Smout and the Lighthouse: A Story of Robert Louis Stevenson

by Jane Yolen, Lyndsay Roberts Rayne (Illustrator), John Patrick Pazdziora

Discover the unexpected beginnings of author Robert Louis Stevenson in this story about following your dreams.

Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's letters and life, this book imagines the author as a child with dreams of becoming a writer. As he and his father visit one of the many lighthouses along the Scottish coast that were built by their family, young Louis begins composing a story in his head—one with storms, shipwrecks, and pirates—that will one day be published as Treasure Island.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2023

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Louis Stevenson, nicknamed Smout, is supposed to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and become a lighthouse engineer. But Smout’s imagination burns brightly and stories light up his every moment. And rather than extinguishing Smout’s dreams to write stories about pirates and lighthouses, his father asks him to at least learn about lighthouses - the family business.

[Catie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that Robert Louis Stevenson's family were known for designing and building lighthouses? I sure didn't! This story seems inspired by his early life, but is a cute take on what he may have been like as a child, seeing stories everywhere.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. It is a lovely story, including biographical information at the end.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of the ife of Robert Louis Stevenson beside the sea. Lighthouses built by his grandfather, father, and great grandfather are visited in their walks. Father is office engineer for the lighthouses in Scotland. But Robert wants to write stories of men and sailing and what happens if one is lost at sea.
But his father wants him to know the significance of a lighthouse protecting ships from the rocks on the shoreline. And together they walk from lighthouse to lighthouse that was built to inspect and insure that it protects protect the sailors and ships from the rocks on the shoreline.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.