Eleanor H Porter

Pollyanna Eleanor H Porter

Pollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same very optimistic outlook. Also, the subconscious bias towards the positive is often described as the Pollyanna principle. The book was such a success that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up (1915). Eleven more Pollyanna sequels, known as "Glad Books", were later published, most of them written by Elizabeth Borton or Harriet Lummis Smith. Further sequels followed, including Pollyanna Plays the Game by Colleen L. Reece, published in 1997. This is a timeless classic expressing the universal message that every aspect of life should be looked at in a positive way. It follows the actions of its protagonist, eleven-year old Pollyanna who goes to live with her stern Aunty Polly, where she faces many challenges with a smile on her face. Although Pollyanna is considered a children's novel, it is in fact intended to be enjoyed by all ages. As it explores themes of rejection, deprivation and illness, the novel relates to a wide audience. Porter offers an enlightening journey into the world of a child's innocence, whose positive energy has the mystical power to alleviate even the bleakest social and personal circumstances. With a good storyline and a positive message, Pollyanna is an inspiration to many never to give up on life.