<p><i>The classic coming of age story of four sisters, brought to life in a new book-and-CD edition.</i></p> <p>The original novel Little Women is based loosely on the experiences of author Louisa May Alcott. Meg, Beth, Amy, and Jo are four sisters growing up in America during the Civil War. Each girl struggles with a personality trait - Meg is vain; Jo, short-tempered; Beth, shy; and Amy, self-centered. As the girls try to make the best of life while their father is away at war, through their creativity and love for one another, they are able to enjoy the good moments and endure the hard times.</p> <p>Join the girls on their heartfelt journey to becoming better sisters and better friends.</p> <p>With Hear It Read It, Sourcebooks is proud to introduce a new take on this classic story, in a sturdy hardcover that children will return to again and again. For generations parents and grandparents have shared the classics with children as they start to read and "graduate" from ABCs to picture books to chapter books. These tales need no introduction: they are the same stories that were read to them, the very same adventures that filled their imaginations and taught them the power of the word to change and challenge. </p> <p><b>Sourcebooks' Little Women</b> is a bridge that introduces budding readers to chapter books. It includes not only the abridged story and 20 engaging black and white illustrations, but also the same version read on audio CD, letting kids choose how to enjoy: listen to the story, read along with the CD, or read the story to themselves.</p> <p>The CD is produced by Naxos, a leader in junior classics on audio, and read by BBC voice actor Liza Ross, with music and occasional effects to set the mood. </p>