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The best children’s books of 2021

A Most Clever Girl

The ultimate tale of girl power, Jasmine A. Stirling’s A Most Clever Girl is a must for every children’s bookshelf. Beautiful illustrations by Vesper Stemper accompany this inspiring story about how Jane Austen used her love of words to define her life, becoming one of the most celebrated authors of all time. Ages: 5-9

glass of wine, glass of milk
book review: A most clever girl

april 8, 2021

I was thrilled to participate in this blog tour because I am an Austen fan. I hated Pride and Prejudice in high school – didn't even finish it. Then I got into Molly Harper's Half Moon Hollow series years later, where the vampire former librarian is all about Austen. I decided to give her another go and saw that my dumping of her work had been a clear, "It's not you, it's me," situation. As a more mature reader with a wider literary appetite, I devoured all of her books...back to back, staying up till the wee hours and lounging in bed in the mornings until I had finished her major works in the course of a few days. (I was a teacher on summer vacation, so I had the time.) The prospect of introducing T to Austen's work early on holds high appeal, so I jumped at A Most Clever Girl.

It is all that! Readers follow along Austen's writing journey, from her unusual education (namely, having one at all), her disdain for fluff stories, her creation of humorous tales for her family, her years of writer's block, and her eventual publication of several novels. Between the pictures and the text, young readers are invited into a very real world where an ordinary person encounters trials and joys and decides to pursue an interest – Jane Austen is relatable. As an Austen fan, I was delighted to learn more about her life and introduce her to T. As a parent I'm pleased to share a real-life example of someone who successfully followed a passion, encountering stumbling blocks before succeeding. Stirling's tone is straightforward, never condescending and her prose magical. Readers are whisked away to 1800's England and enchanted by Stamper's art. Whether you like Austen or not, I recommend checking this out – A Most Clever Girl is a lovely book in its own right.

A very neat aspect of the narrative is the quotations from Austen's own works. Within the text they are italicized; back matter identifies the sources. Further information about Austen's life is provided as well.

reading is my superpower
book review: A most clever girl

april 6, 2021

“Jane loved stories–long ones, short ones, worn and new.”

C.S. Lewis, in his essay On Three Ways of Writing for Children, said,  “I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children’s story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children’s story. The good ones last.” A Most Clever Girl by Jasmine A. Stirling is a good children’s story! Children will love it for the beautiful & whimsical illustrations by Vesper Stamper and for the witty & relatable way in which Stirling’s prose brings Jane Austen to life. Adults will love it for the same reasons, as well as the clever touches that Stirling adds – such as peppering the text with direct phrases from Austen’s novels – and the tender glimpse we are given into a beloved author.

The focus of A Most Clever Girl is, as the subtitle suggests, on how Jane Austen discovered the writing voice that made her such a popular author in her time and continues to endear her to readers today. She always loved words – reading them and writing them – and while her witty take on popular ‘fluff’ literature of the day and her insightful observations into the people around her provided much fodder for her writing, there was -as Stirling points out – something missing. By following Austen’s journey from a young reader & writer to the more mature (but still young) author who finally discovers what was missing from her voice, we are given a fresh and tender take on Austen’s life. In that discovery is, for all of us, a gentle reminder that more often that not our deepest growth takes place in the shadows of our darkest times. And while we certainly don’t enjoy those painful moments we live through, the wisdom and compassion we gain during them are irreplaceable.

Bottom Line: A Most Clever Girl by Jasmine A. Stirling is a book that will delight and inspire young and not-as-young readers alike. Austen’s life is presented with smile-inducing illustrations that accompany the sweet text, both of which paint a beautiful picture of a beloved author with more to be seen beneath the surface (the author & the book) as further reflection allows. Highly recommended for little dreamers, kiddos going through tough situations, young aspiring authors, and any adult who loves Jane Austen (whether they know it yet or not).

The Fairview Review
book review: A most clever girl

april 4, 2021

Young readers interested in famous writers will enjoy this picture book biography of Jane Austen. Her personality comes to life as we learn that she didn't care for "pale stories with delicate ladies," "gloomy stories with orphans on doorsteps," or "sticky-sweet stories where people fell in love at first sight. (EWW!)" The image of her sprawled out on the rug laughing at such "fluff" is sure to have everyone joining in with their own "EWW!" The details as she grows up and observes the world around her not only work their way into Jane's writing, but appear in the illustrations. Vivid colors for dinner parties and drab grays for life in a rough dock town support the text and help set the mood for the experiences of Jane's life. Back matter includes a listing of all the Austen quotes worked into the narrative, more information about her life, and a list of resources for young readers (among other bonuses). This is perfect for a unit on famous writers and where they found their inspirations. And, of course, it is a great book for anyone who would enjoy a story about a girl looking for "a style that was uniquely hers."

absolutely austen
book review: A most clever girl

april 2, 2021

This was a charming book. As soon as I opened it I nearly gasped at the illustrations. It is just lovely. The story itself is well done, though definitely not for children under 4. I tried reading it to my almost three year old and he only made it halfway through. There were several facts about Jane's life that I was unaware of, but most of it I'd heard before which is to say that the history is accurate. I loved the use of quotes from Jane's books and letters and the reference at the back of the book explaining where those quotes came from.

The overarching moral of the story is that Jane did not find her voice until she went through hardships, which infused her words with wisdom. Kids and adults alike will learn how difficult times in life shape us to become the person we are meant to be. Jane Austen's life and writing is filled with valuable lessons and this book does a great job showing that. I give it 5 out of 5 stars for a children's book for sure. 

growing readers podcast
Interview with Author Jasmine a. stirling

March 30, 2021

some the wiser
book review: A most clever girl

March 31, 2021

We read a lot of books at our house, which means we always have a lot of books at our house. Picture bookshelves in every room of the house, plus stacks of books on nearly every flat surface. So, when I find my kids requesting and reading the same book over and over, I know we’ve found something special.

A Most Clever Girl is really something special!

This isn’t the first picture book biography about Jane Austen, but it’s certainly my favorite, if not the very best of the bunch. It begins with Austen’s early life in the Steventon Rectory where she made her first attempts at satire and family theatrics. It’s so fun to read about her wit and rebellious streak! 

But at its heart, this is a book about overcoming adversity and the joy of creativity. Stirling skillfully takes the reader through Austen’s difficult years grieving the loss of her father, her childhood home, and her financial struggles. But, as Stirling emphasizes, Jane’s period of loss and grief gave her the wisdom and depth she needed to achieve great heights. The book ends as she finds her voice and achieves literary success.

Book Review
This is a picture book for Jane Austen fans of ALL ages and a perfect introduction to the literary giant for children. 

Stirling does a phenomenal job of telling Jane Austen’s story with heart and skill. She expertly weaves Austen’s own words in throughout the story and brings her to life on every page. Likewise, Stamper’s illustrations perfectly compliment the story, making it resonate through every beautiful pastel-colored picture, inspired by textile shades that were popular in Austen’s time period. 

And the book itself is a work of art! From cover to cover, every single page (and even the endpapers!) are absolutely gorgeous. 

As a Jane Austen fan myself, what I really appreciated about A Most Clever Girl was how both the author’s and illustrator’s love for the subject radiates throughout. All that love poured into the pages of these books is what truly makes A Most Clever Girl exceptional. 

And, perhaps most importantly, this book is an absolute joy to read. I’ve read it countless times over the past month – to myself, to my kids – and it’s a delight every single time. 

I highly recommend A Most Clever Girl for ages 4 and up. You can find it here on Amazon, but if you buy it directly from the author’s website here, she’ll send you a free Jane Austen Paper Doll Kit. 

Follow Jasmine on Instagram and Facebook @jasmine.a.stirling.author where she posts about kidlit and life with two young girls. 

Jane Austen In Vermont
book review: A most clever girl

March 30, 2021

The recent opinion essay by the New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul “You’re Not Too Old for Picture Books” (Feb. 21, 2021), presents a fine case for the importance, relevance, brilliance, and pure pleasure such books can give us. Paul admonishes us as parents to not confine ourselves to the parameters of the 4-8 age group, to not take such books away from our children too soon, nay, to not put them aside ourselves. How well we remember such books from our own childhoods (think Jessie Willcox Smith or Beatrix Potter or N. C. Wyeth), where words and pictures were made one, the art telling its own story beyond the words of the text.

In a past life as an elementary school librarian (I at the time also had small children), I found such joy in reading and re-reading these pictures books, designated for the younger grades but having the older students engage with them as well. I have never gotten over this love of these “juvenile” works and still try every year to at least purchase the newest Caldecott winner (a REAL book too, no kindle for these!) Biographical picture books have increased of late, and such works on Jane Austen can nearly fill a shelf – but each is unique, each brings a new take on Austen with new ideas, new art, new ways to engage readers of any age with her world.

A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Discovered Her Voice, written by Jasmine A. Stirling and illustrated by Vesper Stamper, is a fine addition to this burgeoning shelf, this, as the press release says “an informative, engaging depiction of the life and growth of an exceptional literary talent.” It is funny and sad and profound, taking Austen from a happy childhood reading and writing for her family’s entertainment in the house at Steventon, where “her mother wrote verse…her brothers debated the news…Jane and Cassandra sang songs upstairs…her father taught Shakespeare below.” In this one sentence, with the accompanying illustration of a very busy household, Stirling and Stamper perfectly sum up Austen’s childhood world.

We see her growing, seeking “a room of her own” to write her stories, observing the quirks and eccentricities of visiting friends and neighbors, and then the sadness and tragedy with the move to Bath and the death of her father, her life now “a quick succession of busy nothings.” Stamper leaves her colorful joyful world of Steventon behind and gives us a Bath that is dark and gray and lonely (Stamper writes that the color palette comes from the textile shades of Austen’s time), color to appear again when settling in Chawton, Jane finding words to write, creating the characters like Elizabeth and Emma and Anne and her many Heroes we have come to love – writing “hearbreak and sadness, happiness and hope” into her novels. Then she is PUBLISHED and we see an appreciative Prince Regent, patrons of circulating libraries choosing HER books, and US, still reading and loving her very original and brilliant voice.

I loved this book – the words and pictures taking us into Austen’s mind and her world – high praise to both writer and illustrator for such a beautifully told and rendered tale, as Stirling herself writes: “I wanted to tell a different kind of story – one centered on Jane’s genius” – and thereby giving hope to anyone out there who might be searching for their own voice, at any age. I found it as insightful and as complete as any of the many lengthy biographies I have read!

Included is a short nicely-written biography, a selection of the more famous Austen sayings sprinkled in the text (“indulge your imagination in every possible flight” – where does Austen say this??), a note from both Stirling and Stamper, and a listing of resources for further reading.

A final word on the endpapers, one of my favorite parts of any and every book I handle – here Stamper gives us colorful and imaginative drawings of Austen’s beloved Hampshire, Steventon on the front endpaper, Chawton Cottage (now Jane Austen House Museum) and Chawton House on the rear endpapers, places that inspired Jane Austen to become the genius she indeed was, and places we visit (alas, only a pump at Steventon!) to get closer to her mind and art. Perfectly lovely – and quite “clever” itself!

JR’s book reviews
book review: A most clever girl

March 28, 2021

Rating: 5 out of 5

A children’s picture book about the iconic author Jane Austen and how she discovered her voice to tell all those fantastic stories became English classics. I enjoyed learning about her childhood, her quest to become herself, and seeing all the tremendous quotes peppered throughout the book. If you have a young child who enjoys learning about classics or just wants to endure the love for Jane Austen, this is the perfect book to add to your library. The illustrations capture Jane, and the scenery is breathtaking. I would love to see this book in person as it is meant to be held and treasured. The book focuses on the vital role her supportive family played in shaping her voice and how your life can inspire anyone. The book is geared to children ages 4-12 but will be a delight for anyone who wants to learn more about Jane Austen.

confessions of a book addict
why jane austen is the perfect pandemic read
and book review: A most clever girl

March 26, 2021

Why Jane Austen is the perfect pandemic read
(for you or your kids)
by Jasmine A. Stirling

“Ah! there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”

Jane Austen
Emma

From Bridgerton to Sanditon, Regency romances and Jane Austen are experiencing a distinctive cultural moment—one could possibly even call it a craze. As people adjust to the slower pace of pandemic life, Austen book clubs, online groups, and cheeky Austen memes have exploded. Dating during Covid-19 looks a lot more like dating during the Regency era, and for the first time in recent memory, people find they have time to talk, read, and walk. Lizzie and Emma's worlds have, in many ways, come to resemble our own. There’s even a trendy new moniker for the phenomenon—Regencycore.

Regencycore has made its way into the books we read (Jane Austen, over and over again, please), the shows we binge watch (bring on the period dramas), the clothes we buy (feather headbands, elbow-length gloves, and corsets, says Vogue), and even the accomplishments we pursue. Eighteenth-century crafts like needlework and embroidery are experiencing a renaissance (Hobbycraft reported a staggering 545% increase in recent sales of cross stitch kits), reportedly because of the sense of calm they bring in a world in which one’s agency and activities are severely restricted. Sound familiar?

Read more >

icefairy’s treasure chest
book review: a Most clever girl

March 24, 2021

A Most Clever Girl is an informative and insightful biography that follows Jane Austen's life as she grew from a fledgling writer into a famous one, well distinguished by her unique writing style and portrait of strong women. The book started with Jane's love for stories and her attempts to satirize the then mainstream novels by writing her own, which turned out to be quite entertaining for her big family. Blessed with an open-minded and supportive father, Jane, unlike most women in her time, not only had access to good education, but was also encouraged to write creatively.

Her carefree days came to an end however, when a series of unfortunate events occurred to her family, including the loss of her father. During the years when Jane had to struggle with financial hardships and emotional turmoil, she quit writing. Thankfully, Jane was able to reclaim her passion for writing after moving back to her hometown. More importantly, she finally found what had been missing from her early work - her own voice, which proved to the key to her success as the most beloved female writer of all times.

Written in refined language, the story cleverly blends in witty quotations from Jane Austen's work, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. It feels as if Jane were still alive, recounting her own life story and providing insight into how her fictional characters were created. The story explores how Jane's life events, both happy and sad ones, had exerted a significant impact on her writing career. It shows that an artist's success takes so much more than talent. Time, space, experience, perseverance, courage, and challenges, could all play a part.

The book also excels in its beautiful, elegant illustrations that realistically reflect the lifestyle of Jane Austen's time, from attire to architecture. With a hand-drawn feel, the pictures are filled with details that help bring the characters to life while making it easier for the reader to get immersed in a story that took place centuries ago. I'd highly recommend this inspiring book as a primer for anyone interested in learning more about Jane Austen.

jane austen’s world
book review: a Most clever girl

March 22, 2021

In light of Women’s History Month, I’m pleased to share my review of a beautiful new book by Jasmine A. Stirling that is sure to delight the hearts of Jane Austen fans of all ages entitled A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Found Her Voice.

This exquisitely illustrated, full-color book traces Austen’s writing journey from her younger years at Steventon, to her “quiet” years in Bath after her father died, and finally to her years of astonishing creativity at Chawton. This is a book you’ll want to read for yourself, give as a gift, and display on your coffee table.

The writing by Jasmine A. Stirling and the illustrations by Vesper Stamper truly make this book a feast for the eyes and the heart. As a lifelong Austen fan, I found myself swept up in Stirling’s writing style. Her exploration of Austen’s talent, her heart, and her genius brought me new-found joy. This book vividly captures Austen’s experiences as a writer and shows us why her writing still endures today.

Jasmine and I connected on social media several months ago, and I was intrigued by her book because it (focuses on) what I and many others have noticed about Austen’s writing career: that she found her perfect time and place to write when she came to Chawton. (You can read my article on this topic here: New Beginnings at Chawton Cottage.)

Jasmine’s book explores the early foundations of Austen’s literary upbringing, the depth of character that Austen’s life experiences produced, and the intriguing set of circumstances that allowed Austen to discover her unique writer’s voice at Chawton.

I highly recommend A Most Clever Girl to any Austen fan of any age. I especially like the idea that I can give this book as a gift to my friends and family members who have younger children so that their children can be exposed to Jane Austen at an early age and be inspired to follow her example as a person and as a creative.

Please continue reading below for the book details, purchase links, and details for a lovely giveaway contest which includes a Jane Austen-themed picnic basket and a hardcover copy of A Most Clever Girl autographed by Jasmine A. Stirling!

a dream within a dream
book review: a Most clever girl

March 20, 2021

“I learned so much about Jane from this book. There were a lot of life details that I had known nothing about. I found myself fully engaged in this story meant for young children - and I'm an adult. I loved that the story was so real.”

Happily ever after elephants
#1 pick for feminist children’s books!

March 18, 2021

“If there is one thing kids adore, it’s reading about other mischievous children who grow up to walk to the beat of their own drum despite people trying to get them to follow the same old path everyone else has taken.”

any new books
Staff pick!
March 17, 2021

a mighty girl
Book review: A Most clever Girl
March 16, 2021

Witty and mischievous Jane Austen grew up in a house overflowing with words. As a young girl, she delighted in making her family laugh with tales that poked fun at the popular novels of her time, stories that featured fragile ladies and ridiculous plots. Before long, Jane was writing her own stories — uproariously funny ones, using all the details of her life in a country village as inspiration.

In times of joy, Jane's words burst from her pen. But after facing sorrow and loss, she wondered if she'd ever write again. Jane realized her writing would not be truly her own until she found her unique voice. She didn't know it then, but that voice would go on to capture readers' hearts and minds for generations to come. For fans of I Dissent and She Persisted — and Jane Austen fans of all ages — a picture book biography about the beloved and enduring writer and how she found her unique voice.