Little by Little: A Writer's Education (Puffin story books) [Paperback]

Jean Little (Author)

Editorial Reviews

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.

Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140323252
• ISBN-13: 978-0140323252
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little by Little, October 25, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Little by Little: A Writer's Education (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book because it was obviously a stuggle for Jean Little, but she still kept on going. She had many goals in her life and most of them was to do something in order to be normal. I think the most important parts of the story is when she gets her different pieces of writing published and actually gets money for it. She has loved books ever since she grew up. I noticed that many books that she has written has connections with her life. Most of them have a disabled person as a character. I think she writes all her books by using her life as a base, but altering many things.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars poignant and inspirational, January 27, 2002

By 

MW "mw" (MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little by Little: A Writer's Education (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

I have loved Jean Little's books about children facing special challenges for many years, but only found out recently that she has had her own disabilities to cope with. In this book, she talks about her childhood in China and then Canada, the difficulties she faced going through school with severely impaired vision, and the love and support of her family that enabled her to persevere.

With insight and humor but without self-pity, she tells of the challenges she faced at school, including bullying, as well as the relief when she was put in a sight-savers class and at last found a place where she was "normal" - like the other children in her class - and had teachers who understood her needs.

Against all odds, Little decided to go to university. The book ends as she works as a teacher and writes her first book - one inspired by the need of her disabled students to read realistic stories about children like themselves. After reading this book, I know understand how she writes so knowingly - it's because she has lived many of her stories.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little By Little, January 24, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Little by Little: A Writer's Education (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

If you like sad but happy or a lesson to learn in a book you will like Little By Little. Jean has one of the most popular books help you in life. The genre of this story is autobiography. It will change your point of veiw as a reader and as a person because you know the things she goes through really happen. I like this book because when you get into the story it's hard to get out. The story is about how Jean, little by little, succeeds in different things like reading, school and many more. For example, when she's trying to learn to read, she didn't give up. She went through stages during lerning to make new frieds,and getting through school. Jean uses very interesting words to make you feel like you're there. For instance when it's her first day at school she explains how she felt and what she felt like doing. This book taught me that it's hard to live a normal life if you have a disability.