This was a total delight! The illustrations are charming and engaging and I couldn’t wait to turn the page and see who we would meet next. Such a clever way to introduce amazing writers to a younger audience.

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK!!!!

This was a delightful book to read, one that will be read over and over again, and to be shared with children. A brilliant and creative way of introducing littlies to the wonderful world of writers, stories and classics, but still making it a sweet and simple story of an adorable bear trying to find inspiration.

Filled with playful literary puns, rhymes and cute illustration of critters, this was enjoyable on every page. Bookworms of all ages who love classic literature will enjoy this and especially enjoy reading this to their cherubs to pass the love of book to. I cannot wait to add this to my literary collection!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Cute pictures and fun story. I liked the puns of the authors names, great way to introduce little ones to some big time writers. Would make a nice starting school gift.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Cute book about some critters who are trying to write a new story. Each of their names is similar to those of Potter, Austen, and Shakespeare.

Full of enchanting drawings and literary puns, this picture book is a clever read for young readers and the literature-loving adults in their lives.

Corrigan turns famous literary figures into animals that William Shakesbear encounters as he travels around the countryside, trying to find inspiration for his next play. Depending on the age level and engagement of young readers, caregivers and teachers may use this book as an opening to discuss these famous authors and their books, and some young readers may recognize some authors' counterparts, such as Mole Dahl, Beatrix Trotter, C.S. Shrewis, and Loris Carroll. Others, like Yak Kerouac and Edgar Talon Crow, probably fall outside the known literary canon for young readers, but the adults in their lives will enjoy the puns.

My five-year-old deemed this one, "So much fun!"

Thank you to Zonderkidz and NetGalley for an advance copy. All opinions are my own (and my child's).

A very cute literacy tale! I love all the play on words with the names of the creatures. I'm not sure children would understand most of the references, but adults who love literature, including librarians, will delight in this book!

This is was a cute book filled with references to many famous authors. It seems to be geared toward children ages 7 and up but they would not understand most of the literary references. A cute story nonetheless.

This is an adorable book with beautiful illustrations about different animals and critters in literature. I really like how they interact with each other.

“What the Dickens, even Charles chickens is here!”

Literacy Critters is a wonderfully playful book packed to the brim with un-bear-ably sweet and funny puns inspired by classic literature icons. It was so fun to read along as we meet all the animal authors and hear their writing advice.

The accompanying illustrations were beautiful and littered with fun bookish references! My problem with this book, however, is who exactly it would be aimed at. I can’t imagine that the text would be particularly engaging to a younger audience who wouldn’t understand the puns being made, it’s almost as though it’s a kid’s book that has kept the parent/adult reader too much in mind.

It would probably be wonderful in a library or English classroom as an introduction to these literary figures where there are further resources to explore the topic.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was super cute.The book with its many “hints” and “tie-ins” will keep adults entertained while the story and characters are sure to keep children wanting more as well. Each character that William Shakesbear runs into gives you enough tibits into the actual author they are portraying to be fun yet informative. For older readers these tidbits may entice them to look beyond this book to find out more about their favorite critters actual author. For younger readers the story itself will encourage them to not only think creatively, but to know it’s ok when you get stuck or get writer's block to ask for help. It also shows them the many styles of writing there are from poems, short stories, mysteries, plays, writing from real life or making up your own reality. I was surprised just how much I liked this book and how many of the references I caught while reading. I couldn't wait to flip the page to see what iconic author would be featured next. This book is a must for a school classroom, library or your own home library.

The pictures that went with the book were simple, colorful and well done.

Overall, I love to read more by this author and see more from Wiliam Shakesbear.

A picture book treasure of literary forces! A brilliant introduction to writing inspiration that packs opportunity for parents and teachers to highlight classical authors, poets and playwrights and how reading begets inspiration for the writing process. I loved it.

Literary Critters
By Sophie Corrigan
Zonderkidz
Rated: 4
Back of the Book: “Literary Critters is a truly unique picture book, introducing young readers to classic literary figures and encouraging them to use their imaginations. This playful story promotes literacy and storytelling as quirky playwright William Shakesbear sets off on a journey to visit some of his Literary Critter friends to see if they have any writing ideas to share—including friends like Mole Dahl, Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, C.S. Shrewis, Langston Mews, and more.
As Will visits his fellow Literary Critter Guild members, he’s greeted with lots of advice from his author friends and has some adventures along the way. He also invites young readers to become part of the Literary Critters Guild and continue growing in their love for all things reading, writing, and books.
Literary Critters include:
A playful introduction to iconic authors. A personalized page in the book that invites the reader to become a member of the Literary Critters GuildWhimsical art and characters created by Sophie Corrigan. Content for children ages 4-8, perfect for instilling a love of reading and literature
If your child loves Literary Critters, check out these other titles by Sophie Corrigan:
Pugtato Finds a ThingPugtato Babysits the SnoutsAnd board book—Pugtato Let’s Be Best Spuddies
Impressions: This was a clever and creative introduction to the different writers who have inspired so many people. I think that the idea of this book could have been taken further by introducing the authors and giving a short bio on who they are and some books they’ve written, including their genres. The “characters” quote these authors as well and I think it would have been insightful to give reference to the quotes as well as where to find them. The illustrations were charming and fun bringing this cute book to completion.

This book is adorable! The illustrations are charming and all of the many literary tie-ins will keep adults entertained as they read to their children. I do like how it ends sort of open-ended where we don't exactly know what his play is about. I think this will help spur children's imagination.

*I read to my service dog as a brain activity for him


We loved this book, the concept was great, if I paused to long he was touching me to keep reading. He gives it 5 stars and would add to our family’s children shelf’s for sure

Great introductory material for many famous writers, with a cute little tale.

The book focuses on William Shakesbear, who is trying to create his next play. He goes to each of his friends who gives him many ideas. Each of his friends is an animal counterpart of famous writers like Mole Dahl, Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, C.S. Shrewis, Langston Mews, and so many more. They each help show the importance of storytelling and reading. While being so whimsical and inventive.

I loved how they were giving him ideas that eventually became their own works. For instance, C.S. Shrewis talked about mythological creatures, kings and queens, and Turkish delight, which all are parts of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. This was such a clever little book that I had a lot of fun with. I will definitely be picking up a copy of this for my own children's book collection.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free ARC of the book. All opinions are my own*

Poor William Shakesbear is in a bit of a bind - that darn writer's block is making it difficult for him to come up with a topic for his next book (or play). He decides to visit all his fellow animal authors to see if they can share some great ideas. They provide writing advice, as only the individual authors can.

It was cute enough, and I think kids would enjoy looking at the pictures and naming the different animals, but I'm not sure the text would keep them engaged.

My personal favorite was C.S. Shrewis.

A darling little picture book that introduces audiences to literary icons through pun-ish, quirk parody names and matching animal forms (their animal names rhyme with their human one). The book encourages creativity and broadening one's mind in terms of writing that can also be applied to reading genres, and that you can find ideas anywhere (dreams, other books, nature, etc), you simply need what works for you as everyone is different.

The artwork is so gosh dang cute, too!

This was cute and had funny puns, and beautiful illustrations. It would be a great read for children who are starting to get into longer picture books, but don’t quite have the attention span for chapter books yet.

Literary Critters: William Shakesbear's Journey for Inspiration by Sophie Corrigan is a funny story that the adults reading it to children will thoroughly enjoy. I am not sure that children will catch the nods to great writers as playwright William Shakesbear goes on his search for inspiration but they will enjoy the thoughts on what using imagination and creativity.

I read this with my first grade granddaughter. Many of the authors were not ones that she could relate too so she did not give it anything above three stars. As for me I loved it, knew everyone and enjoyed William Shakesbear’s journey. I gave it five stars. Rounding it out we agreed on 4 stars. Perhaps this is for an older child than her. The text is not all that simple but it is a quick reading book, meaning it could be easily read in one setting.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Not quite what I was expecting. A strange book that didn't seem to flow in any kind of.logical way. I couldn't quite work out what age bracket this was aimed at or who I would share it with, if anyone. Altogether a bit of a disappointment.