Why This Classic Still Matters?

Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With Silver Bells and Cockles Shells
And Marigolds all in a row.

This unlikely Children’s poem has many versions and in The Secret Garden (1911) written by Frances Hodgson Burnett the above versions threw to light how children of judge children best.The books theme is about how kids grow best playing in Nature’s lap.Even in the absence of parents,Mother Nature can heal broken hearts.In this Secret Garden book review  I will tell you about  “healing through nature”.Its not just a “children’s classic”,its a treasure for the

Its about  a little girl who belongs to no one.But she is not denied material comforts,just love.She has never been hugged and even when she receives it she is awkward.

One Liner

Orphaned Mary Lennox discovers a locked garden that transforms her and those around her forever.

Short Summary

Mary Lennox moves from colonial India(a lot of her description is disturbing to those who are unaware of the British Empires colonial past) to Yorkshire after losing her parents. She finds a hidden, neglected garden and slowly brings it back to life with new friends. As the garden blooms,how does Mary and her cousin Colin change?

Key Themes Parents and Teachers Will Love

Healing power of nature: Outdoor play and gardening linked with better mood, health, and resilience.

About second chances and learning from nature.

The power of belief and mindset: Colin’s health and its relationship with his fear and negative beliefs

Its about Growth Mindset Before it had a name

Through her journey,we find healing comes from self reflection.

Nature has a big role to play

We must  play.

We must let chldren be.Too much minding and meddling robs then of growth.

Sometimes helping others heal ,heals us.

Nature is important for wellbeing.

Children need Children for playing.

Sunlight and fresh air is good for everyone.

Children should neither get their way all the time nor should they be forever deprived.

Children learn from watching.Loving them teaches them about learning to love.

Some stories never grow old.

Structure and discipline is as important as play time and healthy food for kids.

Children learn better when they are interested to learn.

Growing a garden changes you forever.I wrote about this  in  How to  Walk ,Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You Want .

What Stands Out in This Book

The garden as a symbol of inner healing and emotional regulation.
Strong focus on nature, fresh air and playtime instead of only “sickroom care” and structured exercise.It talks about how nature is essential for kids .

Who is this book for?

Kids

Ideal age range: roughly 8–15 years; younger children will love it ,if read aloud .

Mom’s of kids

Father of kids who want a better understanding of what little girls like.

For nature lovers.I read it as an adult and absolutely loved it.

Pediatricians,Social Scientists exploring nature as a parameter for wellbeing.Its a classic example of epigenetics/environment affecting childhood development.

How is this classic is perfect for modern day parents and conversation about Mental health ?

• The story talks about grief, loneliness and making friends without it becoming preachy.
• It talks about outdoor time being  crucial for children especially those with anxiety, irritability,attention deficit, low energy.My book on How to  Walk ,Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You Want talks about the same for adults.
• Its the perfect book to support the  current conversations about children needing more green  time vs screentime.

“If you enjoyed this Secret Garden book review, share it and check my other classic children’s book reviews for more nature-and-wellness reads.

• Anne of Green Gables ,Anne of Avonlea are some other favorite Children’s classic with strong nature themes.
• Book review:Handbook of Day to Day Parenting Tips https://healthwealthbridge.com/book-review-handbook-parenting-tips/
  
• Books by Dr.Amrita Basu https://healthwealthbridge.com/books-by-dr-amrita-basu/
• A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers will Rule the world … https://healthwealthbridge.com/a-whole-new-mind-summary/

https://youtu.be/eBks1zGb9IA?si=LwXJWikn0N5l8feC

Peer‑reviewed evidence on green nature time for kids(compiled with the help of Perplexity)

1. McCormick R (2017). “Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children?”

• Review concludes that green space is associated with better mental well-being, overall health and cognitive development, improved attention, self-discipline and even higher test scores.

1. Dadvand P et al. (2015). “Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren.”

• Found that more greenness around schools was linked to better 12‑month progress in working memory and reduced inattentiveness in primary school children.

1. Dockx Y et al. (2022). “Early life exposure to residential green space impacts cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children.”

• Residential green space at ages 4–6 was associated with less hyperactivity and better attention and visual memory, independent of air pollution.

1. Saenen ND et al. (2023). “Residential green space improves cognitive performances in children.”

• Panel study showed that children aged 9–12 living with more surrounding greenery had better cognitive performance, even after accounting for traffic-related air pollution.

1. Cronshaw G et al. (2025). “The role of neighbourhood greenspace quantity on mental health and cognitive outcomes in childhood.”

• Longitudinal analysis from the UK Millennium Cohort found that greenspace quantity influenced trajectories of conduct problems and cognitive ability across childhood.

1. Review: “Green space access in the neighbourhood and childhood obesity.” (Obesity Reviews, 2020).

• Systematic review: access to green space was positively associated with physical activity and negatively associated with TV time, BMI and overweight/obesity in children.

1. Built environment & obesity reviews (2021–2024).

• Reviews highlight that green/open spaces, playgrounds and natural features support outdoor play, reduce sedentary time and improve cardiorespiratory fitness in children.

1. Systematic review on greenspace, bluespace and cognition in 0–18 year olds (2023).

• Summarises evidence that exposure to green and blue spaces is linked with better cognitive outcomes in children and adolescents.

Citations

[1] How to WALK,Write & Garden for the Healthy Life you want |Wellness Secrets #DrAmritaBasu #audiobook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBks1zGb9IA
[2] How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You … https://www.storytel.com/in/books/how-to-walk-write-and-garden-for-the-healthy-life-you-want-mind-body-spirit-10169870
[3] How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You Want https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/audiobook/how-to-walk-write-and-garden-for-the-healthy-life-you-want
[4] Browse Audiobooks Read By Amrita Basu https://www.audiobooks.com/browse/narrator/310373/amrita-basu
[5] Audiobook Archives https://healthwealthbridge.com/tag/audiobook/
[6] Does Access to Green Space Impact the Mental Well-being … https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28882650/
[7] Early life exposure to residential green space impacts … https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8885429/
[8] Green spaces and cognitive development in primary … https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4491800/
[9] Outdoor environment and obesity: A review of current evidence – PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11585820/
[10] Residential green space improves cognitive performances … https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36998070/
[11] The role of neighbourhood greenspace quantity on mental … https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40125921/
[12] Green space access in the neighbourhood and childhood obesity https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7988598/
[13] The Built Environment and Childhood Obesity – PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11443065/
[14] Childhood obesity: an ecological perspective – PMC – PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9510906/
[15] The relationship between natural environments and obesity – PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39445442/
[16] Exposure to greenspace and bluespace and cognitive … https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36731600/
[17] Healthwealthbridge by Dr.Amrita Basu | Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1Y54sFhYMF1aBOhEragWY2
[18] How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life you … https://www.facebook.com/HWBdramrita/videos/how-to-walk-write-and-garden-for-the-healthy-life-you-want-by-dramrita-basuaudio/2361772270928971/
[19] Audiobooks narrated by Amrita Basu https://www.lovereading.co.uk/audiobooks/narrator/amrita-basu
[20] How to Walk Write and Garden for the Healthy Life You Want … https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSEabB_iB62/
[21] Dr.Amrita Basu ( Misra) https://x.com/misra_amrita/status/1935317119157289469