Jean Webster was an American writer known for her charming, humorous fiction. Her best-known novel, Daddy-Long-Legs, is a beloved classic highlighting early 20th-century life and romance.
If you enjoy reading books by Jean Webster then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoyed Jean Webster’s heartfelt stories and lively characters will likely appreciate the charm and warmth of L. M. Montgomery. Montgomery, a Canadian author known for her lovable, spirited heroines, offers a wonderful journey in Anne of Green Gables.
The novel introduces Anne Shirley, a talkative, imaginative orphan who arrives by mistake at the home of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. They had initially intended to adopt a boy to help on the farm.
Anne quickly captures their hearts with adventures and misadventures fueled by her vivid imagination and stubborn optimism, changing life in Avonlea forever.
Montgomery’s vibrant depiction of Prince Edward Island’s landscapes, along with the humorous and touching growth of Anne herself, makes it a timeless reading experience.
Kate Douglas Wiggin was an American author known for her cheerful storytelling and relatable characters. If you enjoyed Jean Webster’s books, Kate Douglas Wiggin’s classic Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm could be a great next read.
The novel follows young Rebecca Rowena Randall, a spirited girl sent to live with her strict aunts in Riverboro, Maine. Her lively imagination, warmth, and determination charm her new community and gradually soften her aunts’ hearts.
Wiggin fills this story with heartfelt humor, gentle insight, and lovable characters you won’t easily forget.
Louisa May Alcott is an American author best known for charming, heartfelt stories that explore young women’s lives and ambitions. Readers fond of Jean Webster’s warm and relatable approach to storytelling often find Alcott’s work equally appealing.
Alcott’s classic, Little Women, explores the lives of the four March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate childhood, family bonds, loss, and love during the Civil War in New England.
Each sister has distinct dreams and vivid personalities, but Jo especially stands out with her bold independence and aspiration to become a writer. This tender, lively story blends humor, warmth, and life lessons, and has become a timeless tale readers revisit again and again.
Frances Hodgson Burnett was a British-American author famous for her thoughtful stories about children and young adults. If you loved Jean Webster’s Daddy-Long-Legs, you might enjoy Burnett’s A Little Princess.
This story features Sara Crewe, a lively and imaginative girl who attends a strict boarding school in London. Sara’s life suddenly changes when tragic news strikes, and she faces challenges with resilience and grace.
The book has warmth, humor, and charm, combined with a clear-eyed look at friendship and hardship. Burnett creates characters who feel real and relatable, and readers often become deeply attached to them.
Readers who enjoy Jean Webster’s warm-hearted tales might appreciate Eleanor H. Porter’s uplifting stories. Porter is best known for her book Pollyanna, which follows the story of a spirited young orphan named Pollyanna.
After losing her parents, Pollyanna moves in with her strict and stern Aunt Polly.
She stays positive even through tough circumstances thanks to a game she learned from her father, called the glad game, where one finds something to be glad about no matter how bleak things look.
Her optimism slowly brightens the lives of people around her, transforming not only her aunt’s perspective but also the entire town’s attitude. This heartwarming story celebrates kindness, hope, and the power of positive thinking.
Gene Stratton-Porter has a style that readers of Jean Webster can appreciate. She combines nature, romance, and heartfelt storytelling with ease.
In her book A Girl of the Limberlost, we meet Elnora Comstock—a bright and spirited girl who longs to escape the difficulties of her home life. Her refuge is the lush forests and marshes of the Limberlost swamp. There, she collects moths and butterflies to fund her education.
The setting is vivid and atmospheric, and the emotional depth of Elnora’s journey to independence is memorable. Anyone who enjoyed the charm and sincerity of Jean Webster’s heroines would likely connect with the strong and determined Elnora.
Books by Dodie Smith appeal strongly to readers who enjoy Jean Webster’s warmth and wit. In I Capture the Castle, Smith introduces readers to Cassandra Mortmain, a charmingly observant teenager who lives with her eccentric family in a crumbling English castle.
Through Cassandra’s journal entries, readers experience her humorous insights, gentle romances, and relatable coming-of-age moments. Smith crafts characters who are genuine and funny, filled with quirks and vulnerabilities that capture your heart right from the start.
If Jean Webster’s spirited characters and heartfelt storytelling resonate with you, Dodie Smith is a writer worth exploring.
Books by Elizabeth Goudge often have charm, warmth, and a dash of gentle humor that Jean Webster fans appreciate. In The Little White Horse, Goudge creates a magical world filled with enchantment and mystery.
The story follows young Maria Merryweather, who arrives at Moonacre Manor determined to uncover the secrets of her family’s past and bring healing to past feuds.
With lively characters, delightful countryside settings, and just a hint of fairy-tale magic, this book gives readers a comforting escape into a beautifully imagined world.
If you enjoyed Jean Webster’s spirited characters and heartwarming storytelling in Daddy-Long-Legs, Elizabeth Goudge offers a similar sense of joy and wonder.
Books by E. Nesbit offer a charming blend of humor, warmth, and imagination similar to the novels of Jean Webster. Nesbit writes about everyday life and adventures in a fresh, lively style that feels welcoming and genuine.
In The Railway Children, three siblings—Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis—move to a countryside cottage when their father mysteriously disappears.
At their new home, they find joy, mystery, and excitement near a bustling railway, befriending passengers and railway workers, and solving puzzles along the way.
Nesbit captures childhood curiosity and courage so vividly that readers will quickly connect with the characters, their warmth and authenticity bringing the story to life.
If you enjoy Jean Webster’s heartfelt stories of spirited young heroines finding their way in the world, Johanna Spyri offers something equally charming. Spyri, a Swiss author from the 19th century, captured readers’ hearts with her classic children’s novel Heidi.
This delightful story revolves around Heidi, a cheerful orphan girl sent to live with her reclusive grandfather high up in the Swiss Alps. As Heidi explores her new mountain home, she transforms the lives of those around her with genuine warmth, friendship, and kindness.
The beautiful Alps setting, close friendships, and uplifting themes make Heidi a perfect read for anyone who loves stories filled with optimism and charm.
If you enjoy Jean Webster’s stories of spirited young heroines and heartwarming moments, Noel Streatfeild’s novels might interest you. Her book Ballet Shoes introduces readers to Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, three orphaned sisters adopted by an eccentric explorer.
Their unconventional household comes alive as the girls discover and pursue their individual talents: acting, engineering, and ballet. Streatfeild thoughtfully captures their determination and the lively atmosphere of their London home, filled with memorable characters.
Readers who appreciate Webster’s themes of resilience and hopeful journeys will find charm and warmth in this delightful story about family, ambition, and finding your own path.
Readers who enjoy Jean Webster’s lively and heartfelt stories may also appreciate the delightful works of Susan Coolidge.
Coolidge’s book What Katy Did follows the adventures of Katy Carr, a spirited and imaginative young girl whose boundless energy and lively pranks often get her into trouble.
After an unexpected accident forces Katy into bed rest, she learns important lessons about patience, kindness, and perseverance. Katy’s relatable personality and the warmth of her family life make this book an engaging story about overcoming challenges and personal growth.
For anyone fond of Webster’s charming heroines and meaningful life lessons set in a welcoming, family-oriented world, Coolidge’s novels offer a friendship worth discovering.
Maud Hart Lovelace was an American author who created heartwarming stories about friendship, family, and growing up in early 20th-century America.
In her book Betsy-Tacy, Lovelace introduces readers to Betsy Ray and Tacy Kelly, two young girls who quickly form a lifelong friendship in the small Minnesota town of Deep Valley.
The novel follows the simple yet delightful adventures of Betsy and Tacy, capturing the innocence and joy of childhood as they navigate everyday life, school days, picnics, and imaginary games.
If you’ve enjoyed Jean Webster’s humorous and heartfelt stories, Lovelace’s charming characters and nostalgic style could easily become a new favorite.
If you enjoy Jean Webster’s charming stories and lively characters, Elizabeth Enright’s books are sure to appeal to you. Enright is best known for warm family adventures and sparkling dialogue, especially in her children’s classic The Saturdays.
In this delightful story, the four Melendy siblings decide to pool their allowances, taking turns to embark on adventures alone every Saturday. From thrilling art gallery visits to unexpected encounters in New York City, each sibling’s outing becomes a mini-adventure.
Enright’s writing is witty, authentic, and filled with humor, offering a fresh look at childhood dreams and bonds.
Books by Betty Smith capture everyday life with warmth and sincerity, perfect for readers who appreciate Jean Webster’s heartfelt storytelling.
Her classic novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, portrays the experiences of young Francie Nolan as she grows up in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood in the early 1900s.
Francie’s journey through childhood, family struggles, and dreams for a better life comes alive with vivid characters and emotional depth.
The details about Francie’s love of reading, her quiet moments on the fire escape, and her unwavering hope despite hardships make the story richly satisfying. Betty Smith’s gentle yet honest style echoes the thoughtful charm found in Jean Webster’s works.