Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Book Belles

Jessie Wilcox Smith














Where would we be without Beatrix Potter?
Or J.K. Rowling?
Or Jane Austen?

In honor of Women's History Month,
I am celebrating Women of Word and Page.

from The Secret Garden, illustrated by Tasha Tudor













Which women in literature have helped shape your writing, your art or your life?


from Snow White, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman


I have such a heavy scroll of Literary Women heroes 
that it thuds to the ground and unravels across the room.


from The Princess and The Goblin, illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith














Here's glowy love to
Jessie Wilcox Smith, Trina Schart Hyman, Tasha Tudor,
Beatrix Potter and Lisbeth Zwerger
for their illustrating genius.  

And sparkly love to
E. Nesbit, Joan Aiken, Francis Hodgson Burnett,
Lousia May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery,
Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Jane Austen,
for words that move us.

Thumbeline, illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger













More Women of Word and Page I cheer for:
Sarah Stewart, Cornelia Funke, Barbara Helen Berger,
Audrey Wood, Diane Dillon, Janet Lee Carey,
Karen CushmanKirby Larson, Laini Taylor, Kjersten Anna Hayes,
Holly CupalaJohanna WrightJamie Temarik, Jolie Stekly,
Molly Blaisell, Martha BrockenbroughCatherine Rayner,
Jan Morrison, and Stasia Ward Kehoe.


Are you a writer, or an author or illustrator? 
Let us celebrate you, too!
Add yourself in the comments,
include a link to your website or blog
so we can indulge in more sparkly love.
Hurray for Women in History!

Miss Moppet and Mouse
The Tale of Miss Moppet by Beatrix Potter

And do you know what?

 Jessie Wilcox Smith















Whether your glossy books line library shelves or not, 
you are making history. 
Every day.


You are a story. 
Each day, each moment you live 
is filling up the bucket 
that becomes your history. 
You can take that beautiful story 
and write about it.  

If you are a writer, you're already there.
If you have yet to try, 
start with a journal, or a notebook, 
or the computer, or whatever feels comfortable. 
Scribble down memories of bright and dark patches in your life. 

And celebrate your story!





10 comments:

Jan Morrison said...

I like your list and I ADORE your sentiments. All the fabulous women - I like everyone you mentioned and then some - I shant start for it is late and I'm heading to bed but I'll be back in the morning to add my two or three cents. Meanwhile I'll rest in the love...

Anonymous said...

I did not know all the women you mentioned but want to! Lucy Maud Montgomery made me want to become a writer just like her character Anne. I even wanted to be a teacher too. Beautiful pictures and post!

Stacy Post said...

Faith, I'm all for celebrating women. In fact, I'd like to celebrate for you and your fabulous blog! You've won my contest...congratulations!

brian said...

I appreciate the work of Kate Dicamillo, Virginia Lee Burton, Beverly Cleary, Betty Macdonald, and Lois Lowry, just to add to your great list, Faith.

Faith Pray said...

Brian, I always wanted to live in an upside down house like Mrs. Pigglewiggle. Great additions. I have yet to read Kate Dicamillo's work, but will put it to the top of thie list.

Stacy, thank you! You just made my day!

Lynn, thanks for visiting! Anne's world is so vivid and Anne herself is such a wonderfully flawed character. I love those books!

Faith Pray said...

Jan, thank you for reveling with us! I'm going to get a big stack of books by the lovely ladies and start reading!

Anonymous said...

What a nice way of saying things--'I have such a heavy scroll of Literary Women heroes that it thuds to the ground and unravels across the room.' I might steal that!

Faith Pray said...

Thanks, worddreams. Steal away!

Unknown said...

Lovely blog and great post! I'll add myself to your list:

Literary Mom

:)

Faith Pray said...

Thank you Elle! I'm so glad to have you aboard!

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