Where would we be without: J. R. R. Tolkien

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Current and prospective fans of Middle-earth will enjoy learning about young JRR and how he grew up to be a well-known author. It is a lovely story about the gift of writing and the belief in ordinary heroes.

Young John Ronald Reuel moved to England when he was three. He lived out his life there with losses (his father, his mother, friends from school who died in war) and the wonders of his mind. Tolkien, in over 900 pages, created an indelible world which has been his gift to readers for generations.

Read this book and watch how the young Ronald, who created imaginary languages, grew up to be the author. It is an impressive journey told here with evocative illustrations. Note that there are a timeline and additional resources at the end of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 Apr 2022