Little Women and Little Men
Little Women Series
What’s inside...
Little Women and Little Men are two classic novels by Louisa May Alcott that follow the lives of the March sisters and their friends. 'Little Women' details the coming-of-age stories of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the challenges of growing up, finding their places in the world, and dealing with personal and family struggles during and after the American Civil War. The novel explores themes of love, duty, and the pursuit of individual dreams. 'Little Men,' the sequel to 'Little Women,' continues the story by focusing on Jo March and her husband Professor Bhaer as they run a boarding school for boys called Plumfield. The novel introduces new characters, the students of the school, and depicts their adventures, lessons, and growth, emphasizing the importance of education, kindness, and moral values. Beautifully illustrated with atmospheric paintings by renowned artists, Louisa May Alcott's three best loved classics are a delightful series of hugely successful novels that follow the lives of Meg, Amy, Jo, and Beth from childhood through to adulthood. Little Women (1868), Little Men (1871), and Jo's Boys (1886) are just as accessible and enjoyable for today's readers as they would have been when first published well over a century ago. These novels are some of the great works of American literature and continue to be widely read and studied throughout the world. This meticulous edition from Heritage Illustrated Publishing is a faithful reproduction of the original texts.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-18
Length
680 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Josephine "Jo" March
Amy March
Elizabeth 'Beth' March
Margaret 'Meg' March
Dan
Nat Blake
Theodore 'Laurie' Laurence
John 'Demi' Brooke Jr
John Brooke
Daisy Brooke
Margaret 'Marmee' March
Professor Bhaer
Aunt March
Discussion points
What qualities do you admire most in each of the March sisters and why?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What lessons do the characters learn about family and friendship?
How would you have handled the challenges faced by Jo and her sisters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to the story. Ask them if they've faced similar situations as the characters and how they handled them.
Discuss the historical context of the book. Explain how the time period influenced the characters' decisions and lifestyle.
Highlight the moral lessons in the book. Guide your child to understand themes like resilience, compassion, and family bonds.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the book. This can help develop their creative thinking and understanding of narrative structure.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Bonds
Explanation: Throughout 'Little Women' and 'Little Men', Louisa May Alcott emphasizes the strength and support family members give each other during trials and joys, highlighting the March family's unity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and rely on their family members, understanding that home should be a supportive and loving space.
Example Lesson: Value of Altruism and Selflessness
Explanation: Several characters in these books, especially the March sisters, perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. For example, Jo takes care of her old aunt and Beth looks after a poor family.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to help others. This can manifest in sharing with siblings, helping friends with schoolwork, or participating in community service.
Example Lesson: Growth Through Adversity
Explanation: Characters face personal and financial hurdles, yet these challenges contribute to their personal growth and maturity, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own challenges with courage and view difficulties as opportunities to grow stronger and wiser.
Example Lesson: Importance of Hard Work and Perseverance
Explanation: Alcott portrays characters like Jo pursuing her passion for writing despite obstacles, emphasizing that hard work leads to success.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to diligently pursue their goals, be it in academics, sports, or hobbies, affirming that persistence is key to achievement.