Linda Bailey Books In Order

Publication Order of Good Times Travel Agency Books

Publication Order of Stanley Books

Publication Order of Stevie Diamond Mystery Books

Publication Order of The Time Travel Guides Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Chapter Books

Writing largely children’s fiction, the Canadian author Linda Bailey is extremely well regarded thanks to her unique and imaginative take on the format of telling stories that resonate with younger readers, as she draws them in through her vivid and colorful language that is both evocative yet deceptively simple, it being highly effective in its use of brevity. With a warm sense-of-humor too, she has been able to provide a fun and unique style of wit that many young readers have come to find highly compelling to read, as it gives them a love for the art-form too, something which is conveyed through her infectious level of passion that brings her many characters to life. Going for mysteries too, she keeps her young readers attentions, allowing them to keep guessing throughout, whilst also efficiently balancing quality storytelling that’s not too complex alongside narratives that aren’t condescending or patronizing to her audience. Not talking down to them, she writes in a style that is easy to relate to, and one which gives her readers a strong desire to develop a love of reading as they grow. This is something that many writers find difficult to get just right, but Bailey manages to achieve this effortlessly with a certain amount of style and grace, allowing readers both young and old to enjoy her stories. Bringing them in to her rich and imaginative worlds, she allows them to feel as if they are really there, whilst also not leaving the parents out of the loop, as she offers something for the whole family to enjoy whilst reading. Knowing her craft right down to the last minute detail, she is able to bring the characters to life too, as they reflect the lives of the audience growing up, with the same hopes and dreams they have, providing an effectively positive message in the process.

Early and Personal Life

Growing up in Winnipeg, Linda Bailey would come to be born and raised in Canada, as she grew up with a love and passion for the written word that was unrivaled. Finding herself as an author over the years, she would go on to study at the University of British Columbia, whereby she gained herself a B.A. and an M.Ed. This was following her extensive travels which would give her a wealth of experience to draw from.

Working in a number of positions, she would also work as a teacher, travel agent and as an editor. This would all provide her with the insight she needed to take her own writing career forwards. Currently living in Vancouver she still writes to this present day.

Writing Career

Publishing her first book in 1992, she brought out the first in ongoing ‘Stevie Diamond Mystery’ series of novels. This was to be titled ‘How Come the Best Clues are Always in the Garbage?’ as it was received with much acclaim. She would also write a variety of other series, such as ‘Good Times Travel Agency’ and ‘Stanley’.

Creating picture books, novels and titles that are both fiction and non-fiction, she is a highly versatile writer. Writing alongside illustrators too, such as Bill Slavin and Genevieve Godbout, she has an extremely visual style. This has allowed her to become one of the most prolific writers currently working within her field to date, something which will continue for some time to come.

If Kids Ruled the World

This was a later book to come from Linda Bailey as an author, it being a stand-alone picture book which was created alongside the illustrator David Huyck, as it managed to effectively bring the subjects of the story to life. Brought out in 2014, it was first released on the 1st of September through the ‘Kids Can Press’ publishing label, as it would come to show a clear development for the author. Offering a unique and fun insight into the mind of a young child, it is fun and witty, allowing the reader to really see the world through the eyes of its leading protagonist.

Showing a child’s vision of what utopia would really be like for them, the story delves into a fantasy world of the mind of a child, as they imagine what it would really be like ‘if kids ruled the world’. Taking lengths to show what this would really be like in the view of the child, it sees visuals spread lovingly across to page spreads, such as ‘birthday cakes be healthy for you to eat’ and ‘learning whatever you wanted’. With such flights of fancy, such as attending ‘circus school’ and even ‘inventing school’ for themselves, it really goes into the unique and interesting world of the child. Where will their imagination take them next? Is their really any limit to it all? What would it really be like if kids ruled the world?

Seven Dead Pirates

Initially coming out in 2015, this was the first full-fledged stand-alone novel to come from Linda Bailey that wasn’t part of any other series or franchise, as it provided a self-contained story and world. Whilst it provided a story that was wrapped in the humor and wit that her many young fans had now come to appreciate her for, it manages to be inspiring and compelling in equal measure. Brought out on the 8th of September through the ‘Tundra Books’ publishing outlet, it managed to create a fun and vibrant look at the world of pirates, filled with both adventure and excitement.

Left with the old and decaying seaside mansion of his recently departed great-grandfather, the eleven year old boy Lewis Dearborn is permanently anxious and shy, something which he will overcome in due time. Discovering that the ghosts of seven dead pirates also currently occupy his mansion, he finds that they need his help in regaining an old ship of theirs from the display of a local museum. Hoping to make their way to Libertalia they aim to find this legendary pirate utopia and make a new life for themselves, as they all come together, something which will really test young Lewis as he learns of the joys of friendship, as well as finding his own voice and confidence. Will they be able to get the ship back together? Where will their journey take them and does Libertalia really exist? Can Lewis find himself and help the seven dead pirates?