Frances Hodgson Burnett

author · children's books · British-American

Wrote magical stories. Frances Hodgson Burnett created three timeless children's novels that are still loved today: Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden. These books have been adapted into movies, plays, and TV shows many times over.

Lived in two countries. She was born in England but moved to America as a young adult. Her British childhood and American life shaped the stories she wrote that appealed to readers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Secret Garden magic. Her most famous book, The Secret Garden, tells the story of children who discover a hidden, locked garden and bring it back to life. The garden itself becomes a character in the story, transforming just as the children do.

Wrote for grown-ups first. Before becoming famous for children's books, Burnett wrote short stories and novels for adults to earn money for her family. Her talent for storytelling eventually led her to create stories for young readers instead.

Playwright too. Burnett didn't just write novels, she also wrote plays for the stage. Some of her books were adapted into plays during her lifetime, bringing her characters to life on theater stages.