Product Description

The third book about the March family and their friends. With two sons of her own, and twelve rescued orphan boys filling the informal school at Plumfield, Jo March (now Jo Bhaer) couldn't be happier. But despite the warm and affectionate help of the whole March family, boys have a habit of getting into scrapes and there are plenty of troubles and adventures ahead.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8529 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

About the Author
Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) was brought up in Pennsylvania, USA. She turned to writing in order to supplement the family income and had many short stories published in magazines and newspapers. Then, in 1862, during the height of the American Civil War, Louisa went to Georgetown to work as a nurse, but she contracted typhoid. Out of her experiences she wrote Hospital Sketches (1864) which won wide acclaim, followed by an adult novel, Moods. She was reluctant to write a children's book but then realized that in herself and her three sisters she had the perfect models. The result was Little Women (1868) which became the earliest American children's novel to become a classic

Customer Reviews

Timeless Insights into Educating and Raising Children
If Little Men weren't an entertaining novel, it could serve as a timeless reminder of how adults can help children direct their energies in helpful ways and develop better habits. The philosophy is to provide lots of love, understanding, forgiveness, slack and carefully chosen incentives and guidance while encouraging friendships among youngsters who will balance one another out if they spend time together. You'll recognize lots of Marmee's loving approach in Jo's more rough and tumble perspective. It's a nice combination.

For those who loved the child-centered world of Little Women, you'll be entranced by what Jo does to educate and raise her own boys, her nephew and niece, a troublesome neighbor girl, male boarders and some unfortunate orphans.

Much of the novel focuses on the character development of two poor orphans, Nat and Dan, who find Jo's Plumfield (which she inherited near the end of Little Women) to be an unfamiliar paradise of a home and school that requires some adjusting to.

Although the title is Little Men, there's plenty of focus on Daisy, twin sister to Demi, Nan, an independent girl with lots of energy, and Bess, Amy and Laurie's daughter. There are pretend balls, teas, and dramatic performances that echo those in Little Women.

But the male slant that is subdued in Little Women bursts forth in Little Men as the book recounts pranks, brawls, collections of disgusting items, pillow fights, taming a colt and doing heavy chores.

Like Little Women, the chapters are really short stories involving the same characters as they progress from month to month.

If you haven't read Little Women, by all means start there. An important part of the fun of Little Men is finding out what happened next to Meg, Jo, Amy and Laurie.

What Jo Did Next
From the days when they were 'Little Women', it was Jo who has been a central figure in the chronicles of March family. In 'Little Men' it is amazing to see how she has grown and matured in to a woman who resembles Mrs March. Just like Mrs March has been a pillar of strength and beacon of moralities in 'Little Women', here it is Jo, who shows the way to the unique boys.
It is interesting to note that while in 'Little Women' Mr March has been largely absent (which does not detract anything from the book), that in 'Little Men' we can see the different roles Mr Bhaer and Mrs Bhaer play in the nurturing of the boys.

While in this day and age already permeaed with psycho-analysis and various therapeutic and counselling sessions, this book shows what simple, solid and down-to-earth parenting is all about.

The new characters are all very interesting, and while Alcott may have won fame as her writings featuring female characters, 'Little Men' shows that she can do as well with male characters also.

Timeless Insights into Educating and Raising Children

If Little Men weren't an entertaining novel, it could serve as a timeless reminder of how adults can help children direct their energies in helpful ways and develop better habits. The philosophy is to provide lots of love, understanding, forgiveness, slack and carefully chosen incentives and guidance while encouraging friendships among youngsters who will balance one another out if they spend time together. You'll recognize lots of Marmee's loving approach in Jo's more rough and tumble perspective. It's a nice combination.

For those who loved the child-centered world of Little Women, you'll be entranced by what Jo does to educate and raise her own boys, her nephew and niece, a troublesome neighbor girl, male boarders and some unfortunate orphans.

Much of the novel focuses on the character development of two poor orphans, Nat and Dan, who find Jo's Plumfield (which she inherited near the end of Little Women) to be an unfamiliar paradise of a home and school that requires some adjusting to.

Although the title is Little Men, there's plenty of focus on Daisy, twin sister to Demi, Nan, an independent girl with lots of energy, and Bess, Amy and Laurie's daughter. There are pretend balls, teas, and dramatic performances that echo those in Little Women.

But the male slant that is subdued in Little Women bursts forth in Little Men as the book recounts pranks, brawls, collections of disgusting items, pillow fights, taming a colt and doing heavy chores.

Like Little Women, the chapters are really short stories involving the same characters as they progress from month to month.

If you haven't read Little Women, by all means start there. An important part of the fun of Little Men is finding out what happened next to Meg, Jo, Amy and Laurie.