Little was partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and was frequently accompanied by a guide dog.

Her novel Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird won the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award in 1985,[3] and was later adapted into a 1988 television film by Sandy Wilson.

She had six honorary degrees, was a Member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

[1] As many of her books were written several decades ago, they now serve as examples of how children with disabilities were previously raised and treated by society.

While the novels often touch on very sad events, ranging from serious illness, abuse and death, the endings are usually positive and show the resilience of children.