A sweet story with some great historical information on the Bronte sisters. I loved the illustrations. So idyllic.

I first discovered Charlotte Bronte when my high school English class read Jane Eyre, and I was instantly smitten. Over the course of my college years I would read more work by the Brontes, but Jane Eyre would remain a favorite. Professors would often speak of their tragic lives, so when I discovered Sara O’Leary’s children’s book about the Bronte children I was intrigued.

O’Leary introduces the reader to the four surviving children of the Bronte family: Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell. (Their older sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, passed shortly after their mother.) We are told of the sadness in the children’s lives, but their loss is not the focus of the book: their love of stories and one another is. O’Leary crafts a beautiful story of the four children who spent their childhood reading, writing stories for one another, and playing out those fantastic tales.

The Little Book of the Little Brontes is a beautiful, heartwarming, lovely book, and I absolutely adored it. I love how O’Leary wrote about the four siblings, their love for stories, and one another. O’Leary goes above and beyond adding a “How to Make your Own Little Book” section, a timeline of the siblings, an author’s note with more historical information, and a thorough bibliography. This is a stunning book with wonderful illustrations, and I felt all the better for having read it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity. I look forward to pursuing more of O’Leary’s work in the future.

I would have loved this book as a child. Beautifully illustrated, and a sweet, short story introducing the Brontës to young readers. This would also be well appreciated by adults and anyone familiar with the Brontës or looking for a little more background into their lives and childhoods.

I am embarrassed to admit that yes, I have heard of the Brontes and their literature and that’s about it. I’ve read nothing by them and know next to nothing about them. I can’t use the excuse of living in the states and not the UK as a valid reason either. Their literature is quite well known over here as well.

In this beautifully illustrated children’s book we meet the 4 children, and the father makes a very brief appearance bringing gifts to the children returning home after traveling.

This is a nonfiction book and though it is informative I will now be doing more of an Indepth research into the children, their lives and their family.

I see the children had two elder sisters and their mother who passed all within a close time due to tuberculosis.

It sounds like the children didn’t have many friends outside of themselves and their family. Making up stories and creating their own very small child sized books was a way they entertained themselves. They loved reading and would read anything they could get their hands on including literature and their mother’s bible.

The four surviving children all died young, such tragedy! Their father outlived them all.

The book is atmospheric, you can just imagine them sitting at a table making these little books with wallpaper scraps for the cover.

The Little Book of the Little Bronte’s will propel those interested in English literature and learning more about these literary greats to do your own research. I will definitely be doing this.

Children have not only the opportunity to learn the basics about this family history, but it includes instruction on making your own book. Who knows this may interest some to continue on to becoming a published author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Little Books of the Little Brontes is a sweet, charming story and a perfect book the little person in your life.


Goodness, this book is fantastic. I loved reading the classic novels that the Bronte sisters have written. They are just so powerful and unforgettable. I adored this idea of exposing young readers to these incredible literary figures. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I was interested to see how Sarah would tell the story of the Bronte sisters to young readers. First, the pictures are spectacular. They are so engaging and lush, and I couldn’t help but spend time exploring all the wonderful details that they had. Their tone gives off a historical vibe and helps transport readers to the time when the Bronte siblings were children.

The story itself is fabulous. The writing is smart but simple enough that young readers will be able to comprehend what they are reading. Sarah has done a marvellous job at bringing the story of the Bronte children to life. There is this great balance of historical facts and whimsical storytelling.

Overall, The Little Books of the Little Brontes is a fabulous and thoughtful picture book that is a must for anyone who loves the literary works of the Bronte sisters.

Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

** “The books they write are tiny but the worlds inside them are huge.” **

Author Sara O’Leary and illustrator Briony May Smith join forces to bring us a delightful story about the Bronte siblings as young children, and the creations they made even at young ages.

One day Charlotte Bronte creates a tiny book, small as a child’s hand and filled with tiny pictures and a story, for her sister Anne. This develops into a great sense of creativity and invention for them and their other siblings, Branwell and Emily, leading them to also become authors as adults.

“The Little Books of the Little Brontes” reveals what the Brontes’ daily lives are like and reveals their love of reading, making up poems and inventing characters. Filled with gorgeous illustrations, it also celebrates the gift of a story and will delight children of all ages.

The book’s end contains instructions on how to make your own tiny book as well as a brief biography of the Brontes.

“The Little Books of the Little Brontes” will certainly become a family favorite and is due out Oct. 17.

Five stars out of five.

Tundra Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

A charming story with charming pictures that centers on the Brontes’ love of books and storytelling from childhood to adulthood. Of interest to the parents/adults reading, there is also a timeline of significant Bronte family events, an author’s note, and a bibliography.

Oh this was just precious!! I love the Brontë sisters and I thought this story was just the cutest to depict their little lives as children. The illustrations were TOP NOTCH! What cutie pies! This is a story I would love to have sitting on my bookshelf. I know my two little girls would love flipping through the pages of this.
It was short and simple. It was rough in the 1800's but they had their imaginations and their stories! And that's what made them who they are today...sitting in peoples homes and libraries across the world!
The drawings told the story in this book as much as the words and I really appreciated that.
Also! Loved the very end where the author tells the reader to write a little story...go get paper, I'll wait. As a wannabe published author all my life, my little 10 year old heart would burst at reading this and the excitement I would get to write along.
Heck! My 30-something year old heart burst at the idea and inspiring my 8 year old to sit and write. The mind is a wonderful thing! :)

I happen to believe that picture books are great for readers of all ages. Even though my kids are teens and tweens, I believe they would enjoy this little look into the early lives of the Bronte children, just like I did. The illustrations are beautiful, with lots of small details sprinkled in.

Having read Bronte Books, visited Haworth and watched the films you think there is no more to read, but I urge parents and schools to promote this book.

This book is a lovely picture book inspired by a true story of the Brontes childhood and their love of poems and stories which led Anne and Charlotte to be writers. Such sort lives they led but what wonderful stories they wrote.

This book is apt for adults also and if you have never read any Bronte books it gives youthe intrigue to read on

Ideal stocking filler this Christmas

Thank you Netgalley for introducing me to this book.

This is such a lovely book! I am a big Jane Eyre fan so It was lovely to get to read this. The quaint village life and the relationship between the siblings, and i love the illustrations. The muted colors work so well for the story.

"The inspiring true tale of young siblings who loved to make stories - and grew up to be among English literature's finest writers. A picture book for fans of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein.

Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family - Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne - lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories, and their own tiny books...a passion that would last them a lifetime.

A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author's note, timeline of the Brontës' lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book."

Angria! Though I will point out that the timeline of their lives is a bit bleak to first time readers.

My heart! This was such a beautiful picture book about the Bronte siblings. I love that, despite their tragically short lives, Sara O'Leary does a wonderful job at highlighting the beautiful parts of their lives and their impact. The colors in the book were muted and lovely. The illustrations were sweet and fit the narrative. All in all, maybe not one many children will love, but I can see future Anne of Green Gables and Little Women fans flocking towards this one.

What a beautiful book! I was so excited to see these characters get a fresh look. The artwork is lovely.

Written to introduce the youngest of readers to the world of the Brontës, this charming story will appeal to even the most dedicated Brontë enthusiast. The reader is given a glimpse into the day to day life of the 4 siblings living on the moors - playing, reading and sharing the greatest gift, stories written in the tiniest of books. Were the hours spent creating characters and acting out imaginative tales the humble origins of some of our most beloved novels? It’s interesting to ponder. The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly compliment the story that delicately touches on the sad circumstances of their childhood and short lives. Authors note and timeline of the Brontës lives are both great additions to this engaging storybook.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this digital review copy. I look forward to picking up a copy for my grandniece when it is released in October!

I was skeptical, reader. Why would kids at picture book reading age be interested in a biography about the bronte siblings? But Sara O'Leary did such a lovely job of telling a story and crafting characters and relationships, that this was 100 percent engaging and entertaining. And the illustrations by Briony May Smith are delightful. Really, really well done book. Besides actually working as a picture book for young readers, it would make an excellent introduction to the Brontes for older children as well.

A lovely children’s book about the lives of the Brontë children and their love for storytelling. This will inspire any young reader to create not only a story but a little book of their own.

This was a super cute book showing the Bronte siblings and their creativity and bonds during childhood. I love Briony May Smith's illustration style, and it suited this book perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Tundra Books for this absolutely delightful arc!

5/5 stars!!

This is an absolute delight, perfect for classic book lovers both young and old. Honestly anything Briony May Smith has done is generally an instant love for me, and her illustrations in this book are just as enchanting as Sara O'Leary's story. And as always, made me cry at the end haha!! Just lovely

This children’s book is a sweet abbreviated story about the Brontë siblings and their love for stories. I love the Brontës, and I think this is a very child friendly telling of what is often considered a lonely childhood. The illustrations are beautiful and the highlight of the story for certain !!