A Little Princess by Frances Burnett

Sara Crew was only a little girl when her father died. She was all alone in a London boarding school when she heard the news from her head teacher. Papa had died of tropical fever, she was told, and left her with nothing, his business in India having failed.

This beautiful story – the only one I can remember to have brought tears to my eyes – is that of riches to rags. Mysterious little Sara, wise beyond her years, maintains inspiring determination and dignity despite being pushed to humiliating depths of despair. She is a role-model even Socrates would have marvelled at (Socrates was sentenced to death for his Philosophical views) and a tale that ought to be read by every child.

• Note – a film was made of the story, but apparently is a complete kill. Avoid!

Frances Burnett has a wonderful way with her words and prose. There’s something magical in the way she writes – a great skill many Children’s authors have – that creates a beautiful and emotional connection between you and the characters. You feel what Sara feels, and you’re taken on a journey of happiness, sadness, and of course, as all princess stories end, happiness once more.

  
It is a children’s book that will melt the heart of every adult. Recommended to me by a close friend, I was skeptical of it at first. Why should I waste my time reading such a thing? After all, I had just finished The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson and Leonardo Da Vinci by Charles Nicholl. Shouldn’t I concentrate on similar thought pieces? It was precisely this question which made me think I should give it a go. By being so selective in what you read, how do you know you’re not missing out on not just books, but entire genres?

A Little Princess is not only a story that will remind you again of the importance and beauty of kindness, but also how you should give something else a go, read something you wouldn’t normally, at least become aware of corridors full of unopened doors.

The perfect read, give A Little Princess a go.