My public library has the 3-disk DVD set of the first season of "Tales from Avonlea". Sarah was supposed to be 10, but young actress Sarah Polley looks more like 8. It is remarkable that a series would be built around such a young actress, but it works because she is so good and so believable.
The first episode on the disk recounts how Sarah ended up in Avonlea, a rural town on Prince Edward Island, a far cry from her home of privilege and wealth in Montreal. Her mother had become sick and died when Sarah was only a small child, and since then she had been cared for by her dad Blair Stanley, with the help of a very protective governess.
When some business criminal charges are brought against Mr. Stanley, he makes arrangements for young Sarah to go live, temporarily, with aunts, uncles, and cousins in Avonlea. Of course, if convicted and imprisoned, it could be longer than temporary.
Naturally young Sarah travels to Avonlea with her governess, who expected to stay with Sarah. "Show me to my room, please, and bring those bags." But the governess was met with a rather rude welcome, no place for her and she was made to leave. Young Sarah had to fend for herself for the first time. But being smart, capable and resilient, young Sarah does just fine. She does more than just fine and becomes a fixture in Avonlea, creating her own lore.
This is a very fine TV series, with good stories and good acting. Of course young Sarah Polley, who has grown into a very fine adult actress, easily carries the series with her fine acting.
The first episode on the disk recounts how Sarah ended up in Avonlea, a rural town on Prince Edward Island, a far cry from her home of privilege and wealth in Montreal. Her mother had become sick and died when Sarah was only a small child, and since then she had been cared for by her dad Blair Stanley, with the help of a very protective governess.
When some business criminal charges are brought against Mr. Stanley, he makes arrangements for young Sarah to go live, temporarily, with aunts, uncles, and cousins in Avonlea. Of course, if convicted and imprisoned, it could be longer than temporary.
Naturally young Sarah travels to Avonlea with her governess, who expected to stay with Sarah. "Show me to my room, please, and bring those bags." But the governess was met with a rather rude welcome, no place for her and she was made to leave. Young Sarah had to fend for herself for the first time. But being smart, capable and resilient, young Sarah does just fine. She does more than just fine and becomes a fixture in Avonlea, creating her own lore.
This is a very fine TV series, with good stories and good acting. Of course young Sarah Polley, who has grown into a very fine adult actress, easily carries the series with her fine acting.