Auspicious beginnings: Tales from the childhoods of Twain, Rowling, Poe, Dahl and more

Brooklyn biographer David Stabler has penned a collection of inspiring “true tales” drawn from 16 renowned writers’ childhoods that just might inspire budding authors to put pen to paper, too.

Each chapter of “Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Famous Writers” (Quirk Books) is devoted to a single scribe — from the recently famed Jeff Kinney (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”) to Mark Twain (“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”).

“Kid Authors” is sure to be a a riveting read for ages 8 to 12 — and anyone that loves children’s literature.

The color illustrations by Doogie Horner add humor to the entertaining book. And even if a “Kid Authors” reader doesn’t feel compelled to pen the next “Anne of Green Gables” — like featured novelist Lucy Maud Montgomery — she will certainly be spurred to seek out the books written by these former kids.

“Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Famous Writers” book by David Stabler, $13.95, www.amazon.com.