For parents

Little Women for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

Four sisters, one cozy home, and a year of growing up. Here’s how to bring Little Women to young readers.

By Sean Lee · October 21, 2026

What is Little Women about?

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was first published in 1868. It follows the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as they grow up in a small New England town while their father is away. They don’t have much money, but they have each other, their wise mother Marmee, and the lonely boy next door, Laurie, who becomes their best friend.

Alcott based the sisters on her own family, and Jo, who wants to be a writer, is a lot like Louisa herself.

Meet the March sisters

• Meg: the gentle eldest sister, who loves pretty things and family warmth.
• Jo: bold, funny and full of stories; dreams of becoming a famous writer.
• Beth: shy and kind, with a love of music.
• Amy: the youngest, an artist with big plans.
• Marmee: their wise and loving mother.
• Laurie: the playful, generous boy next door.

Is it right for young children?

Mostly, yes: it’s a warm family story full of plays, picnics, snowball fights and holiday mornings. The original also includes illness and loss later in the story. A children’s retelling handles those moments gently, and they can open caring conversations about family and kindness. Read ahead if you’d like to prepare.

Big ideas to talk about

• Sisters can be very different and still love each other.
• Giving to others, like the sisters sharing their Christmas breakfast, can feel better than getting.
• Everyone has a temper or a fault to work on, even heroes like Jo.
• Following your dreams takes practice and patience.

Activities

• Put on a family play, just like the March sisters do.
• Start a family newspaper, like the sisters’ “Pickwick Portfolio”.
• Use our free Little Women character cards to retell the story.
• Ask: which sister are you most like?