The Stories Behind the Stories: The Remarkable True Tales Behind Your Favorite Children’s Books

In accessible prose, this tome explores the background of nearly 30 well-known children’s stories and series written by mostly white authors from 1697 to 2007, including Winnie-the-Pooh; Nancy Drew mysteries; The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series; and more. In an engaging style, Higley surveys the authors’ backgrounds and writing histories: “But practice makes perfect, and only a few years later, Warner wrote another book... The Box-Car Children.” Sidebars throughout offer the author, publication date, and a “Did You Know?” feature for each title, while full-color collages by Miles combine quotes and public domain visuals for an imagination-stoking complement. Front matter features an author’s note. Ages 7–11. (Nov.)