Author Description

The Wonderful Garden or The Three Cs is decidedly one of Edith Nesbit's more obscure children's novels. The three Cs refer to the main protagonists of the book: idealistic, responsible Caroline; passionate Charlotte, and curious and occasionally sulky Charles, three siblings whose parents are away in India. Thanks to this, the children are shuffled off to a Mysterious Great Uncle Charles (generally called "Uncle" in the book to prevent any confusion), but not before getting a book that might just might be magical, especially when combined with other books: The Language Of.This is not, as you might be and I was hoping, the language of elves, but rather of flowers, that complicated Victorian system of conveying messages in bouquets, something that Nesbit covers with a touch of humor and a certain fierce glee in this book; careful readers might even learn what various flowers supposedly "mean." But the three Cs are less interested in sending messages, and more interested in working spells.And they have reason to try. On their way to their uncle's, they meet up with a troubled, sulky boy named Rupert, travelling with his tutor, whose parents are also in India. Rupert is clearly in need of help. As is their uncle, who is trying to finish a book while searching for some lost ones. And an old woman about to be turned out of her home to serve the needs of wealthy weekend visitors, Rupert's tutor, and a leopard. So the three Cs gather flowers and other plants together (and in one case, mashed potatoes, to serve as "potato") to weave their spells.................. the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is best known for his illustrations of children's books and fantasy literature.......................ith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 - 4 May 1924) was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit.She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books of children's literature. She was also a political