Close Modal
0 0
Download high-resolution image

Louisa Learns to Write

Louisa May Alcott Creates Little Women

Author Kate Hannigan
Illustrated by Sofia Moore
Hardcover
$19.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
8-1/2"W x 11"H | 20 oz | 12 per carton
On sale Jan 20, 2026 | 40 Pages | 9781629794563
Age 7-10 years | Grades 2-5
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

additional book photo
additional book photo
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.
"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
© Erielle Bakkum Photography
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 titles are Rachel Carson’s Wonder-Filled World, Louisa Learns to Write, and My Word, Theodore!. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
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. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. View titles by Sofia Moore

Educator Guide for Louisa Learns to Write

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo

About

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.

Praise

"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

Author

© Erielle Bakkum Photography
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 titles are Rachel Carson’s Wonder-Filled World, Louisa Learns to Write, and My Word, Theodore!. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
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. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. View titles by Sofia Moore

Additional Materials

Educator Guide for Louisa Learns to Write

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

Other Books by this Author

Penguin Random House Retail

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)