To prepare for this illustrator explore I immersed myself into the world of the Alcotts. I learned that Marmee (Abba) was twice as strong and good a mother in real life as in the story, that we have Father (Bronson) to thank for school recess, that Louisa loved to run, look after her family, and had a thing for owls, that Beth had the makings of a botanist with her love of flowers, and that it is thanks to Anna (Meg) and her family journals, that we know as much about them as we do today. 

Most relevantly to this post, I learned that May Alcott (Amy), later known as May Alcott Nieriker, was the original illustrator of Little Women, but that her illustrations reflected the lack of proper anatomical training available to women at that time. Her illustrations were criticized, but instead of giving up, she forged her path to proper training in Europe, resulting in her becoming an artist and influencer in her own right. 

Little Women was originally written in two parts; the first part ends just after Father returns, the second part, sometimes referred to as Good Wives, begins with Meg’s wedding.

A very special Thank You to Orchard House for allowing me to photograph my collection on the very desk on which Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women! This was just the most amazing and wonderful gift and I am so very, very grateful!

Here are my favorites.