Amazon.ca Little by Little is an extraordinary autobiography by one of Canada's most beloved writers. Jean Little painstakingly provides readers with an insightful--and equally delightful--look into her past, appraising her childhood in Guelph, Ontario, and taking readers up to the publication of her first novel for children, Mine for Keeps, in 1962. While first and foremost the story of a writer's life, Little by Little also powerfully and poignantly explores the author's struggle as a blind child in a sighted world. She openly shares with readers the devastating cruelties of the classroom and playground and her overwhelming need to find a way to belong. It's also the story of a warm and loving family (her portrait of her parents is especially memorable) as well as the great teachers and loyal friends who little by little helped Jean discover her inner strengths and find the courage to follow her dreams of becoming a writer. In her exploration of being blind, Little is never maudlin or self-pitying; instead she focuses on how her not being a sighted person helped make her a writer. It's Little's honesty and gentle good humour that most touch readers as she plots the path that led her to writing books for children. A sequel, Stars Come Out Within, follows her career as a writer, teacher, and role model. (Ages 10 and older) --Jeffrey Canton From Publishers Weekly This memoir by the prize-winning Canadian children's author invites comparison with Beverly Cleary's recent A Girl from Yamhill. But, even though both authors started writing at early ages and both loved to read, partly to shield themselves from pain, they led profoundly different lives. Born nearly blind in 1932 (among other visual impairments, her eyes were crossed), Little was ostracized by classmates and longed for a close friend. Fortunately, her parentsmedical doctorswere attentive and well-informed about her condition but careful not to be too protective. In high school, Little began "sorting out when and whether belonging really mattered," a theme that has nearly universal appeal. This is one of the better children's books about becoming a writer, but it is also a poised account of growing up with a disability, and no line separates the two. Little makes a gift of herself to readersfunny, spirited and whole. Ages 10-14. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal Gr 5 Up Jean Little is an accomplished Canadian writer of fiction for young people. She is also severely visually handicapped, legally blind. In this autobiography that focuses on her life from childhood through college, Little shares with readers the accumulated humiliations and strengths compounded throughout these tender times as she struggled to live as a blind child in a sighted world. With a relentless memory for the cruel and sad anecdotes recalling every ridiculing playground and classroom putdown, she engages readers' sensibilities as well. Although Little attributes much of her strength and determination to her parents, readers may sometimes be left wondering if their ``tough it out on your own, Jean'' attitude didn't often make them right for the wrong reason. A book whose focus is on the durability and inspiration to be found in a solid family commitment and the individual's spirit of hard work and determination. Catherine vanSonnenberg, LaJolla Country Day School, Calif.
The Jean Little Collection
