In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll get to know why Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was such a wonder (and indeed, she was!).
And who could be a better guest for this conversation than Jan Turnquist?
Jan Turnquist is Executive Director of Orchard House, the home where Louisa wrote Little Women, and Co-Executive Producer, Director, and Host of the Emmy-Award Winning documentary, Orchard House.
She’s a true Louisa May Alcott expert, and has wonderful insight into the Alcott family, and why Little Women has endured.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- my own very favorite part of visiting Orchard House (hint: it has to do with drawing on the walls!)
- the beauty in re-reading Little Women at different life stages
- little known details about Louisa May Alcott, and the very unique and rather revolutionary Alcott family
I’ll also tackle a listener question about whether it’s worthwhile to have your kids watch movie versions of a book after reading it. (What I say here just might surprise you!)
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Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
| 2:22 | Question: Is it worthwhile to watch a movie version of a book? |
| 3:56 | Why it works (in other words: yes) |
| 6:00 | Enjoying a story in various forms |
| 9:13 | Meeting Louisa May Alcott |
| 12:04 | When a book speaks to you in a new way |
| 15:46 | A dangerous desk! |
| 17:16 | Bronson’s educational maxims |
| 18:17 | An autobiographical novel |
| 19:26 | A favorite Orchard House room |
| 22:26 | ‘The real person in each of their children’ |
| 23:14 | Louisa May Alcott, the nurse |
| 28:43 | An enduring story |
| 33:02 | Always hope |
| 34:28 | Thoughts on the newest movie |
| 35:21 | Extra, extra! |
| 38:35 | Let the kids speak |
Links from this episode:
- Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts
- Little Women (2019 film) — highly recommended!
- RAR Premium
- Jamie from SimpleHomeschool.net
- Jamie’s books:
Quotes to remember:
“I think they were much more interested in the real person of each of their children, than what society might think or what the normal path would be.” – Jan Turnquist
Photos from my trip to Orchard House in Massachusetts:
Books from this episode:
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Want to join in our Little Men Mama Book Club?
We’re reading Little Men this spring in RAR Premium for our Mama Book Club, and Jan Turnquist will be back to chat with us about it!
