Little Women

<b>Louisa May Alcott's classic tale of four sisters in a deluxe hardcover edition with beautiful cover illustrations by Anna Bond the artist behind world-renowned stationery brand Rifle Paper Co.<br></b><br>Grown-up Meg tomboyish Jo timid Beth and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn't be more different. But with their father away at war and their mother working to support the family they have to rely on one another. Whether they're putting on a play forming a secret society or celebrating Christmas there's one thing they can't help wondering: Will Father return home safely? &quot;The American female myth.&quot;<br>—Madelon Bedell About the cover artist:<p>Based in Winter Park Florida <b>Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.</b> a worldwide stationery and gift brand is an artist best known for her whimsical designs which often include hand-painted illustrations and lettering. She has created unique illustrated covers for the Puffin in Bloom book collection which includes such classics as L. M. Montgomery's <i>Anne of Green Gables</i> <i>Heidi </i>by Johanna Spyri and <i>A Little Princess </i>by Frances Hodgson Burnett. <br><br>About the author:<br><br>Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) grew up in Concord Massachusetts and began her writing career at an early age with short stories for newspapers and magazines. What began as a series of stories in the 1860s became the classic American children's novel we know today as <i>Little Women</i>.</p> <b>Playing Pilgrims</b><br><br><br>&quot;Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents&quot;grumbled Jo lying on the rug.<br><br>&quot;It's so dreadful to be poor!&quot;sighed Meg looking down at her old dress.<br><br>&quot;I don't think it's fair for some girls to have lots of pretty things and other girls nothing at all&quot; added little Amy with an injured sniff.<br><br>&quot;We've got father and mother and each other anyhow&quot;said Beth contentedly from her corner.<br><br>The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words but darkened again as Jo said sadly?<br><br>&quot;We haven't got father and shall not have him for a long time.&quot; She didn't say &quot;perhaps never&quot;but each silently added it thinking of father far away where the fighting was.<br><br>Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone &quot;You know the reason mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it's going to be a hard winter for every one; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much but we can make our little sacrifices and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't;&quot;and Megshook her head as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.<br><br>&quot;But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from mother or you but I do want to buy <b>Undine and Sintram</b> for myself; I've wanted it so long'said Jo who was a bookworm.<br><br>&quot;I planned to spend mine in new music&quot;said Beth with a little sigh which no one heard but the hearth-brush and kettle-holder.<br><br>&quot;I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils; I really need them&quot; said Amy decidedly.<br><br>&quot;Mother didn't say anything about our money and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want and have a little fun; I'm sure we grub hard enough to earn it&quot;cried Jo examining the heels of her<br>boots in a gentlemanly manner.<br><br>&quot;I know I do teaching those dreadful children nearly all day when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home&quot; began Meg in the complaining tone again.<br><br>&quot;You don't have half such a hard time as I do&quot; said Jo. &quot;How would you like to be shut up for hours with a nervous fussy old lady who keeps you trotting is never satisfied and worries you till you''e ready to fly out of the window or box her ears?&quot;<br><br>&quot;It's naughty to fret but I do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in the world. It makes me cross; and my hands get so stiff I can't practise good a bit.&quot; And Beth looked at her rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time.<br><br>&quot;I don't believe any of you suffer as I do&quot; cried Amy; &quot;for you don't have to go to school with impertinent girls who plague you if you don't know your lessons and laugh at your dresses and label your father if he isn't rich and insult you when your nose isn't nice.&quot;<br><br>&quot;If you mean libel I'd say so and not talk about labels as if pa was a pickle-bottle&quot; advised Jo laughing. Grown-up Meg tomboyish Jo timid Beth and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn't be more different. But with their father away at war and their mother working to support the family they have to rely on one another. Whether they're putting on a play forming a secret society or celebrating Christmas there's one thing they can't help wondering: Will Father return home safely?