Illustrated Classics are a wonderful way in which to introduce the classics to young readers. Children can gain knowledge of vocabulary though the pictures provided. In my experience, children are often intimidated by the sheer length of text of this book, but once they start reading it, it is hard to put down. Chapters are condensed from the original text. This version of A Little Princess is a fantastic version of the original well-loved classic.
Beautiful, charming, dark-haired, and petite, Sara Crew is a vivacious young girl whose indulgent father boards her in Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies while he travels to India. Miss Minchin tolerates Sara's outgoing and charming personality only because of her father's immense wealth. When Sara's father loses all of his wealth, however Miss Minchin shows her true colors of an ogress and relegates Sara into being the lowliest of positions - a maid - and forces her to slave away and exist on very little food, in a cold, bare attic room. Sara completes all her chores, and then spends her spare time reading to the younger students. One night a monkey appears in her room, and she returns the monkey to the house next door, thus beginning a friendship with the owner of the monkey. One of the most tragic parts of the book is when Sara, her friend and former classmate Ermengarde, and the scullery maid Becky are caught in the attic eating a secret box of goodies by Miss Minchin. Miss Minchin sends Ermengarde and Becky out of the room, but Sara receives the terrible punishment of being sent to bed without dinner.
“When she awakened at first she did not open her eyes. She felt too sleepy and-curiously enough-too warm and comfortable. Of course it was a dream. But something was forcing her to awaken-a sound-the sound of a crackling, roaring little fire.
Her eyes opened. In the grate there was a blazing fire; on the hob there was a little brass kettle hissing and boiling; upon the floor was a crimson rug; before the fire a folding-chair with cushions on it; by the chair a small folding table with a white cloth…’ I am dreaming-I only think I see it all. If I can only keep on thinking it.’”
As it turns out, the owner of the monkey is the one who has provided the wonderful miracle and more importantly, he is a former business partner of her father's. Mr. Carrisford has spent the past several years searching in vain for the elusive Sara. When Sara is found by her Mr. Carmichael and Ram Dass, it is discovered that she has regained all the wealth she had previously thought was lost.
I always wanted Sara to take revenge on Miss Minchin, but she is very gracious and allows Miss Minchen to retain her current position at the boarding school. This is an endearing classic of rags to riches which all students will love. ( )