Emma Watson hid free copies of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women by iconic memorials around London on Sunday.
In a series of clips and images posted to her Instagram account, the actress, 29, kicked off The Book Fairies’ global initiative to stash away 2,000 editions of the famous book in celebration of the film adaptation, set for release on Boxing Day.
The Harry Potter star, 29, placed the publications – along with a handwritten note – by statues such as the Agatha Christie landmark in St Martin’s Cross and Camden’s Amy Winehouse monument while enjoying a tour of the English capital.
What a novel idea: Emma Watson hid free copies of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women by iconic memorials around London for a global mission with The Book Fairies on Sunday
Emma plays Meg March in the forthcoming movie adaptation of the popular coming of age tome, which is due for release on Boxing Day (December 26).
The actress started her mission in Gordon Square as she hid a series of books by the Noor Inayat Khan statue, where she was greeted by a furry squirrel in the park.
Beaming with delight, she enthused: ‘Hi friend, I don’t have anything for you. Making friends where we go!’
Noor (1914 – 1944) was a Britain’s first Muslim war heroine and was recognised for her work in the Special Operations Executive during WWII.
Emma’s next stop was to the Agatha Christie statue near Covent Garden, where she neatly positioned three books at the bottom of the landmark.
Different: In a series of images posted to Instagram, the actress, 29, kicked off the book group’s initiative to stash away 2,000 editions of the book in celebration of the film adaptation
Honour: The Harry Potter star started her mission in Gordon Square as she hid a series of books by the Noor Inayat Khan statue
Commemorate: The statue was created by Karen Newman and was unveiled in November 2012 to honour Britain’s first Muslim war heroine
Nice to meet you! Beaming with delight, she said to a friendly squirrel in the park: ‘Hi friend, I don’t have anything for you. Making friends where we go!’
‘London Squirrel Love’: The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress couldn’t contain her happiness as she made an exit from the park after meeting the furry animal
Famed for her iconic books Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Dame Agatha (1890 – 1976) is the best-selling novelist of all time, and is said to have sold approximately two billion copies of her work.
The screen star later visited the Monument to the Women of World War II in Westminster, sculpted by John W. Mills and unveiled in 2005.
The Amy Winehouse statue in Stables Market was Emma’s fourth stop, where she placed two copies between the musician’s arms and legs.
Legendary singer Amy (1983-2011) was recognised for her signature deep vocals and quickly became one of the UK’s best-selling artists in chart history. She passed away from alcohol poisoning in July 2011.
Working hard: Emma’s next stop was to the Agatha Christie statue near Covent Garden, where she neatly positioned three books at the bottom of the landmark
Icon: Presented by Donald Insall Associates in November 2012, the statue honours Dame Agatha (1890 – 1976), who is said to have sold approximately two billion copies of her books
Remembering her nursing work during the Crimean War, the Circle star laid two Little Women books by Lambeth’s Mary Seacole (1805-1881) landmark.
Making a powerful statement, Emma also hid the copies by the Suggragette Memorial in Christchurch Gardens, which was opened in July 1970 to commemorate those who fought for women’s right to vote.
The media personality later posted stunning shots of her trip around London, with the caption: ‘I’m excited to reveal a global effort with @bookfairiesworldwide to hide 2,000 copies of Little Women!
‘#LWBookFairies starts today and features over a hundred different editions of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel to celebrate the release of #LittleWomenMovie, every one of which has a special note from me inside.
Neat display: The screen star later visited the Monument to the Women of World War II in Westminster
Legendary: The massive monument was sculpted by John W. Mills and unveiled in July 2005
Keen: The Amy Winehouse statue – created in September 2014 by Scott Eaton – in Stables Market was her fourth stop, where she placed copies between the musician’s arms and legs
One of the greatest: Legendary singer Amy (1983-2011) was recognised for her signature deep vocals and quickly became one of the UK’s best-selling artists in chart history
’38 countries are involved in the campaign, and it’s going to be the largest book fairy event ever – follow the hashtag to see where they are being hidden over the next few days! Do you believe in book fairies? #ibelieveinbookfairies.’
The Book Fairies’ latest mission is currently being led by 150 volunteers in 38 countries.
Emma is no stranger to placing books in public locations, as she secretly left copies of her favourite novel in London back in November 2016.
What a woman: Remembering her work during the Crimean War, she laid two books by Lambeth’s Mary Seacole (1805-1881) landmark, designed by Martin Jennings and unveiled in June 2016
The thespian – who founded feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, three years ago – filmed herself hiding copies of the late Maya Angelou’s Mom & Me & Mom along the escalator support beams at St John’s Wood station, shortly before she was also spotted carrying out the task at Oxford Circus.
Based on an iconic 19th century novel by Louisa May Alcott, Emma’s latest film Little Women is the sophomore directorial effort from actress-turned-director Greta Gerwig.
In the film, Saoirse Ronan plays Jo March who is the second-oldest of four siblings and by far the most outspoken.
Based on the 1868 novel, Jo joins her three sisters Meg (played by Emma), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) as they navigate through life after the US Civil War.
In the zone: Making a statement, Emma also hid the copies by the Suggragette Memorial in Christchurch Gardens, which was opened in July 1970 and crafted by Edwin Russell
‘Do you believe in book fairies?’ The Book Fairies’ latest mission is currently being led by 150 volunteers in 38 countries
Throwback: Emma is no stranger to placing books in public locations, as she secretly left copies of Maya Angelou’s Mom & Me & Mom, in London back in November 2016 (pictured)
While the goal for each sister is to marry a rich man, Jo is determined to make her own way in the world as a writer, and the film documents her journey to success in a world where women struggle to be heard.
The film also stars Timothée Chalamet as Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence, who takes a shine to Jo despite her insistence that she will never get married.
It is the eighth time the Louisa May Alcott novel has been adapted for the big screen, with the last version coming out just last year.
Greta earned critical acclaim for her last picture Ladybird, and Saoirse’s performance has already earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama.
Little Women will be released in the US on 25th December, and in the UK on 26th December 2019.
Upcoming: Little Women is the sophomore directorial effort from actress-turned-director Greta Gerwig (Emma pictured with Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan in the film)