees good things everywhere. She makes friends easily and helps everyone around her feel better. The story shows us beautiful mountains, green fields full of flowers, and the simple joy of living close to nature. Later in the story, Heidi goes to the city to help a sick girl named Clara. Even though the city is different and sometimes hard for Heidi, she never loses her kind and cheerful spirit. Young readers who love books like Anne of Green Gables will fall in love with Heidi because she reminds us that being kind and cheerful can change the whole world around us.

Little Women: Four Sisters and Their Big Hearts

Another treasure among books like Anne of Green Gables is Little Women. This story is about four sisters named Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. They live with their mother while their father is away being a soldier. Even though they don’t have much money, they have something better – they have each other. Jo March is the most like Anne because she wants to be a writer and she has a wild imagination. Jo is always getting into funny trouble because she speaks her mind and doesn’t always follow the rules. Meg is the oldest and she tries to be a proper lady. Beth is quiet and sweet and loves to play the piano. Amy is the youngest and she wants to be an artist. Together, these four sisters go through happy times and sad times, but they always stick together. The book shows us how they grow up, make mistakes, learn lessons, and become wonderful young women. Just like books like Anne of Green Gables, Little Women teaches us about family love, following your dreams, and being brave even when things are hard. Every girl who reads this book finds a sister she relates to, and every reader learns that family is the greatest treasure of all.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm: Another Bright and Cheerful Girl

If you are looking for more books like Anne of Green Gables, you must read Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Rebecca is very similar to Anne in many ways. She is a cheerful girl with a big imagination who goes to live with her two aunts. One aunt is strict and serious, but Rebecca’s sunshine personality slowly makes everyone around her happier. Rebecca loves words and stories just like Anne does. She makes ordinary days special with her creative ideas and her positive way of looking at everything. She goes to school, makes wonderful friends, and has many adventures in her small town. Sometimes Rebecca makes mistakes because she is so enthusiastic and jumps into things without thinking. But her good heart always shines through, and people forgive her because they can see she means well. The book takes us to a lovely farm, shows us country life, and reminds us that attitude is everything. When you read about Rebecca, you will smile and laugh just like you did when you read about Anne. These books like Anne of Green Gables show us that one cheerful person can brighten up the whole world.

Pollyanna: The Glad Game That Changes Everything

Pollyanna is another one of those perfect books like Anne of Green Gables. Pollyanna is a young girl who loses her parents and goes to live with her wealthy but very stern Aunt Polly. Aunt Polly’s house is big and fancy, but it doesn’t feel warm and happy. Pollyanna brings something special with her – she plays something called the Glad Game. Her father taught her this game, and it is very simple. No matter what happens, you try to find something to be glad about. If it rains on your picnic day, you can be glad that the flowers will grow. If you hurt your leg, you can be glad that you didn’t hurt both legs. At first, people in the town think Pollyanna is silly for always being so cheerful. But slowly, one person at a time starts to see that being glad really does make life better. Grumpy people become friendly, sad people start to smile, and the whole town becomes a happier place. Like Anne, Pollyanna teaches us that our attitude can change our whole experience of life. Books like Anne of Green Gables show us characters who refuse to let hard times steal their joy, and Pollyanna is a perfect example of this beautiful lesson.

The Secret Garden: Where Friendship Helps Things Grow

The Secret Garden is a magical book that belongs on any list of books like Anne of Green Gables. This story is about a girl named Mary who is spoiled and grumpy at the beginning. She goes to live with her uncle in a huge, mysterious house in England after her parents die. The house has a hundred rooms, and somewhere on the property there is a secret garden that has been locked up for ten years. Mary finds the key to this garden and starts to bring it back to life. As she works in the garden, planting flowers and pulling weeds, something amazing happens – Mary herself comes back to life too. She stops being grumpy and becomes kind and happy. She makes friends with a boy named Dickon who understands animals and plants. She also discovers her sick cousin Colin who has been hidden away in the house. Together, Mary, Dickon, and Colin work in the secret garden, and as the garden grows beautiful, they all become healthy and happy. This book shows us that nature can heal us, that friendship is powerful, and that we can change ourselves if we really want to. Books like Anne of Green Gables often show us the healing power of nature and friendship, and The Secret Garden does this beautifully.

A Little Princess: Staying Kind When Life Gets Hard

A Little Princess is one of those books like Anne of Green Gables that makes you cry and smile at the same time. Sara Crewe is a rich little girl who goes to a fancy boarding school. She has beautiful clothes, lots of toys, and everything she could want. But the most special thing about Sara is that she is kind to everyone, even the servants and the girls who have nothing. She tells wonderful stories and shares everything she has. Then something terrible happens – her father dies and all the money is gone. The mean headmistress makes Sara become a servant in the school. Sara has to live in a cold attic, wear old clothes, and work very hard. But here is the amazing thing: Sara stays kind and keeps her dignity even when life is cruel to her. She continues to tell stories, help others, and imagine beautiful things. She pretends she is still a princess, because she believes that being a princess is about how you act, not about how much money you have. In the end, everything works out, but the real treasure of this story is seeing how Sara never lets hard times make her mean or bitter. Like books like Anne of Green Gables, this story teaches us that true character shows most when life gets difficult.

Emily of New Moon: Another L.M. Montgomery Treasure

Did you know that the same author who wrote Anne of Green Gables wrote other wonderful books too? Lucy Maud Montgomery created another amazing character named Emily. Emily of New Moon is perfect for people looking for books like Anne of Green Gables because it has the same beautiful writing and the same magical feeling. Emily is a young girl who goes to live with her strict relatives at New Moon farm after her father dies. Like Anne, Emily loves words and wants to be a writer. She has a special ability to describe things in beautiful ways. Emily is more serious and sensitive than Anne, but she has the same deep feelings and strong imagination. She makes loyal friends, has exciting adventures, and faces challenges with courage. The book shows us the beautiful countryside of Prince Edward Island, the same place where Anne lived. We see Emily grow up, face her fears, and work hard to make her dream of becoming a writer come true. If you loved Anne, you will love Emily too because they are like sisters – different in some ways but the same in their love of beauty, words, and deep friendships.

What Katy Did: Learning and Growing Through Adventures

What Katy Did is a wonderful addition to books like Anne of Green Gables. Katy Carr is a tall, wild girl who is always getting into scrapes and causing trouble. She doesn’t mean to be naughty, but she is so energetic and enthusiastic that accidents just seem to happen around her. Katy has five brothers and sisters, and she is supposed to help take care of them. She dreams of being perfect and wonderful someday, but that day always seems to be tomorrow, not today. Then something happens that changes everything – Katy has a terrible accident and becomes unable to walk. She has to stay in bed for years, and this seems like the worst thing that could ever happen. But during this time, Katy learns patience, kindness, and how to be cheerful even when things are hard. She becomes the sunshine of her family, helping everyone even though she cannot leave her bed. Eventually, Katy gets better and can walk again, but now she is truly the wonderful person she always dreamed of being. Books like Anne of Green Gables show us characters who grow and learn, and Katy’s journey from wild child to patient, loving young woman is beautiful to read.

The Railway Children: Adventure, Mystery, and Family Love

The Railway Children is another gem among books like Anne of Green Gables. This story is about three children – Roberta (called Bobbie), Peter, and Phyllis. They live in London with their parents until one day their father mysteriously disappears. Their mother moves them to a small cottage in the country near a railway. Life is very different now – they have less money, fewer things, and they miss their father terribly. But the children make the best of their new life. They make friends with the people who work on the railway, they have exciting adventures, and they help people in need. They wave to the trains every day, and the passengers wave back. The old gentleman on the train becomes their friend and helps them in secret ways. Throughout the story, the children stay brave, work together, and keep hoping that their father will come home. The book has mystery, adventure, kind people, and a happy ending that will make you cry with joy. Like books like Anne of Green Gables, this story shows us that family love is stronger than any trouble, and that being kind and helpful brings its own rewards.

Why These Books Will Make You Happy

All of these books like Anne of Green Gables share something special. They take us to simpler times when life moved slower and people had time to notice beautiful things. They show us characters who face hard times but don’t give up. They teach us that being kind is more important than being rich, and that friends and family are the greatest treasures. These stories remind us to use our imagination, to find joy in small things, and to always keep hoping for better days. When you read books like Anne of Green Gables, you feel like you are wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold day. You feel safe, happy, and inspired to be a better person. These are books you can read over and over again, and they will always make you feel good. They are perfect for reading before bed, for sharing with your family, or for those days when you need to remember that the world is still full of good things.

How to Enjoy These Books Even More

When you read books like Anne of Green Gables, here are some ways to make the experience even better. First, find a cozy spot where you can read without interruptions – maybe under a tree, in your favorite chair, or in bed with a soft pillow. Take your time with these books because they are meant to be savored, not rushed. Notice the beautiful descriptions of nature, the funny conversations between characters, and the little lessons hidden in the stories. You might want to keep a journal where you write down your favorite quotes or draw pictures of the characters. You could also read these books out loud to your younger siblings or even to your pets – they make wonderful read-aloud stories. Consider starting a book club with your friends where you all read the same book and then talk about your favorite parts. You could even have a tea party like Anne did and discuss the characters while eating cookies. Some people like to read the whole series of a character – Anne has seven more books after the first one, and Emily has three books. Reading the whole series lets you grow up with the characters and see how their lives unfold. you can also read this How Far Is Too Far to Drive to Work: Finding Your Perfect Commute Distance

Conclusion

Now you know about many wonderful books like Anne of Green Gables that are waiting for you to discover them. Each of these books offers something special – brave girls, loyal friendships, beautiful descriptions of nature, and lessons about kindness and courage. Whether you choose to read about Heidi in her mountains, Jo and her sisters, Rebecca at her farm, or any of the other amazing characters, you are in for a treat. These books have been loved by children and adults for many years, and they never get old. They remind us of what really matters in life and inspire us to be our best selves. So pick up one of these books like Anne of Green Gables today. Find a comfortable spot, open the first page, and let yourself be transported to a world of imagination, friendship, and adventure. Just like Anne said, “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it yet.” These books will give you fresh new worlds to explore and new friends to meet. Your heart will be fuller, your imagination will be richer, and you will understand why people have been reading and loving books like Anne of Green Gables for over a hundred years. Happy reading, dear friend, and may you find as much joy in these pages as Anne found in her beloved Green Gables.

Stephanie Kindlers

Hi, I’m Stephanie Kindler. I write general information articles for Forbiez.co.uk, covering a wide range of everyday topics that are helpful, clear, and easy to read. I enjoy breaking down information in a way that’s simple and accessible, and I’m always looking to create content that’s useful and engaging for readers.

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