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The Other Alice: The Story of Alice Liddell and Alice in Wonderland
Examines the Victorian childhood of a young girl named Alice Liddell, who was the favorite child friend of math teacher Charles Dodgson, the man who penned Alice in Wonderland. By the author of Linnea in Monet's Garden.
100 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
5 people are currently reading
1150 people want to read
About the author
Christina Björk
18 books28 followers"I was born in 1938 in Stockholm, Sweden, and I have been living there ever since. I love this city, built on some small islands between lake Mälaren and the sea. It’s a city with lots of water and trees and a lot of nature all around it.
I lived and went to school at the island Kungsholmen, just like my good friend and illustrator Lena Anderson. But our school was so big that we never met. I was the only child and got a lot of love and attention from my parents. Every night my father told me a story he had invented, often about my teddy bear, Nalle, and my toy monkey, Jakob, who flew away on my bed-carpet during the night."
Christina Björk's books have been translated into more than 20 languages.
I lived and went to school at the island Kungsholmen, just like my good friend and illustrator Lena Anderson. But our school was so big that we never met. I was the only child and got a lot of love and attention from my parents. Every night my father told me a story he had invented, often about my teddy bear, Nalle, and my toy monkey, Jakob, who flew away on my bed-carpet during the night."
Christina Björk's books have been translated into more than 20 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 2, 2021
An insightful and interesting book, that is beautifully illustrated. It follows Alice Liddell and her friendship with Charles Dodgson -- better known by his penname Lewis Carroll. It is a children book, so does not address the heated debate about whether or not Dodgson was inappropriate with children (a question that I don't think we can reasonably expect an accurate answer to since all people involved are dead). Its focus is on the story that he created to keep the children entertained, that he eventally wrote down and published. Although the real Alice is the inspiration for the fictional Alice, he actually sends a picture of a girl called Mary Hilton Badcock to John Tenniel to use as his model. Which explains how Alice became younger and blonde!
This entire book was full of interesting information not just about the two subjects, but also the time period they lived in. There's a rather sad tale about the extinction of the Dodo, a wonderful two pages explaining Alice's clothes, which is followed by explaining what more ordinary children would have worn and why. While most of the images are illustrations by Karin Eriksson, they have also incorporated photos, and examples of Alice illustrations done by various illustrators over the years. It all combines to contain so much more than I had anticipated when I looked at the cover- I had expected an lovely but simple children's book, but this covers so much and packs all 93 pages with as much as possible without feeling cluttered or overwhelming.
It might not be ideally suited to reading aloud (at least not in one go) as it is quite dense by picture book standards, but I also think I would have loved this when I was small. The art is so detailed and captivating and all the nuggets of information make for a fascinating book.
This entire book was full of interesting information not just about the two subjects, but also the time period they lived in. There's a rather sad tale about the extinction of the Dodo, a wonderful two pages explaining Alice's clothes, which is followed by explaining what more ordinary children would have worn and why. While most of the images are illustrations by Karin Eriksson, they have also incorporated photos, and examples of Alice illustrations done by various illustrators over the years. It all combines to contain so much more than I had anticipated when I looked at the cover- I had expected an lovely but simple children's book, but this covers so much and packs all 93 pages with as much as possible without feeling cluttered or overwhelming.
It might not be ideally suited to reading aloud (at least not in one go) as it is quite dense by picture book standards, but I also think I would have loved this when I was small. The art is so detailed and captivating and all the nuggets of information make for a fascinating book.
November 4, 2013
An excellent exposition of the relationship between Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and Alice Liddell (the girl for whom his books were written). This is written for children and contains fictionalized conversations between Dodgson and Alice, that allow the story of the two of them and the books to be clearly understood. I have rarely read a book that covers their lives so completely and sweetly. 4.5 stars.
March 7, 2024
3.5
a mix of fact and fiction; a biography written as a story for young readers.
learned quite a bit and enjoyed the many photographs. the pencil drawings were very nice too.
also includes a further reading list, which i appreciated very much
a mix of fact and fiction; a biography written as a story for young readers.
learned quite a bit and enjoyed the many photographs. the pencil drawings were very nice too.
also includes a further reading list, which i appreciated very much
December 21, 2018
So here's the deal: it took me 2 days to get through a 93-page, what I think is meant to be, children's book. I presume the author's intention was to create a book with fact and fiction blended together. Written primarily for children. Part story about the relationship between Alice and "Mr. Dodgson" (what the children called him); part biography. Unfortunately, the result is a muddled read.
For children, the stories are beautifully illustrated, but they feel underdeveloped and incomplete as individual short stories. For adults, there are many lesser-known tidbits to discover, but the storytelling distracts from the historical / biographical information.
I did enjoy learning more about the real Alice and playing the games sprinkled throughout the book. However, and this is mostly likely a product of my modern sensibilities and my personal experiences, I was thoroughly creeped out by Dodgson's lifelong hobby (which read more like an obsession) with photographing young children, mostly girls from the photos I saw in this book. He even took nude photos, "'The children had to think it was fun to take off their clothes,' said Mr. Dodgson; otherwise, he would not consider taking such a photograph."
Riiiight.
The author attempts to give Dodgson's hobby context by reminding the reader, "...in Victorian times, it was fashionable to have children photographed in this manner... Just think -- children could be naked in pictures, but they had to wear gloves on the beach!"
Please don't interpret my reaction as being against all grownups hanging out with kids. I understand the inclination: children are pure instinct and imagination. They haven't been sullied by the world and their zest for life (and play) is infectious. But I get a distinctly different vibe reading about Charles Dodgson's "child-friends" than the one I get whilst reading about Fred Rogers and his work with children. So my intention is not to pass judgment on Dodgson's behavior. Merely to convey my gut reaction to hearing about a 27-year-old single man actively seeking out children with whom he could hang out and take their pictures, naked ones if the kids (and parents) were down with it.
Further, throughout the book, Mrs. Liddell is reported as allowing Dodgson in her children's lives one moment and then refusing to let him even come to their property the next. I kept asking myself, why was she so fickle with her approval? Perhaps her gut was gnawing at her too?
An odd reading experience to say the least. 3 stars for the historical / biographical parts.
For children, the stories are beautifully illustrated, but they feel underdeveloped and incomplete as individual short stories. For adults, there are many lesser-known tidbits to discover, but the storytelling distracts from the historical / biographical information.
I did enjoy learning more about the real Alice and playing the games sprinkled throughout the book. However, and this is mostly likely a product of my modern sensibilities and my personal experiences, I was thoroughly creeped out by Dodgson's lifelong hobby (which read more like an obsession) with photographing young children, mostly girls from the photos I saw in this book. He even took nude photos, "'The children had to think it was fun to take off their clothes,' said Mr. Dodgson; otherwise, he would not consider taking such a photograph."
Riiiight.
The author attempts to give Dodgson's hobby context by reminding the reader, "...in Victorian times, it was fashionable to have children photographed in this manner... Just think -- children could be naked in pictures, but they had to wear gloves on the beach!"
Please don't interpret my reaction as being against all grownups hanging out with kids. I understand the inclination: children are pure instinct and imagination. They haven't been sullied by the world and their zest for life (and play) is infectious. But I get a distinctly different vibe reading about Charles Dodgson's "child-friends" than the one I get whilst reading about Fred Rogers and his work with children. So my intention is not to pass judgment on Dodgson's behavior. Merely to convey my gut reaction to hearing about a 27-year-old single man actively seeking out children with whom he could hang out and take their pictures, naked ones if the kids (and parents) were down with it.
Further, throughout the book, Mrs. Liddell is reported as allowing Dodgson in her children's lives one moment and then refusing to let him even come to their property the next. I kept asking myself, why was she so fickle with her approval? Perhaps her gut was gnawing at her too?
An odd reading experience to say the least. 3 stars for the historical / biographical parts.
October 23, 2008
Bjork wrote this as a mixture of fact and fiction, which could be confusing at times. However, by the time I was done reading the book, I felt I really knew both Lewis Carroll (Mr. Dodgson) and Alice Liddell and her sisters. The fictional chapters contained dialogue that sounded as if it were written by Lewis Carroll himself. It certainly made me want to read more about Charles Lutwidge Dodgson!
May 3, 2007
This was a delightful book. The author/illustrator team tell the reader (intended for children) exactly what their intent was and came through with flying colors.
December 2, 2021
It's always good to read the true stories behind the Classic works of Literature of our time.
February 14, 2016
This is a book which is for early teens or so about Alice, Charles Dodgson, and Alice in Wonderland. As I have found so many times, this book, supposedly for younger viewers, is actually a very excellent book and definitely worth reading by anyone.
The thing that grabbed me at first is the incredible quality of the drawings, and the number of photos in the book, some of which I have not seen elsewhere. Many of the drawings are amazingly well done. In addition to this, of course, there is the information found in the book which is presented in an easy-to-read manner yet is quite comprehensive.
Do not overlook this book for your collection.
The thing that grabbed me at first is the incredible quality of the drawings, and the number of photos in the book, some of which I have not seen elsewhere. Many of the drawings are amazingly well done. In addition to this, of course, there is the information found in the book which is presented in an easy-to-read manner yet is quite comprehensive.
Do not overlook this book for your collection.
August 1, 2013
Remarkably witty and full of delightful facts that show how the story came to life. A true mechanic of time travel through literary and whimsical fancy. the recounting of a genius and the life of those we have never met, made in to our own memories.
January 17, 2013
Such a good book written for children but fun for Wonderlanders too! Beautiful illustrations!
February 26, 2018
Learned a few things I didn't already know and refreshed my mind on others.
September 7, 2025
A nice, artful, creative book about Alice Liddell, who inspired Lewis Caroll to create the Alice who had adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. This book provides some insights in the author’s and his young muse’s lives and times, is easy to read and well written. It tries to celebrate the intense friendship Dodgson (Caroll’s real name) had with several children, most importantly Alice and her sisters.
However, one can but wonder how healthy a grown man’s infatuation with a nine year old child was. It’s not hard to read a bit more into the pictures than simply playing and having fun. And there are some twists in the tale where pages are missing from his diaries. The book tries to downplay the fact that he made a picture of Alice’s sister without clothes on. It says that Alice Liddell selling her personal copy of Alice in Wonderland is a “mystery”. And some recent discoveries also paint the author in a difficult light.
Still, it’s highly unlikely that he acted inappropriately upon his feelings, being a totally repressed Victorian of his time. And there is absolutely no shred of proof that he did. So let’s declare him innocent until proven guilty. A man that loved, valued and understood children like no other and wrote some amazing books.
However, one can but wonder how healthy a grown man’s infatuation with a nine year old child was. It’s not hard to read a bit more into the pictures than simply playing and having fun. And there are some twists in the tale where pages are missing from his diaries. The book tries to downplay the fact that he made a picture of Alice’s sister without clothes on. It says that Alice Liddell selling her personal copy of Alice in Wonderland is a “mystery”. And some recent discoveries also paint the author in a difficult light.
Still, it’s highly unlikely that he acted inappropriately upon his feelings, being a totally repressed Victorian of his time. And there is absolutely no shred of proof that he did. So let’s declare him innocent until proven guilty. A man that loved, valued and understood children like no other and wrote some amazing books.
March 31, 2025
I’ve always been fascinated by the real-life Alice behind Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, so The Other Alice was an absolute must-read for me. This book delves into the life of Alice Pleasance Liddell, the girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s iconic heroine, and explores how her world shaped the Wonderland we know and love.
It’s a beautifully written and insightful look at the connection between Alice and Carroll, blending biography with literary history. The book paints a vivid picture of Victorian society, Alice Hargreaves’ later life, and how she lived in the shadow of the story she inspired. While some parts are speculative, it will still be a fascinating read for anyone curious about the girl who once asked for a story on a golden afternoon.
It’s a beautifully written and insightful look at the connection between Alice and Carroll, blending biography with literary history. The book paints a vivid picture of Victorian society, Alice Hargreaves’ later life, and how she lived in the shadow of the story she inspired. While some parts are speculative, it will still be a fascinating read for anyone curious about the girl who once asked for a story on a golden afternoon.
April 21, 2024
Took me WAY too long to read because it was my bed-book and I’ve had so much to do I’ve barely picked it up BUT, it was very informative and I enjoyed myself. Don’t know if I loved the format but I think it’s targeted toward a younger audience so that’s probably why. Gotta find out more about what happened between Dodgson and the Lidells 😬
August 21, 2024
Beautiful book that takes a look at the lives of Alice Liddell and Charles Dodgson. I appreciated the “what we know happened” “what probably happened” and “what could have happened” telling of their story. Gorgeous illustrations and altogether a lovely book that will be passed on to my daughter ♥️
June 28, 2021
Very cool history of the "real" Alice! It has lots of great historical photos, and illustrations from the original edition of Alice in Wonderland.
June 6, 2022
The book was nice, a bit too heavy for me.
February 13, 2024
I love learning more about Alice in Wonderland :)
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June 21, 2012With all the books out there about the life of Carroll and ALice Liddell, this one is great for children. Even thought it's a children book, though, it's filled with lots of interesting facts and history- along with games and puzzles that you can play, written all those years ago by Carroll himself.
August 23, 2019
I am obsessed with Alice so maybe my review is biased. But it was very interesting to learn some details about the real alice. How she lived, what she wore, mothers expectations, public outings, and the family's friendship with C.L. Dodgeson. Oh and alice apparently fell in love with the prince of wales.
June 3, 2009
Learned so much. Now I have to read The Annotated Alice and get the other view of Lewis Carroll. This book shows him as a fun guy to hang out with. But I've heard he maybe shouldn't have been around children.
April 11, 2011
An interesting and relatively quick read. With all the Alice and Wonderland stuff that's been coming out in the past year or so, this is an interesting background story on the inspiration behind the Alice stories.
April 2, 2015
Although the story was kind of scattered the illustrations were beautiful and I very much liked the examples of the games Lewis Carroll made up for his young friends. The sample photographs and whimsical letters were a treat for this Lewis Carroll fan too.
June 8, 2007
the illustrations in this are really nice.
July 3, 2011
Interesting but a little off putting.
April 2, 2009
Although written for kids, this mini-bio gives lots of great trivia and photos of Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell
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August 6, 2012it is a nice story and very adventure story !! ;;)
March 5, 2017
I liked this well enough, though it had an edge of creepy. Not sure why. Could also have been better executed, but the content mostly satisfied me.
June 10, 2013
Very enjoyable for Alice fans, a great deal of true information woven among the stories as well as a lot of photographs and drawings of interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews