The 157th Publication Anniversary of Little Women

Louisa started writing at a very young age. Her father would take her hand and guide it to form the words on the page in which Louisa wished to inscribe. Many think that Louisa’s first publication was Little Women, however, when she was a nurse during the Civil War, she wrote four publications titled Hospital Sketches, based on her life at that time. Hospital Sketches were a huge success, thus a publisher from Boston approached Lousia and asked her if she would be interested in writing a children’s story using the same structure. It would take Louisa six and a half weeks to write Little Women. She was able to write it so quickly because she used her personal journals for inspiration. For example, it was her time as a nurse that gave depth to Mr. March’s experience in the war, as well as Meg’s wedding scene was based on Lousia’s sister Anna’s wedding day. Little Women would become a bestseller that is still loved today!

Join the club and learn much more about Louisa May Alcott and the March Sisters!