This past weekend my daughter gave me a Mother’s Day gift that confirmed my belief that I’d raised a book-lover like myself (as if I needed such confirmation!).

Beyond the obvious that this is a good-sized, really sturdy tote bag, it has the added fun of being a visual representation of one of our favorite fictional characters: Anne of Green Gables.

The design consists of tiny little words from the actual novel!*

My daughter really is a natural bookworm. She’s loved reading as long as I can remember –  however it’s a special memory to recall the first time she read Anne of Green Gables. When Matthew dies (I hope that’s not a spoiler for some who haven’t read it!) my daughter had tears running down her face. That was the first time I knew she’d be a life-long reader, because she allowed the characters a place so real in her heart that it moved her to tears.

That is, of course, the goal of every writer. We invite our readers in and hope they become so deeply immersed into our story world that it leaks out into the real world through tears, laughter, a sigh, raised brow, quickened pulse, or some other expression that’s as tangible as the book in their hands.

*For other designs from the classics, visit Litographs.