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Kate's Choice: What Love Can Do ; Gwen's Adventure in the Snow : Three Fire-Side Stories to Warm the Heart
125 pages
125 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
8 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Louisa May Alcott
4,042 books10.6k followersLouisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott, she grew up among many well-known intellectuals of the day, including Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 5, 2021
A Christmas of days gone by reflecting why family is the centerpiece of the celebration.
Thanks to my friend Sara for the link. Passing it on: https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/s...
Thanks to my friend Sara for the link. Passing it on: https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/s...
December 4, 2021
No one does Christmas better than Louisa May Alcott, with the exception of Charles Dickens. She captures all that homey, wistful, wishing for perfection part of Christmas in what is a sentimental, overly precious way; but I love the feeling she leaves me with that makes me want to smile at the story and cry for the loss of this world I cannot believe was not once real.
A large, old-fashioned farm-house, with a hospitable porch and tall trees in front, an orchard behind, and a capital hill for blackberries in summer, and coasting in winter, close by. All the upper windows were curtained, and made the house look
as if it was half-asleep. At one of the lower windows sat a portly puss, blinking in the sun, and at the other appeared a cap, a regular grandmotherly old cap, with a little black bow perked up behind. Something in the lonely look of the house and the
pensive droop of that cap made Katy hurry up the walk and tap eagerly at the antique knocker.
Yes, thank you, I will spend my Christmas here.
https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/s...
A large, old-fashioned farm-house, with a hospitable porch and tall trees in front, an orchard behind, and a capital hill for blackberries in summer, and coasting in winter, close by. All the upper windows were curtained, and made the house look
as if it was half-asleep. At one of the lower windows sat a portly puss, blinking in the sun, and at the other appeared a cap, a regular grandmotherly old cap, with a little black bow perked up behind. Something in the lonely look of the house and the
pensive droop of that cap made Katy hurry up the walk and tap eagerly at the antique knocker.
Yes, thank you, I will spend my Christmas here.
https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/s...
September 17, 2020
Delightful and wonderful. Quick easy read. Kate an orphan girl from England has lost her parents. She is taken to meet the family members she never knew. Cousins. brothers.. and her grandmother. They all want her to come live with them. While living with her grandmother, she makes the ultimate decision as to whom she want to live with.
November 12, 2022
3★
“Kate went up the village street, and, pausing at the gate, looked at the home where her mother had been born. A large, old-fashioned farm-house, with a hospitable porch and tall trees in front, an orchard behind, and a capital hill for blackberries in summer, and coasting in winter, close by.”
I have read only the title story “Kate’s Choice”, about a fifteen year old girl, Kate, whose parents have died and who is visiting her uncles and cousins in turn to decide with whom to live. England, winter, late 1800s. (It was written in 1872.)
It is so overloaded with sweetness that I must quickly find something a bit tart or spicy to counteract it. Who knows? It may suit your mood perfectly.
It’s available for download as a PDF at the Library of America, along with some other stories.
http://www.loa.org/images/pdf/Alcott_...
Here’s the link if you want to see the LoA page and links to other stories.
https://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2015/1...
“Kate went up the village street, and, pausing at the gate, looked at the home where her mother had been born. A large, old-fashioned farm-house, with a hospitable porch and tall trees in front, an orchard behind, and a capital hill for blackberries in summer, and coasting in winter, close by.”
I have read only the title story “Kate’s Choice”, about a fifteen year old girl, Kate, whose parents have died and who is visiting her uncles and cousins in turn to decide with whom to live. England, winter, late 1800s. (It was written in 1872.)
It is so overloaded with sweetness that I must quickly find something a bit tart or spicy to counteract it. Who knows? It may suit your mood perfectly.
It’s available for download as a PDF at the Library of America, along with some other stories.
http://www.loa.org/images/pdf/Alcott_...
Here’s the link if you want to see the LoA page and links to other stories.
https://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2015/1...
January 26, 2015
Most insipid story I've ever read.
Okay, maybe some other Victoria moral literature I've read is equally insipid, but with more plot tension. This story really has no point, other than the obvious "You should be a dutiful young relative and live with grandmother and brighten her declining years, even if she was fine without you and didn't know you existed and vice versa."
Kate is a young woman has been orphaned. Since women don't live alone even if they have plenty of money (which she does; this is in no way a hard-luck story) she must pick one of her four uncles' families to live with. They all seem perfectly nice and are willing to have her. She goes to meet her grandmother and decides to live with her instead, because Duty. No one objects.
Okay, so what? There is just no conflict here. There is a slight implication that the uncles are too worldly and not dutiful enough, but Alcott says that they all offered to have their mother live with them and support her, and she refused. She has a nice house and a servant. She's lonely but, I'll repeat, declines to visit her children ever. I'm not exactly overwhelmed with pity here.
Kate arranges for the sons and their kids to come for Christmas. There is a pleasant gathering and everyone has a nice time. The End.
Yawn.
Okay, maybe some other Victoria moral literature I've read is equally insipid, but with more plot tension. This story really has no point, other than the obvious "You should be a dutiful young relative and live with grandmother and brighten her declining years, even if she was fine without you and didn't know you existed and vice versa."
Kate is a young woman has been orphaned. Since women don't live alone even if they have plenty of money (which she does; this is in no way a hard-luck story) she must pick one of her four uncles' families to live with. They all seem perfectly nice and are willing to have her. She goes to meet her grandmother and decides to live with her instead, because Duty. No one objects.
Okay, so what? There is just no conflict here. There is a slight implication that the uncles are too worldly and not dutiful enough, but Alcott says that they all offered to have their mother live with them and support her, and she refused. She has a nice house and a servant. She's lonely but, I'll repeat, declines to visit her children ever. I'm not exactly overwhelmed with pity here.
Kate arranges for the sons and their kids to come for Christmas. There is a pleasant gathering and everyone has a nice time. The End.
Yawn.
December 5, 2021
Such an endearing story!
August 10, 2020
Read this in February!
This is the perfect, curl-up-with-blanket, cozy winter read! Filled with some sweet short stories that made me happy. I loved it as always!❤️
This is the perfect, curl-up-with-blanket, cozy winter read! Filled with some sweet short stories that made me happy. I loved it as always!❤️
December 1, 2015
SUMMARY: A rediscovered Louisa May Alcott literary treasure is set to follow in the footsteps of The Quiet Little Woman. This gem includes two bonus short stories, plus an inspirational essay on the moral values that Alcott taught through her heroines.
REVIEW: This novella includes 3 short stories pulled from magazines written early in Luisa May Alcott's career as well as some wonderfully written biographical material on Ms. Alcott that gives a glimpse into her life.
Each of the three short stories was filled with the sweetness of character, subtlety of plot, and moral compass of Alcott's usual writing. These would be wonderful read-alouds for Christmas time to older elementary students. I especially enjoyed the main story Kate's Choice in which the boarders all represented the true Christmas spirit as they provided Christmas for the little girls. This book took me back to the time when Little Women and Little Men were 2 of my favorite books, and I would watch the movie of Little Women over and over. A great little quick read.
REVIEW: This novella includes 3 short stories pulled from magazines written early in Luisa May Alcott's career as well as some wonderfully written biographical material on Ms. Alcott that gives a glimpse into her life.
Each of the three short stories was filled with the sweetness of character, subtlety of plot, and moral compass of Alcott's usual writing. These would be wonderful read-alouds for Christmas time to older elementary students. I especially enjoyed the main story Kate's Choice in which the boarders all represented the true Christmas spirit as they provided Christmas for the little girls. This book took me back to the time when Little Women and Little Men were 2 of my favorite books, and I would watch the movie of Little Women over and over. A great little quick read.
January 17, 2022
Somehow this book has been sitting on our shelf for years and I never noticed it until now.
3.5 stars
A sweet collection of three stories. The first two are Christmas stories and the last is set during winter.
Kate’s Choice – Short, but touching. I liked Kate and her love for her family and her desire to make a special Christmas for Grandma.
What Love Can Do – This is a sweet story. A reminder that no matter how little a person has, there is always someone who has less. I loved how the characters decided to work together to make a happy Christmas for some children.
Gwen’s Adventure in the Snow – Fun, even humorous at times, this story takes place one winter afternoon. The adventure was well done without being overly dramatic.
3.5 stars
A sweet collection of three stories. The first two are Christmas stories and the last is set during winter.
Kate’s Choice – Short, but touching. I liked Kate and her love for her family and her desire to make a special Christmas for Grandma.
What Love Can Do – This is a sweet story. A reminder that no matter how little a person has, there is always someone who has less. I loved how the characters decided to work together to make a happy Christmas for some children.
Gwen’s Adventure in the Snow – Fun, even humorous at times, this story takes place one winter afternoon. The adventure was well done without being overly dramatic.
December 31, 2021
Thanks to Angela M. for the link to this Christmas story of days gone by with family getting together and having a joyous celebration.
December 26, 2015
You may read online at Library of America
From Louisa May Alcott: Work, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Stories & Other Writings
A number of sources claim that the first mention of Christmas elves was made by Louisa May Alcott in an 1855 story collection called, well, “Christmas Elves.” But that claim is mitigated by a number of caveats: Alcott’s book, written when she was twenty-three, was never published; since the manuscript was either lost or destroyed, we don’t really know anything about its contents or if Alcott’s elves resemble Santa’s little helpers we all know today; and perhaps most important, the 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas [Night Before Christmas]” calls Santa himself “a right jolly old elf,” suggesting that the idea of Santa being surrounded by other elves had been bandied about in the several decades before Alcott assembled her manuscript.
From Louisa May Alcott: Work, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Stories & Other Writings
A number of sources claim that the first mention of Christmas elves was made by Louisa May Alcott in an 1855 story collection called, well, “Christmas Elves.” But that claim is mitigated by a number of caveats: Alcott’s book, written when she was twenty-three, was never published; since the manuscript was either lost or destroyed, we don’t really know anything about its contents or if Alcott’s elves resemble Santa’s little helpers we all know today; and perhaps most important, the 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas [Night Before Christmas]” calls Santa himself “a right jolly old elf,” suggesting that the idea of Santa being surrounded by other elves had been bandied about in the several decades before Alcott assembled her manuscript.
December 21, 2016
Love this book!
To read my review check:
https://pageturnersweb.wordpress.com/...
To read my review check:
https://pageturnersweb.wordpress.com/...
December 22, 2009
This book is actually a compilation of 3 short stories by Louisa May Alcott. The first story of the book is called "Kate's Choice", and it was my favorite story of the book. It is about a young girl from England who has come to stay with relatives in America. She has all her aunts & uncles on their toes as they wait to hear about a certain life-changing decision that she must make. Not only does she make a surprising choice, but she also plans a very merry Christmas secret.
"What Love Can Do" is the second story. It features 2 sisters who share their quaint Christmas wishes with each other. Each of them wish they had a bit more money to spend on gifts for their family.
What awaits them on their doorstep on Christmas morning?
The last story is entitled "Gwen's Adventure in the Snow". It shows the great courage of little boys & girls who get caught in a snowstorm during a fun sleigh ride.
Each of these stories have their own unique personality. The characters within the pages of this book show excellent qualities and virtues, just like all of Louisa May Alcott's writings. I have a very high recommendation for this book.
"What Love Can Do" is the second story. It features 2 sisters who share their quaint Christmas wishes with each other. Each of them wish they had a bit more money to spend on gifts for their family.
What awaits them on their doorstep on Christmas morning?
The last story is entitled "Gwen's Adventure in the Snow". It shows the great courage of little boys & girls who get caught in a snowstorm during a fun sleigh ride.
Each of these stories have their own unique personality. The characters within the pages of this book show excellent qualities and virtues, just like all of Louisa May Alcott's writings. I have a very high recommendation for this book.
December 17, 2022
This is a really cute little short story. Great for Louisa May Alcott fans. Five stars. 😁
September 30, 2021
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. A sweet, sweet Christmas story. Kate is a darling and so is Grandma. I love how she pointed out the importance of family and of taking care of your parents. And of course Alcott’s style is just lovely ;)
A Favourite Quote: Little by little the busy men forgot the quiet, uncomplaining old mother, who spent her years thinking of them, longing to see and know their children, hoping they would one day remember how she loved them all, and how solitary her life must be. Now and then they wrote or paid her a hasty visit, and all sent gifts of far less value to her than one loving look, one hour of dutiful, affectionate companionship.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The lads looked like a camp of weary warriors reposing after a victory, and grandma went laughing away when she had taken a proud survey of this promising portion of the rising generation. The nursery was like a little convent full of rosy nuns sleeping peacefully; while a pictured Saint Agnes, with her lamb, smiled on them from the wall, and the firelight flickered over the white figures and sweet faces, as if the sight were too fair to be lost in darkness. The little ones lay about promiscuously, looking like dissipated Cupids with sugar hearts and faded roses still clutched in their chubby hands.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...we were only talking," answered Milly[.]
“It sounded like something pleasant,” said Kate[.]
“We were talking about you,” began little May, when a poke from Frank made her stop to ask, “What's that for? We were talking about Kate, and we all said we liked her, so it's no matter if I do tell.”
A Favourite Quote: Little by little the busy men forgot the quiet, uncomplaining old mother, who spent her years thinking of them, longing to see and know their children, hoping they would one day remember how she loved them all, and how solitary her life must be. Now and then they wrote or paid her a hasty visit, and all sent gifts of far less value to her than one loving look, one hour of dutiful, affectionate companionship.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The lads looked like a camp of weary warriors reposing after a victory, and grandma went laughing away when she had taken a proud survey of this promising portion of the rising generation. The nursery was like a little convent full of rosy nuns sleeping peacefully; while a pictured Saint Agnes, with her lamb, smiled on them from the wall, and the firelight flickered over the white figures and sweet faces, as if the sight were too fair to be lost in darkness. The little ones lay about promiscuously, looking like dissipated Cupids with sugar hearts and faded roses still clutched in their chubby hands.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...we were only talking," answered Milly[.]
“It sounded like something pleasant,” said Kate[.]
“We were talking about you,” began little May, when a poke from Frank made her stop to ask, “What's that for? We were talking about Kate, and we all said we liked her, so it's no matter if I do tell.”
December 1, 2025
I believe that I read this back in 2019 but it was still delightful and heartwarming. A very cozy read heading into December.
December 31, 2010
"Parents and all who have influence with children will welcome the opportunity to share these three gentle, enchanting tales of moral influence and adventure. Each story is populated by boys and girls who learn some basic life values that families are still longing for today: belonging, simplicity, sharing, happy relationships between generations, and the adventure of growing up." (front flap)
Yes, this is actually a compilation of 3 short stories: Kate's Choice, What Love Can Do, and Gwen's Adventure in the Snow. A nice find at the library today. The stories were heartwarming, clean, and would make a wonderful addition to the library of Alcott fans. Basically Christmas themed so a great stocking stuffers for this holiday season.
Kate's Choice was about a teenage girl from England venturing to fulfill her father's dying wish. Kate must choose which among her four sets of aunts and uncles in America she will live with. All are anxious to have her but with varying motivation. Kate's choice was an incredible Christmas treat!
What Love Can Do was about two young poverty stricken sisters sharing their Christmas wishes. The right person overhears their conversation and come Christmas morning ...
Gwen's Adventure in the Snow was a story about cousins out for a sleigh ride then due to a bad blizzard, they end up stuck at a family summer home making due with what they can find. Quite a courageous bunch of kids!
A charming book, though I'm curious to see the original, unedited version.
**Find this review and more at Jinky is Reading
Yes, this is actually a compilation of 3 short stories: Kate's Choice, What Love Can Do, and Gwen's Adventure in the Snow. A nice find at the library today. The stories were heartwarming, clean, and would make a wonderful addition to the library of Alcott fans. Basically Christmas themed so a great stocking stuffers for this holiday season.
Kate's Choice was about a teenage girl from England venturing to fulfill her father's dying wish. Kate must choose which among her four sets of aunts and uncles in America she will live with. All are anxious to have her but with varying motivation. Kate's choice was an incredible Christmas treat!
What Love Can Do was about two young poverty stricken sisters sharing their Christmas wishes. The right person overhears their conversation and come Christmas morning ...
Gwen's Adventure in the Snow was a story about cousins out for a sleigh ride then due to a bad blizzard, they end up stuck at a family summer home making due with what they can find. Quite a courageous bunch of kids!
A charming book, though I'm curious to see the original, unedited version.
**Find this review and more at Jinky is Reading
December 31, 2024
So this is well written but I went into it with the wrong expectations.
Firstly, it's for a younger audience.
Secondly, I thought it was going to be a cutesy kind of love triangle novella. No, it is three short stories, emphasis on short.
Kate's 'choice' is who she is going to live with and it's painfully obvious who she's choosing.
Gwen's adventure in the snow...doesn't happen in the snow. Like...misleading much.
What Love Can Do is just all things adorable.
Definitely going to give to my nieces to read but I will likely never reread for personal pleasure.
And yes, I could have read the back but I didn't. So there's that.
Firstly, it's for a younger audience.
Secondly, I thought it was going to be a cutesy kind of love triangle novella. No, it is three short stories, emphasis on short.
Kate's 'choice' is who she is going to live with and it's painfully obvious who she's choosing.
Gwen's adventure in the snow...doesn't happen in the snow. Like...misleading much.
What Love Can Do is just all things adorable.
Definitely going to give to my nieces to read but I will likely never reread for personal pleasure.
And yes, I could have read the back but I didn't. So there's that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2018
6 star book
There is a Christmas story in this book that is quite beautiful, i'll be putting this volume next to Henry Van Dyke, O. Henry and The Bird's Christmas Carol.
The first story, Kate's Choice, is about an orphaned girl who is sent to stay w/each of her four uncles families and then decide who she wants to live w/permanently. Someone mentions a very old grandma still alive and Kate shocks everyone by wanting to meet her before she decides who to stay with. This story is special.
There is a Christmas story in this book that is quite beautiful, i'll be putting this volume next to Henry Van Dyke, O. Henry and The Bird's Christmas Carol.
The first story, Kate's Choice, is about an orphaned girl who is sent to stay w/each of her four uncles families and then decide who she wants to live w/permanently. Someone mentions a very old grandma still alive and Kate shocks everyone by wanting to meet her before she decides who to stay with. This story is special.
February 3, 2024
(this book is made up of three short stories)
3.5 stars, super cute quick reads! 3.5 stars isn’t a bad rating at all for me, the stories were just too short to connect to/rate any higher in my opinion. Overall I recommend this for a cute, quick, and cozy read!
3.5 stars, super cute quick reads! 3.5 stars isn’t a bad rating at all for me, the stories were just too short to connect to/rate any higher in my opinion. Overall I recommend this for a cute, quick, and cozy read!
December 4, 2025
This is a very warm and heartfelt story by Louisa May Alcott. I thoroughly enjoyed being transported to a different time and place during the Christmas season. The story is simple. It may be unrealistic, but keep in mind that it is a story. So far, it is my favorite Christmas pick for this season.
September 5, 2019
Delightful
June 25, 2024
i love her cute reads🫶
September 16, 2025
I loved all 3 stories and the part where they included about this wonderful author. I enjoyed reading her short stories my favorite was Kate’s Choice. Beautiful written work!
December 5, 2021
This was exactly what I wanted to read. Such a cozy and quick read.
Kate now orphan, and according to her father's wish, Kate was to live for a while with the families of each of her four uncles before she decided with which she would make her home. Love it❤
Kate now orphan, and according to her father's wish, Kate was to live for a while with the families of each of her four uncles before she decided with which she would make her home. Love it❤
April 14, 2024
In true Alcott fashion, bits of lively, sweet story telling centered around children. This book consisted of 3 short stories that were featured in a magazine that Alcott edited.
Each presented a character that offered some moral value to the reader. It was hard to develope due to the shortness but was easily finished in an afternoon.
3.75 stars.
Each presented a character that offered some moral value to the reader. It was hard to develope due to the shortness but was easily finished in an afternoon.
3.75 stars.
November 26, 2023
A quick pre-read to decide if this one is going in K's box for Jolabokaflod. It contains three of Alcott's lesser-known short stories (each with a Christmas/winter theme). They are simple and sweet and a bit moralistic, but all are perfectly kid-appropriate, so into the box it will go!
March 6, 2011
This was a quick, simple and sweet read. These were delightful little stories, though they seemed more like snippets of longer novels to me, than stories in their own right. They really captured the kindness of the human spirit, though that seems to be lacking in today's society sometimes.
July 13, 2011
I loved the complex personalities and plot of the sisters in little women. The characters and plots of these short stories were one dimensional in comparison.
August 16, 2011
Saccharine. Odd, for the author of Little Women!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews