Welcome to the web site for Books by Steve Little!

Tunnels, Nitro and Convicts

The beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina have inspired and energized Steve Little since his teen years in the 1960s, providing the amazing history of railroad construction told in Tunnels, Nitro and Convicts. 
This true story that started in 1875 is a vital part of the history not only of McDowell County, NC but for the entire state of North Carolina.  The Civil War ended 10 years earlier and the golden spike  completing the trans-continental railroad was hammered 6 years earlier ... but the long-planned major trunk-line railroad through North Carolina to link the western mountains with the Atlantic coast was still not built!  Read Tunnels, Nitro and Convicts to find out why, what was done about it, and who did it!

The Home Tree

When his older daughter was just a toddler, Steve made up a sweet bed-time story about some animals and a big, beautiful tree that served as their family home.  Both daughters loved the story!  Fifteen years later, Steve wrote it down and it is now published as The Home Tree, featuring magnificent artwork by Rhett Golsan, a school art teacher in Texas. 
The Home Tree could be in a rural patch of woods anywhere, but for Steve it is close to the Marion - Ridgecrest area of western North Carolina.  The story acknowledges the strength and security we all get from family and community.  The book's theme draws from and reinforces the basic values and needs of home and connections to family ... especially when we face tough times and challenges.  Young children will love the surface story and the bright illustrations, while parents will appreciate the underlying ideas that promote the fundamental values of family and community.
One day some of the animals decided to move away from the big, strong tree that had been home to their families for many generations.  When something totally unexpected and beyond their control happened later, the animals sought safety and security.  What happened?  Where did they find comfort and safety?  Read The Home Tree and find out!

You can order these books on the Order page.