The Gate of the Giant Scissors

by Annie Fellows Johnston

The story of Joyce and her adventures in France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her the delightful experiences of the 'House Party' and the 'Holidays'.Alternately published as The Giant Scissors and The Gate of the Giant Scissors .

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1898

About the author

Annie Fellows Johnston (1863-1931) was an American author of children's fiction who wrote the popular "Little Colonel" series, which was the basis for the 1935 Shirley Temple film The Little Colonel. She was born and grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small unincorporated town near Evansville, Indiana.

Reviews

[Julian Inah Anunciacion · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is drugs: It gives you that exclusive high. But it is a high that only your childhood made you feel. All that nostalgia and happiness and bubble gum, sugary happily-ever-after moods of fairy tales.

As a children's book, The Gate of the Giant Scissors is pretty good but not particularly excellent, because it lacks originality. It is a mixture of The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women.

Everyone needs this kind of innocence in his reading list every once in a while. After reading about cynical books for a while this little book about goodness made a refreshing impact on me. I cannot think of something too literary to say. It is sacrilege to do so.

I strongly recommend this book for people who already forgot how to find happiness in the simplest of things.

[Christine McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of twelve year old Joyce Ware,, an American visiting a little village.near Tours in the Loire valley. Battling homesickness herself, her empathy and spirit helps reunite a long-divided family behind the Gate of the Giant Scissors. Fun to read about Christmas customs of the late 19th century, too!

[Kati Polodna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mmm felt disjointed.

[Linda S. Bologna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring story

We own a hard copy of this book, printed in 1895, and given to my daughters when when they were small by a dear friend. It had been a treasured book of her grandmother's. We enjoyed reading it many times. My oldest daughter, who lives in another state now, asked me to send her the book. She is sharing it with her two daughters. I was so happy to find a download of this book, so I can read and share it again. The illustrations are wonderful! I feel like I have visited France! C'est une belle histoire!

[Jayme Pendergraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little fairy tale about the power of doing good in this world. The story of a small American girl who travels to France and befriends a neighboring family and the adventures she and the small boy have. Quick and worth the read.

[Emily]

I was attracted to this book by the title, expecting something Edward Gorey-esque, but it proved to be a sweet, benign book.

[Kristie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read aloud for the kids. Clean, sweet and filled with service to others.