Book Review: “The Mother-Daughter Book Club” reads “Little Women”

Guest post by Belle Thomas, webmaster of oldfashionedgirl.blog A few years ago, when visiting Louisa May Alcott’s home in Concord, Massachusetts, I discovered a book called The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick.  According to the summary on the back of the book, the story was about four girls and their moms embarking on …

Meet the real person behind Laurie Lawrence through letters by the “little women.”

Ever since the publication of Little Women in 1868, readers have been enchanted with Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence and were bitterly disappointed when Jo March rejected his marriage proposal. The dark, handsome, and lively young man loved pulling pranks, often engaged in fiery discussions with Jo, and was there for her in every significant moment of …

Looking for correspondents for Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

You may have noticed that I have not been as active on this blog as I used to be. The combination of writing my book on Elizabeth and health issues has made it challenging to keep up. I would like this blog to have fresh posts more frequently. Therefore, I am reaching out to you. …

My latest “Discover Concord” articles: “Alcott as Their Muse:  Little Women’s Legacy  Honored by Contemporary Authors” from the Summer 2023 issue, and “Beyond Words: The Depth of Louisa May Alcott’s Legacy” from the Summer 2022 issue

Here are two articles I wrote that were published in "Discover Concord" magazine. My apologies for not posting the article from 2022 in a more timely fashion. I have been  utterly immersed in my biography of Elizabeth Alcott (two chapters to go before I finish the first draft!) and therefore, have been neglecting this blog. …

Generous donation to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House celebrates Louisa’s important legacy

After capturing Louisa May Alcott’s legacy in a haunting portrait, Canadian artist Malcolm Hollyman has generously donated his work to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. Working off of a familiar daguerreotype of the Little Women author, Mr. Hollyman sought to portray Louisa’s complex life beyond that of a best-selling children’s author. “I wanted to paint …

Louisa May Alcott’s exquisite needlework and its connection to “Jack and Jill”

I am indebted to my good friend Virginia Martin for alerting me to the latest issue of "Piecework" and the wonderful article by Lisa-Anne Bauch about Louisa May Alcott's needlework and its connection to one of her later juvenile novels, Jack and Jill. Bauch summarizes the plot and weaves Louisa's use of needlework to flesh …

February Little Women Film Festival at Orchard House

In anticipation of the  Concord Players' performance of "Little Women: The Broadway Music" in April and May,  screenings of all the major Little Women films will be taking place at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, at the School of Philosophy during the month of February: Visit the Concord Players website (scroll down) and Louisa May …

Sign up now for next week’s Summer Conversational Series – theme is “Learning’s Altar” – The Rise of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in Concord and Beyond

My thanks to the Barrow Bookstore for this announcement:   The Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House Summer Adult Education series is returning this week! July 10-14, 2022.   Started in 1879 as the dream of Bronson Alcott, the best conversation series brings speakers from around this world. This year’s presenters will include Dr. Kristina West, …

My presentation on the life of Louisa May Alcott

I am pleased to present this 54 minute video presentation on my interpretation of the life of Louisa May Alcott, as told through her family.  As there would be no Jo March as we know her without Marmee, Mr. March, Meg, Beth, and Amy, there would be no Louisa May Alcott without Bronson, Abigail, Anna, …

Join me for a Zoom presentation on the life of Louisa May Alcott tonight, March 16.

I am giving my talk tonight, March 16, on the life of Louisa May Alcott at the Kutztown Community Library in PA from 6:30 to 7:30 EST via Zoom. You can register by sending an email to kutztownlibrary@gmail.com Visit https://www.berkslibraries.org/events/3391 for more information. Are you passionate about Louisa May Alcott too? Subscribe to the email …