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 Cushman, Kirby Larson, Laini Taylor, Kjersten Anna Hayes,
Holly Cupala, Johanna Wright, Jamie Temarik, Jolie Stekly,
Molly Blaisell, Martha Brockenbrough, Catherine 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!

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!