FICTION

A Little Women Christmas

by Heather Vogel FREDERICK
, adapt. illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. 32p. S. & S. 2014. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781442413597; ebk. $10.99. ISBN 9781481418331. LC 2011016962.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—From the revisiting of beloved characters to the perfectly captured tone of familial warmth, the "Pleasant Meadows" chapter of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women gets a pleasing picture-book retelling. Prior plot developments—Beth's illness, Jo's shorn hair, and the family's relationship to the boy next door ("Theodore Laurence officially, but Laurie to his friends")—are succinctly woven into the story, heightening the dramatic and emotional holiday heft when the March father finally returns home from war. The gouache art honors the source material with Orchard House, Amy's ringlets, and Father's Union army uniform looking just as they should. If reading Little Women is already a holiday tradition, this is a fine addition to the rotation, especially for younger Alcott fans.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library
The March family celebrates Christmas and welcomes Father home from the Union Army in this warmhearted picture-book adaptation of scenes from Alcott's classic novel. Frederick incorporates memorable phrases into this historical-fiction narrative complemented by Ibatoulline's realistic gouache illustrations. However, the author and illustrator take unfortunate liberties with the original material (e.g., Beth as a blonde and the youngest).
Reviewed by Joanna K. Fabicon , Oct 01, 2014

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