Illustrated by Vesper Stamper. The artwork alone makes this book desirable, with exuberant characters, truth to the Hampshire of Austen's childhood, and use of period color schemes. This biography takes readers through stages of Austen's development as a writer, emphasizing her experimentation, persistence, and perseverance. There are not many words on each page - a paragraph at most. Yet Stirling does not shrink from using lush vocabulary. The result is a book you can read to your very young children, and also a book that will grow with them and likely will be cherished and kept when they are adults. There are resources, a one-page detailed bio of Austen, and letters from the author and artist in the back. Bloomsbury Children's Books. 2021. Hb, Dj. NEW. $15.00