“A book, too, can be a star, ‘explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,’ a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.” (from Madeleine L’Engle’s 1963 Newbery Award acceptance speech, “The Expanding Universe,” quoting Bertha Mahony Miller)

This beautiful picture book is written by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter and the author of the beloved BabyLit board books, and it tells the story of Madeleine’s creative childhood, difficult school years, and artistic adulthood that led to the writing of A Wrinkle in Time. I eagerly preordered it to add to my Madeleine book collection, and my favorite aspect was the gorgeous illustration style of Adelina Lirius. I’ve seen many photographs of Madeleine over the years, and the pictures capture her tall frame and mystical way of taking in the world. Every page, including the endpapers, could be framed as lovely wall art. Madeleine has been a wise and wonderful voice in my reading ear for my entire life, and she helped me think deeply and ask big questions. This book really captures that spirit.

For the middle grade set, the biography Becoming Madeleine by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Lena Roy is lovely and includes photos and journal entries from Madeleine’s youth. If you are interested in a picture book written by Madeleine, I love The Other Dog. It’s so charming and funny. For a memoir that bookends the story in this picture book, check out A Circle of Quiet, where Madeleine grapples with being an artist and a mother amid feelings of inadequacy and failure. As ever, my philosophy is that there is a Madeleine book for everyone, and I’m so glad that this picture book biography is out in the world for younger readers to get to know her.