Pollyanna People Book Version Starring One's Principle Glad

Pollyanna is a popular and well-known children's book, but it has a wider influence among people who have not read the book. Most Americans are familiar with the story through the movie "adaptations" (portrayals of a book in a film). The best known "Pollyanna" movies are a 1960 Disney version starring Hayley Mills and a 1920 version starring Mary Pickford.

Sometimes you might hear people talking about the "Pollyanna Principle." This is the idea that there is always something to be "glad" (happy) about, no matter how bad a situation may seem to be. For example, in the book, Pollyanna talks about when she was very poor and excited to receive free Christmas gifts, but the only gift left was a pair of "crutches" (tall metal sticks put under one's armpits to help one walk without putting weight on one's leg). At first she was "disappointed" (upset that something had not happened), but then she applied the Pollyanna Principle and decided to be glad that she didn't have to use the crutches. Some people try to apply the Pollyanna Principle in their own lives, trying to become more "optimistic" (believing that good things will happen) and "positive" (thinking good, happy thoughts).

Between 1915 and 1967, there was a "board game" (a game played while seated at a table, with a large unfolded piece of cardboard with images and pieces that are moved on top of it) called The Glad Game, which was based on the Pollyanna story, but the game is no longer sold in stores.