The Secret Garden, by Frances Hogdson Burnett

What is that? " she said, pointing out of the window. 

Martha, the young housemaid, who had just risen to her feet, looked and pointed also, "That there?" she said.  

" Yes." 

" That's th' moor," with a good-natured grin. "Does tha'like it?" 

" No," answered Mary. " I hate it." 

" That's because tha'rt not used to it," Martha said, going back to her hearth. " Tha' thinks it's too big an' bare now. But tha' will like it.'

I came across this book when I was searching for legally free books for children. I am sometimes in want of ideas for the bedtime stories I tell my kids, and I thought I could get some from a classical storybook.

However, when I read the first pages I realised that the book was not suitable for my purpose. The story was attractive, though, so I kept on reading. What I found was a powerful, edifying story which was at the same time simple and clever. Readers tend to be bored at descriptions and hungry for action, but in this case the lack of trepidant course of events is not perceived as uninteresting. The pace of things makes the reader develop an interest and pay attention to all the changes that do take place.

Images are surprisingly rich - it is a song to the beauty of small, simple things.

What surprised me most is that the book is full of food for tought and universal themes like connection with nature, active learning, children and limits, and the renounce to selfishness leading to a full and happy life.