I don’t know about you, but I need these “guiding lights” to whisper in my ear and urge me on, as I face struggles or difficulties: “Come on, Gail, look at Jean. Her book “ His Banner Over Me” tells the story of her mother, Flora Little, who was herself a TCK from Taiwan – another incredible story of hardship, loss, and courage. She has written novels, picture books, poetry, short stories, and two autobiographical books. Since then, Jean has published over 50 books.

Her first book, published in 1962, won the Canadian Children’s Book Award. Jean decided to write such a book – her first book was titled “ Mine For Keeps” about a child with cerebral palsy. Most of the children that Jean worked with would never experience a miracle cure and would struggle the rest of their lives.

In most of her favorite childhood books that she would read to her class, any child with a disability was somehow “cured” and went on to live a normal life, such as Colin in the Secret Garden or Clara in Heidi by Johanna Spyri. In her early twenties, as she was teaching in a school for physically disabled children, she realized that there were virtually no books about children with disabilities. She somehow, managed to pull herself out of her deep state of shock and grief, and finish on time, to earn her BA in English language and literature. During this time, her father – who believed in her, encouraged her and constantly urged her to pursue her dream of becoming a writer – passed away. Jean, at the age of seven, had to deal not only with moving back to Canada from Taiwan and all the adjustments that come with that, but overcoming physical disabilities, loneliness and bullying in school.Īfter graduating from high school, and although she was legally blind, she went on to attend the University of Toronto. Well, I see someone who has had to deal with more than her fair share of struggles as a child and yet, has used her gifts and abilities to impact children as a teacher, a speaker and a writer. If you asked me today, what author I would love to sit down with over a cup of tea or coffee, I would say, enthusiastically, “Jean Little!”

Jean Little – Part 3 of the series on Third Culture Kids authorsĪfter reading about Jean Little’s childhood and early adulthood, in her autobiography, Little by Little, as well as reading a selection of her children’s books, I have become very fond of Jean.

From Anna by Jean Little