Anne of Green Gables quotes, explained for kids
Anne Shirley talks so much that Anne of Green Gables is overflowing with quotable lines. Her words about imagination, friendship, October and fresh starts are some of the most loved lines in children’s books, and they still turn up on bookmarks, mugs and classroom walls. They are perfect for 6–9 year olds because Anne is a child too. Read a line in Anne’s breathless, dramatic voice, then use the question to talk about your child’s own big feelings and dreams.
Every line is quoted word for word from the original 1908 novel by L. M. Montgomery.
Quote 1: “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about?”
Anne Shirley, on the drive from the station, Anne wonders aloud why the roads on the island are red What it means: Anne loves that there are so many things she doesn’t know yet, because it means there is always something new to discover.
Ask your child: What is something you would love to find out about?
Quote 2: “please call me Anne spelled with an E.”
Anne Shirley, marilla asks Anne her name, and Anne explains how she wants it written What it means: Anne thinks “Anne” with an E at the end looks much more elegant and special than plain “Ann.”
Ask your child: Is there something special about how your name is spelled or what it means?
Quote 3: “I’m in the depths of despair. Can you eat when you are in the depths of despair?”
Anne Shirley, at supper on her first night, Anne has just learned that the Cuthberts wanted a boy, and she is too upset to eat What it means: “The depths of despair” means feeling as sad as you possibly can. Anne uses very big words for her very big feelings.
Ask your child: What do you do when you feel really, really sad?
Quote 4: “It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”
Anne Shirley, anne decides to enjoy a buggy ride with Marilla, even though she fears she will be sent away at the end of it What it means: Anne means that if you decide to have a good time, you usually will, even when things are hard.
Ask your child: Can you think of a time you decided to have fun and it worked?
Quote 5: “a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.”
Anne Shirley, anne asks Marilla whether she might find a “bosom friend” in Avonlea What it means: Anne longs for a best friend who truly understands her and who she can tell all her secrets to.
Ask your child: What makes someone a really good friend?
Quote 6: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
Anne Shirley, anne comes dancing in with her arms full of bright autumn maple branches What it means: Anne loves autumn so much that she is thankful the month of October exists at all.
Ask your child: What is your favorite month or season, and why?
Quote 7: “Marilla, isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
Anne Shirley, after a day of mix-ups, including a cake made with the wrong flavoring, Anne finds something hopeful to think about What it means: Every new day is a fresh start. Whatever went wrong today, tomorrow begins clean.
Ask your child: What would you like to do better tomorrow?
Quote 8: “I’d rather have you than a dozen boys, Anne”
Matthew Cuthbert, when Anne is older and has worked hard at school, she tells Matthew she wishes she had been the boy he needed What it means: Matthew is telling Anne that she is exactly who he wanted, and he would never swap her for anyone.
Ask your child: How do the people in your family show you they love you just as you are?
Quote 9: “When I left Queen’s my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it.”
Anne Shirley, near the end, Anne’s plans have to change, and she tells Marilla how she feels about it What it means: Anne thought she knew exactly what would happen next, but life surprised her. She decides to believe that something good is waiting around the bend.
Ask your child: Has something ever turned out differently from what you planned? What happened?
Quote 10: “you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”
Anne Shirley, in the last chapter, walking home at sunset, Anne looks out over Avonlea and speaks to the “dear old world.” What it means: Anne feels grateful for the beautiful world and happy just to be alive in it.
Ask your child: What is something beautiful you saw today?
Questions about Anne of Green Gables quotes
- What is the most famous quote from Anne of Green Gables?
- “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” is the most quoted line, along with “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Both are said by Anne to Marilla.
- Who said “tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet”?
- Anne Shirley says it to Marilla Cuthbert after a day full of mistakes. Marilla replies that Anne will surely make plenty more.
- What does “kindred spirit” mean in Anne of Green Gables?
- A kindred spirit is someone who thinks and feels the way you do, a person who truly understands you. Anne uses it for the people she loves best, like Diana and Matthew.
- Why does Anne want her name spelled with an E?
- Anne thinks “A-n-n” looks dreadful and “Anne” with an E looks much more distinguished. She asks Marilla to call her Anne spelled with an E.