The Little Books of the Little Brontës

In The Little Books of the Little Brontës, award-winning writer Sara O’Leary looks at the formative years of English literary legends.

Inviting the reader to step back in time (“Many years before you were born”), the conversational second-person text warmly introduces Charlotte, Anne, Branwell, and Emily. These creative, clever children love to write and dream. Although they live in a small village on the moors, their imaginations take them many places.

This introductory portrait is pleasing, pared down to the authentic essentials, with glimpses into their daily activities, like inventing characters while peeling potatoes for dinner, running outside on the moors, and making up poems. They read voraciously and love books so much they decide to write miniature ones for their toys. The familial scenes are imbued with a lovely, genuine warmth. The family’s struggles, including financial hardships and the death of their mother and two older sisters are alluded to: “There has been sadness in the house for a long time.”

Full of atmosphere and charm, Briony May Smith’s captivating mixed-media illustrations lovingly convey how the children rely on each other and encourage each other’s grand schemes and dreams. A stunning double-page spread shows the nightgown-clad siblings acting out a play in their bedroom at night, with shadows of dragons, knights and castles cast on the wall.

Whether or not children have ever heard of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, the Brontës’ creativity, imagination and fortitude will resonate with children. In additional to being an artful portrait of authors as young children, The Little Books of the Little Brontës is also a book about making books. Back matter includes instructions on how to make your own little book, an author’s note, a timeline, and source notes.
Focusing on the power of stories and imagination, The Little Books of the Little Brontës, an inspiring picture book biography, introduces young readers to the childhoods and careers of legendary 19th-century British authors.