First published serially in “St. Nicholas Magazine” from 1885 to 1886, “Little Lord Fauntleroy” was the first children’s book by the acclaimed English-American author Francis Hodgson Burnett, who would go on to write “A Little Princess” and “The Secret Garden”. “Little Lord Fauntleroy” is the story of seven-year-old Cedric Errol, who is living in poverty with his mother in New York after the death of his father, Captain Cedric Errol. Little Cedric suddenly inherits the title of “Lord Fauntleroy” and becomes the heir of his grouchy and very rich grandfather after the death of his father’s older brothers. Cedric’s grandfather never approved of his son marrying an American and had disinherited him. He demands that Cedric come alone to England so that he may transform Cedric in anticipation of his future role as the lord of the manor. However, it is Cedric who transforms his grandfather with his kind-heartedness, generosity, and innocent belief in the goodness of others. Cedric softens his grandfather’s hard heart and helps to finally mend the rift between his mother and his grandfather. This children’s classic was immensely popular after its publication and remains a charming and heart-warming tale of kindness and forgiveness to this day. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
