Books with author Jean Little

On a wintry night, all the barn animals reminisce about what important roles their great-great-great grandparents had played at the manger when a special child was born.Pippin the pig--whose ancestors weren't there―doesn't know this most familiar of Christmas stories and keeps asking questions. "What baby?" "What child?" The other animals ignore her; after all, she's only a pig. But Pippin eventually saves the day when a woman with her young child gets lost in a snowstorm and needs help. Werner Zimmermann's warm illustrations capture the animals emotions perfectly and make this a Christmas story to treasure forever.

Dickon wasn't happy in his old home or his old school. He hopes that in his new neighborhood he will meet children who never knew his old, hyper self, who will like him for who he is now. And he hopes for a dog of his own. Dickon's mother calls him Birdie. She feeds him milk from a teddy bear mug. She worries if he's out of her sight for a moment and she knows how filthy and vicious dogs can be. Dickon is delighted to discover that the Humane Society is right on the other side of the fence behind the new house, but only by disobeying his mother will he ever get close to a real dog.

A Jean Little Classic Ben isn't sure he wants to visit Aunt Rose while his parents and older brother are away. He doesn't like admitting it, but he's afraid of a lot of things—dogs, thunderstorms, new places, new people. Aunt Rose turns out to be much nicer than Ben expected, but then she presents him with a birthday gift that terrifies him—a big Labrador retriever named Gully. How can Ben tell her he's afraid even to be in the same room with Gully? And how can he tell Hana, his new friend?

Do Not Open Until Christmas is a collection of Christmas-themed short stories from critically acclaimed children's author Jean Little. From a young boy settling in with a new family complete with new siblings (and a chipmunk and raccoon!) just in time for Christmas to a Dickensian story of Barnardo children trying to settle in to a new home after being rescued from the poverty of living on the dangerous streets of 19th century London, these stories are filled with hope and all of the warm and joyful feelings of the holiday season. Jean Little is the award-winning author of many books for young readers including From Anna, Mama's Going to Buy You Mockingbird and Willow and Twig. She has been the recipient of the Governor General's Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award for her writings. When not writing, Jean Little works with young people in schools, church and the community.