Jean Little, CM (January 2, 1932 – April 6, 2020) was a Canadian writer of over 50 books. Her work mainly consisted of children's literature, but she also wrote two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little was partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and was frequently accompanied by a guide dog.
Life and career
Little was born in Formosa, the daughter of Flora (Gauld), a doctor, and John Llewellyn Little, a physician. Her parents were Canadian doctors serving as medical missionaries and was later adapted into a 1988 television film by Sandy Wilson.
Little taught Children's Literature at the University of Guelph, where she was an adjunct professor in the Department of English. She had six honorary degrees, was a Member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Jean Little Public School, in Guelph, Ont. is named in her honour.
As of 2016, Little resided in Guelph, Ontario with her sister Pat deVries, her great-niece Jeanie, and her great-nephew Ben. She continued to write through the aid of a voice-activated computer
Themes
Several of Little's books, such as Mine for Keeps and From Anna, focus on children who have a disability or are affected by a person with a disability.