A Little Women Christmas

by Heather Vogel Frederick, Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

It’s almost Christmas, and Jo March is determined that this year, unlike the last, there will be presents. It is in this spirit that she and her dear friend Laurie build a snow maiden for poor, sick Beth. The next day, Beth is thrilled with her present, and each of the girls, in turn, receives a little something from the others. But the best gift of all arrives when Papa, who has been away at war and ill, makes a surprise return home for Christmas dinner.

Adapted from the book by Alcott.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Holiday, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent adaptation of the section of Little Women following Beth's illness. If you know the story, you know what happens. Even so, this part of the book never fails to move me. The picture book author uses actual dialogue from the novel to pass on the lesson instead of hammering it home in her own words. I appreciated the more subtle approach and of course, any adaptation that uses original dialogue gets extra credit from me. My only quibble is that Beth is not the youngest daughter but the middle. It's an easy thing to misremember but if I was going to adapt such a beloved classic novel, I'd make sure of the details before I did it.

The illustrations are the real stand out. They look so realistic! The illustrations could almost be photographs. The clothing and hairstyles look appropriate to the time period and characters, for the most part. I do question Beth's ringlets but perhaps Meg styled Beth's hair for Christmas. Jo bears more of a resemblance to Winona Ryder than Louisa May Alcott but that's the illustrator's vision. I especially like how careworn the faces of Marmee and Father are without making them look elderly. Father looks like he's been to war and been ill, as is explained in the text. Orchard House stands in for the little brown house where the March family lives-everyone assumes Orchard House is the March family home because that's the museum. True fans know the Alcotts lived at The Wayside next door when the girls were the ages of their literary counterparts in the first part of the novel. (Minor quibble). I am excited to give my nieces a visual cue for Orchard House though so when they see the actual house, they recognize it as the March family home.

This is a must for introduction younger readers to the classic novel. I hope my nieces like it as much as I do and they read it before we to go Orchard House next week.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really hoping to like this, but when the author of the adaption gets things wrong (like saying Beth is the youngest) it kind of spoils it - even if the illustrations are wonderful.

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[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bagram Ibatoulline is by far my favorite illustrator. His images are crisp, clear and filled with wonderful sensitivity.

As the four daughters Jo, Beth, Amy and Meg gathered round the fire place with their mother. The illustrations bid us to enter and observe. When Christmas arrives, the gifts are simple and expertly chosen. The big surprise is that their father arrives home from the Civil War just in time to enjoy his family.

[Nata · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book - well written and gorgeous illustrations. I could see this becoming a Christmas favorite. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is because Vogel switched Beth to the youngest sister and she was illustrated with blonde ringlets - both traits that Amy has. It may seem a little petty and nit-picky on my part, but I'm very particular about my LW adaptations.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Although this is a children's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women', it's very well done. I was so happy to find an affordable hardcover copy online.

The illustrator has definitely visited Orchard House because the paintings are identical to the actual house. I visited Louisa May Alcott's home just a couple of months ago and it gave me a thrill seeing the full color pages of the exterior of the house and the rooms inside. It was a wonderful memory!

A Little Women Christmas has just the right old-fashioned Christmas setting and feeling. I really enjoyed reading this small portion of 'Little Women' again this season. A lovely addition to my Christmas book collection!

[Cristie of Crops and Craps and Things Long Since Past · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cast from Louisa Alcott's "Little Women" has returned in this short picture book about their attempts to make their Christmas as happy as it can be without their father present. Christmas miracles ensue.

I liked the book alright. I loved "Little Women," so it was fun to see all their familiar faces and get a chance to read about their relationships once more. The pictures looked like actual paintings and had a very smooth look to them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this short adaptation of Little Women to celebrate Louisa May Alcott’s birthday today in addition to the Christmas season. The story comes from a chapter in the original book with some modernized words. The illustrations are beautiful with exceptions. Beth looks like Amy. Both she and the girl who’s supposed to be Amy look too old. I would give this version 4 stars without the annoying appearance of the two younger sisters.

[Emily Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We did as we’ve always done—hoped and kept busy.”

Would have been better as a book with completely new characters, rather than attempting to capture Louisa May Alcott’s. Several of the descriptions and details were incorrect. Otherwise, a wonderful book with a great message: “We have [...] each other [...] That’s the very best present of all.”

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book that follows the March sisters during the holiday season and how hard it has been on them during the war. The colors of the illustrations are artistically rich. The story is a wonderful book for kids of all ages. I highly recommend it to everyone especially during the holiday season. I read this book for the 2018 TisTheSeasonAThon.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

So saccharine, imo, and preachy. Sorry. But it did not increase the likelihood I'll ever reread the original. Once in my childhood was enough. (I was deprived of books but still managed to be an avid reader... and yet I never reread this.) Second star for illustrator; I hope to find more of his work.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. Nice abbreviated story.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet adaptation and beautiful illustrations. Odd that they seem to get the ages of the sisters out of whack, though.

[R4 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible retelling with equally terrible illustrations

[Tiffany Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole book is definitely 5 stars. My kids said this edited version has no conflict so was “meh.”

[Steffi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short but sweet book with many beautiful illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adaptation from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, about how the March Women Folk spent one Christmas while Mr. March was away fighting during the Civil War.

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Short. Simple. Endearing. I would recommend that you read the Little Women novel prior to this, as the characters are the same.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3

[Amber Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. It would be a good Christmas book for a little girl. A Little Women Christmas is short and sweet. Perfect for a little girl who’s starting to read or learning to read.

[Bcs (Sarah. B) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing pictures. To me that is the best part. Though I did almost cry when their Father came home...

[Dalaina Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute short beautiful book! I loved this part of the story. The photos of the art work told the story alone I love it so much. A new treasure for my book collection.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Women is one of my favorites. This picture book has such rich illustrations, it is a lovely glimpse of Christmas with the March family.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, beautifully illustrated read-aloud for storytime with my little girl. 😊💕

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book adaptation of a Christmas chapter from Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." It is a nice introduction to the story but there are a few details changed necessarily.

[Truly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kisah LW dibuka dengan adegan keempat gadis yang membicarakan betapa menyenangkannya jika mereka bisa merayakan Natal dengan berbagai hadiah

Dalam buku ini, mereka saling berbagi hadiah. Walau hadiah terbesar adalah ketika March kembali.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Christmas Eve and although the March sisters and their mother have little money for presents, they gather to give simple gifts and be thankful for their health and their happy home. Their thoughts are with their father, away fighting in the war, and they hope for his safe return. Little do they know that the best surprise of all will be delivered before the evening ends.

Adapted from Little Women, Louisa May Alcott’s classic book, A Little Women Christmas by Heather Vogel Frederick is a book to read and treasure during the Christmas season. Bagram Ibatoulline’s beautiful illustrations glow with a warmth that reflects the tender thoughts of the family and their love towards one another.

For anyone who has read Little Women, the story is not a surprise, but by focusing on the Christmas Eve story in the novel, Frederick is able to shine a light on the message that resonates during this season: having family, friends and health is the most special gift of all.

A Little Women Christmas makes a great addition to any collection of Christmas books to read aloud during the holidays.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

For people who LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, I think this one is well worth reading and rereading. I have read the novel once or twice, certainly enjoyed it well enough, but it's never been one that I've gushed about or LOVED passionately.

This picture book focuses on one of the Christmases written about within Little Women. The 22nd chapter of Little Women. The illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline are wonderful. If you're a fan of his work, you'll probably want to seek this one out because they are BEAUTIFUL.

I do think it is a picture book for older readers. I think it's a beautiful book for fans of the book or movie.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story is perhaps best appreciated by fans of Little Women, this is a lovely Christmas book nonetheless. Ibatoulline's illustration are a fantastic match for the cozy, old-fashioned scenes, and Frederick's text manages to capture some of Alcott's style without being too wordy - this would make a lovely family read-aloud around Christmas-time.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful adaptation depicting Christmastime from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The words are lovely, and beautifully capture the spirit of the original book. This is a book you will want to pour over again and again, because the illustrations are so rich. For those who like to purchase a new Christmas book each year, this is the one!