The whole town is Playing the game, and tile whole town is wonderfully happier — all because of one little girl who taught tile people a new game, and how to play it.

When Pollyanna's father dies, she is sent clear across the country to a small town in Vermont where she will live with her strict Aunt Polly. But Pollyanna doesn't seem to notice how stern and unfeeling her aunt really is. Pollyanna simply plays her "glad" game — finding a silver lining in every cloud. Eventually Pollyanna brightens the lives of everyone in town, even the most reclusive citizens, as she takes in every stray cat, dog, and orphan. But then a terrible accident happens and Pollyanna doesn't think she can feel glad about anything anymore. All of her new friends from town turn out to support her, but will that be enough to restore Pollyanna's cheerful outlook on life?