For parents

Sense and Sensibility for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

Two sisters who couldn’t be more different. How to bring Austen’s first novel to young readers.

By Sean Lee · October 22, 2026

What is Sense and Sensibility about?

Jane Austen’s first published novel (1811) follows the Dashwood sisters. When their father dies, their home goes to their half-brother, and the sisters move with their mother to a small cottage in the countryside. Elinor, the elder, is calm and sensible and keeps her feelings to herself. Marianne is passionate and romantic and shows every feeling at once.

Through new friends, disappointments and surprises, each sister learns something from the other.

Meet the characters

• Elinor Dashwood: thoughtful, patient and quietly brave.
• Marianne Dashwood: lively, musical, and full of big feelings.
• Margaret Dashwood: the youngest sister.
• Mrs. Dashwood: their loving mother.
• Edward Ferrars: shy and kind.
• Colonel Brandon: a steady, generous friend.
• Mr. Willoughby: dashing and charming, but not as dependable as he seems.

Is it right for young children?

The story opens with the loss of the sisters’ father and a move to a new home, both handled gently in a children’s retelling. After that it’s a story of friendship, disappointment and kindness, with a warm ending. Children with siblings often recognize themselves in Elinor and Marianne.

Big ideas to talk about

• Sisters (and brothers) can be opposites and still be best friends.
• Big feelings are okay; so is thinking before you act.
• Charm isn’t the same as kindness.
• Moving to a new home can lead to good things.

Activities

• Make a two-column chart: things that are “sense” and things that are “sensibility”.
• Ask: are you more like Elinor or Marianne? Who in your family is the other one?
• Draw the Dashwoods’ cottage.