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Jane Austen

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Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
By Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Balzer and Bray, 2018. Picture book biography.

If you have noticed more Jane Austen popping up than you are used to, it's likely because this year marks the 200th anniversary of her death. For many readers, Jane Austen is an author who hardly needs introduction - her stories are now so famous. But for young readers in search of a good introduction, here are two good picture books to fit the bill. ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY JANE AUSTEN is a beautiful, gentle and matter-of-fact introduction to a famous author that focuses on the key appeal of her books - they are about ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. Readers may not yet appreciate this nuance, but it will provide a great foundation when they grow up to read Jane Austen novels.



Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
By Lisa Pliscou
Illustrated by Jen Corace
Christy Ottaviano Books, 2018. Picture book biography.

In comparison, this picture book biography (though it has its similarities) focuses more on the quiet courage of Jane Austen to pursue the career and life she wanted in the 1700s. It illustrates how uncommon it was for women to write books, especially about women who were complex, interesting, and not always well-behaved. Pliscou follows Jane through her life to illustrate how her own life events prepared and shaped her to compose her beloved stories.

These two picture books stand as great introductions on their own, or as companion pieces to introduce little readers to Jane Austen mania.



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