'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 5 June 2018

Review: Jane Austen (Little People, Big Dreams)

The Little People, Big Dreams series takes us back to the childhoods of some of the world's most famous women: 'Little girls with big dreams who became women with vision'.

One of the the latest titles in the series is Jane Austen. As an adult, Jane wrote about 'young women who were brave enough to make their own choices and never gave up', making her a great subject for this series.

In Jane Austen we are told how she grew up as the seventh of eight children, and lived in a time when girls did not get to do all the same things as boys. Jane wasn't particularly happy about that.

Jane's father was a teacher, and although he taught young boys whose parents were wealthy, and it wasn't usual for girls to be educated in the same way, he did invite Jane and her sister to join them.

Her childhood and later life proved to be important influences on her and inspiration for her writing. Jane published her first book anonymously, and yet today she is known internationally.

Jane Austen is written in narrative style, providing little insights into Jane's life, and followed by a short biography with photos.

By exploring the childhood of Jane Austen and other women of note, author Isabel Sanchez Vegara has said she wants to break down their complicated lives so they can be understood by young children, and empower the children to achieve their own dreams. It's a worthy aim, and the result is a success.

Once you've read Jane Austen, try other books in the Little People, Big Dreams series, too. There are at least 13 to choose from. They share inspirational life stories and are well worth adding to your home library.

Title: Jane Austen (Little People, Big Dreams)
Author: Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrator: Katie Wilson
Publisher: Quarto Group, $19.99
Publication Date: May 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781786031198
For ages: 5+
Type: Narrative non-fiction