by Kate O'Leary

Created on: May 01, 2010

Pollyanna by Esther Hodgman Porter is one of my favorite books from childhood.  I first read Pollyanna when I was around ten and the book opened up new worlds for me.  From the beginning where Pollyanna meets her aunt after her father and mother dies I wanted Pollyanna to be successful and I wanted her aunt to love her and claim her as her own.  Unfortunately this is not how the story goes.  Pollyanna finds other in town who love her and began to claim her as her own.

She meets a friend who is the town scamp and the two of them have adventures that take them throughout town and into the homes and hearts of the townspeople.  The cranky old man who has lots of money but an empty life.  The old lady who refuses to get out of bed but lights up when Pollyanna enters her life and brings her treats.

The doctor in town is the father every little girl wants.  He was handsome and strong and smart and even more importantly he was in love with PollyAnna's aunt but Polly's aunt has been hurt and she is not going to love you or anyone else every again including the Doctor or PollyAnna and yet PollyAnna preserves.  She continues to focus on the positive, sticking with her story and her beliefs that she is loved by her parents and that she is loved by God and that there is much more good in the world then bad.

The story cumulative in the end with a big fair that is being raised to help the town.  Polly's aunt the town matriarch who is very wealthy forbids PollyAnna to attend and encourages all other member of the town to stay home.  However she is thwarted by PollyAnna and the preacher who realizes that he has not been leading his people according to principals but has been leading them by fear of the repercussions he would suffer if Polly's aunt no longer supported him.  At the end he confronts his fears and stands for the truth..

Polly sneaks out and is injured on her way back.  The entire town comes out in support of her.  To see the love this child inspired in everyone is what finally allows PollyAnna's heart to open and she lets Polly and the doctor in - the ending is left open but anyone after reading this story knows how it truly ends.  Polly gets her happy ending, she had faith and she believed and she was rewarded.

This would be a great book to read with your child as there are so many opportunities to sit and talk about a passage and what it means and to share stories of courage and honor.  To share your faith with your child and for your child to begin to develop a sense of helping others is honestly the best thing you can do to help yourself.

After you read the book wait a few weeks and watch the movie.  Make a giant bowl of popcorn and settle in for an evening that will give all involved a sense of security and a feeling of hope

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