A heartwarming and faithful retelling, that captured the heart and soul of the original, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to read Little Women but finds the original a bit long. Whether for younger children, or anyone who finds reading a struggle, or even people who just want a taste of the book with setting aside the time to read the whole thing, this retelling covers all the important moments of the first half.

I read the original book a while ago, so can't remember all the details, but the most important thing about the book to my mind is the relationships of the Marsh sisters. This book set them up perfectly and succinctly, getting enough on the page to show the different personalities and the ups and downs of their relationships with each other, while still remembering that the reader is young or possibly dyslexic. It has all the intricate details while catering to the reader.

I definitely would recommend this to anyone struggling with the full book. I really hope they continue on and do the second half, originally called Good Wives.

In Laura Wood’s bibliography you can find two kinds of books. The books that she writes herself and the retellings. She is an excellent writer in both but it’s clear that she feels freer writing her own stories, she is more creative, more engaging and more dreamy. This is my favourite side of Ms Wood as a writer and these books are comfort reads for me.

Now, Laura Wood as a writer of retellings, and it is the case of this book and of “Pride and Prejudice” that was published last year, is correct. It’s undeniable that when an author is good at what they do, the quality can’t be hidden. The problem is that these books seem to have been written by commission, trusting that Laura Wood will do it well. But they are not retellings at all. Nothing in the story changes, it’s just shorter. It mustn’t be easy to make a brief version of a well known and well loved book by so many people in the whole world. But that’s precisely why Louisa May Alcott’s readers are unlikely to buy this book, most of them know the original story by heart, and if the new book is just an abridged version of that book, they’re not going to find anything new or any different interpretation of the story, which is what retellings are for. Nevertheless this version is ideal for those who don’t like reading classics or are too afraid of the size of Ms Alcott’s book, perhaps by reading the abridged version and thanks to the fact that Laura Wood manages to maintain the spirit and the soul of the original book, perhaps those readers will one day pick up Ms. Alcott’s book and read it.

But for readers like me, this is just a very well written school summarize. It’s certainly enjoyable, but it’s not a retelling.

4.5 stars

LITTLE WOMEN is a classic that I've never read - nor seen a film of it. It's not a grim-and-depressing classic (the ones I really struggle with) and the subject matter makes me think I might have got on well with the original (like I did with WHAT KATY DID or ANNE OF GREEN GABLES as a tween.) Based on the author's note, it seems useful that I haven't seen any film as those (apparently) draw on two books, while this retelling only follows the events of the first book.

It is a delightful story about four sisters growing up with their father away and money tight but still finding friendship and fun, making do with what they have and each other. They are close but they clash from time to time, like any siblings do.

I really enjoyed how this was primarily a story about sisters. From what I'd heard about LITTLE WOMEN, I was expecting a lot of romance and misadventure in love and heartbreak, but instead was pleasantly surprised that there basically wasn't any. While a boy, Laurie, does find his way into their circles, he is a friend first and foremost.

In all, this was such a nice read - and I might even be tempted to try the original book at some point now!

Really enjoyed this lovely tribute to Jane Austen. This book was definitely a winner for me, thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful retelling of such a beautiful story. I loved this novel and it made me so happy to read.

DNF'd at 10% - Star rating of 3, as DNF doesn't match my enjoyment of the book.

Little Women is one of my favourite classics. I love the story of the March Sisters. This book is a simple retelling to make the story more readable for younger readers.

Unfortunately, I thought this book was a 'retelling' of the source material, as opposed to an editing to simplify the story. I started reading book and it was just too similar to the source material so I decided to DNF it. I think if you're looking for a simplified version of the story for a child in your life, they will find great enjoyment in this story.

This was such a wonderful re telling of little women. It’s quite a while since I read the book but I remember being intimidated by the story, as I am with many classics!

This version simplified the writing and definitely stayed true to the setting and the time, thoroughly enjoyable and very easy for a younger audience to enjoy from start to finish.

I have always loved the little women's story (especially since I have 3 little sisters) so I will always happily pick up a new retelling. This one was so sweet and I love how it was edited for a younger audience, now I can read it to my youngest sister who is just nine.

As a longtime fan of Little Women, and Louisa May Alcott, I was super excited to see how Laura Wood would undertake such a classic book and put a new spin on it. While it certainly is a modern look at Little Women, I think it fails at retelling the plot fundamentally. It accomplishes what it wanted to do in modernizing the book to make it easier for young readers to digest. But how the plot was changed takes away the core emotion of the story. I would have rather seen the book stick to the true plot. While I get happily ever afters are better for younger readers, I just didn’t like it. Certainly a fun take on a classic, but really not for me.

I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this. As a retelling it didn’t work for me, it felt stilted and overly modernised. Sorry.

Little women is my all time favorite book. I’ve always had a kinship to Jo (my beloved father called me his Jo) so when I saw this I jumped at the chance to read it.

I loved the stripped back retelling of this classic. I often stay away from classic’s because my mind wanders. I will definitely be checking out more books like this from this author and publishing house!

Little Women has always been one of my favourite stories. As a child, I loved the books and frequently reread them, so I was delighted to see that Barrington Stokes has done a version of the story for readers who may not otherwise have tried reading this fantastic story.

Laura Wood has done a brilliant job of bringing the March girl's story to life in a simpler form. I didn't feel I had lost any of the magic of the story in reading this and I loved the touches she made to make it accessible to more readers.

I requested this book for my youngest daughter as she has read and loved Little Women but at aged 8, I think elements of the story may have gone over her head. She read this in a day, a much more accessible format for her of this, one of all-time favorite books. My daughter said it was exactly like her other copy just felt quicker to read so it sounds like this retelling stayed very close to the original It's five solid stars from her and a sense of achievement that she read it in its entirety without having to ask what a word or turn of phrase means.

I was unaware of Barrington Stoke before this book. I love the idea of hi-lo books. Not just for my own eager small bookworm but in opening up so many wonderful books to a wider circle of readers. Will absolutely look out for more now.

This is a delightful retelling which is very much in tone with the original and retains all of its charm, while making it more accessible to readers. Laura Wood pays homage to this beloved classic, its characters its author wonderfully; she was the perfect match for this retelling.

This is a story that I have read the original version of many times. It is one of my favourite children’s classic.
This version is a simple retelling, which it is supposed to be. It contains all the main plot points and contains enough references to the original text to give a feel of what the original is like. It is very readable and would be a good introduction to the story.
My only quibble is why did the author give Jo red hair? Why change it when there was no reason to?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I love the story of Little Woman and being dyslexic myself this is the book I would have adored growing up.

Now, to me as a reader and an educator, Barrington Stoke can do no wrong with their ever growing dyslexia friendly range.

This version of Little Woman sticks to the main points of the original story, the struggles the family face with father away at war, the strong bond between the March sisters and the true friends they must learn to take help from when it’s truly needed. Although it’s much shorter and sometimes gentler than Louisa May Alcott’s original book that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it makes it much more accessible for many children. A true triumph for Laura Wood and Barrington Stoke and a book I can’t wait to share with children for years to come.

Laura Wood has completely captured the charm and style of Louisa May Alcott in this accessible and entertaining retelling of Little Women. Every key event from the first year has been captured: from Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy’s Christmas with the Hummels to father returning from war after Beth’s illness. Readers will get to know the girls’ generosity, love and sisterly squabbling. Key relationships with Laurie, Mr Laurence and John Brooke are shown with all the drama and fun that makes the original story so timeless.

This stunning version of an all time classic highlights another jewel in the Barrington Stoke crown. I work with so many ESOL students and they find so much joy in these versions through reading and listening.

It's a long time since I read Little Women but I love Barrington Stoke books and I get as many as I possibly can because they go really well in our primary school (not just with dyslexic children but with those who like a shorter book / have less resilience than a large book would take to read) so I wanted to read this.

Laura Wood has done an amazing job of recreating the original with seemingly a full story of the girls and their parents. Laurie, his Grandfather and Mr Brooke. Being poor doesn't stop them enjoying life and giving to others (perhaps something we should all be thinking of) nor does being ill.

I will happily get this for school, it is perfectly accessible for Y5/6 children and possibly younger. There is nothing within the story that will offend.

Anyone who has read the book or seen films will recognise the story anyway so the plot doesn't really need to be discussed. I like Jo the best I think. She's a strong independent woman who when faced with how to raise the money for her mother to travel to see her sick father takes a bold step, but is still overcome with the emotion of what she has done!

Loved it all.

Laura Wood's retelling of the Little Women is an abridged and simplified version of the original, but it holds true to all major plot and character developments and it retains the emotive power of Alcott's classic. It is ideal for the struggling and reluctant readers I work with who would otherwise not engage with this powerful novel in its written form. Note that this is Volume 1 only, ending with the return of Mr March. I'm hoping that Laura Wood writes the second part to the story for Barrington Stoke so that young readers can find out about the further loves and losses of the March sisters.
Highly recommended for Year 5 and up for invidual readers, and ideal for intervention groups in Key Stage 3 (the whole novel could probably be read in 2-4 lessons).