Reading the classics of juvenile literature educated her imagination and fortified her against schoolyard bullies who taunted her for being clumsy and cross-eyed. To make out the words, she was obliged to hold a book so close to her face that she had to wash the printer’s ink off her nose before she could go out. But first she became an avid reader from an early age.

An elementary school bears her name in Guelph, Ont., where she lived.īorn with scarred corneas that made seeing a constant struggle, the author overcame seemingly insuperable challenges to make her living as a writer. Her books brought her an Order of Canada, four honorary degrees and every major Canadian literary prize for juvenile literature. Young disabled characters figured in many of her stories, which were translated into French, German, Danish, Dutch, Japanese, Greek, Welsh and Norwegian. Out of the evergreen memories of her childhood, Jean Little constructed a body of literary work – some 60 books – that entertained, touched and comforted children with disabilities and those without. She never forgot what it was like to be a child: uncertain, powerless, dreamy, vulnerable. Jean Little Public School in the city's south end is named in her honour.Please log in to bookmark this story. She won numerous writing awards throughout her life and was a Member of the Order of Canada. While best known for her children's books, her works included novels, picture books, short stories, poetry and two autobiographical works.

One of four children, she spent much of her life living with her sister. Little taught children with disabilities and began her writing, which often featured children facing challenges.īorn with scarred corneas, she was blind and had the help of a guide dog for many years.

She attended Victory Public School, Guelph CVI high and then graduated from the University of Toronto. They returned to Canada in 1939 and settled in Guelph in 1940. Little was born in 1932 in Taiwan where her doctor parents were missionaries. From Anna sold over 130,000 copies worldwide. Perhaps her best-known work is From Anna, a book published in 1972 about an immigrant girl who comes to Canada just prior to the start of World War II. She is best remembered for the many children's books she wrote over the years, beginning in 1962 with Mine For Keeps, the story of a nine-year-old girl named Sally who had cerebral palsy. Little passed away in the early hours of Monday morning at Hospice Wellington. Internationally renowned Guelph author Jean Little, who wrote over 50 books during her career including several revered children's books, has died.

Jean little from anna