Louisa Learns to Write - by Kate Hannigan (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Through persistence and hard work, Louisa May Alcott goes from a little girl writing in her "Imagination Book" to the world-renowned author of Little Women.

This nonfiction picture book will inspire creativity and spark interest in writing for kids ages 7-10.

Louisa May Alcott wrote the beloved classic Little Women, but she started out as just a little girl scribbling in her journal.

Born into the middle of a spirited, creative group of sisters, Louisa was always up for exploration, play, dreaming, and creating--the traits that would one day make her a writer. Even when times were hard, Louisa's family held each other close and persevered. So when Louisa dared to write a novel, she wrote about the thing that mattered most to her--family! The four Alcott sisters became the four March sisters in the smashing hit novel Little Women.

Award-winning writer Kate Hannigan and illustrator Sofia Moore bring Louisa to life, and she is just as spunky and charming as you'd hope Jo March's creator would be.

Review Quotes

★ "Throughout her life, Louisa May Alcott loved writing... She aspired to become an author, and after serving as a nurse during the Civil War, she returned home and wrote about what she knew best: growing up in the Alcott family. The book was very successful and others would follow, but none was more beloved than Little Women (1868), which continues to enchant young readers. The emotionally expressive illustrations are formally structured--painted traditionally, then textured digitally and on paper. Hannigan's biographical picture book offers a lively introduction to Louisa as a child and as a young woman living in a close-knit American family during the 1800s and sharing her experiences with generations of girls. Fans of Little Women will enjoy the appended section comparing facts from Louisa May Alcott's life with parallel experiences from Jo March's life in Little Women."--Booklist, starred review

"Parallels between life and art come into sharp focus in this tribute to a woman who produced an American classic. Peppered throughout with strong quotes from Louisa May Alcott's personal and professional writing, this picture-book biography sets the author within the context of her best-loved work. Readers learn about Louisa's early years and overwhelming desire to write. Yet her need to support her family through her words hits roadblocks, like the discouraging words of editors, one sister's death, and another's marriage. Even so, her pen continues to move, and after modest success, she produces a work intended for a female audience--a most welcome addition at a time when books for boys dominated the market... Hannigan's clear love for Louisa and the impact of her work shine through... A loving ode to an inspiring and incredibly talented writer."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Kate Hannigan is the author of several children's books, including A Lady Has the Floor, which received four starred reviews; Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine, a 2024 NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book; and Nellie vs. Elizabeth, one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children's Books. Kate's other books have also made the 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, the 2023 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year, and were nominated for the 2023 Illinois Bluestem Award, among many other honors. Her most recent title is Rachel Carson's Wonder-Filled World.

Sofia Moore is a Ukrainian-American artist and illustrator. She loves painting traditionally and layering textures both on paper and digitally. Her recent book Dream By Dream by Geri Kolesar was a 2024 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year. Her other titles include Pencilvania by Stephanie Watson, named one of the best books of 2021 by the New York Public Library, and A Beam of Light by Elisa Boxer.