top of page
Search

Book Reviews: "The Little House Books" series By Laura Ingalls wilder

Updated: Jan 5, 2022

ABOUT + INSIGHT


little_house_books_me

Have you ever wondered about life when there were no railroads, electricity, or computers in America? When America was just a vast wilderness during the 1800s-1900s? Then the Little House Books series is for you!

The Little House Books explains the pioneer life of the Ingalls Family and Wilder Family, more specifically our favorite pioneer girl, Laura Ingalls Wilder. These books were written by her! With colorful images drawn by artist Garth Williams.

There are 9 books in this series.

The first is the Big House in the Little Woods. This book is based on the early stages of Laura's, Mary's, and Baby Carrie's life. Since they live in the Big Woods, they are surrounded by wolves, panthers, and bears. But Pa hunted and trapped. And the girls enjoy events like going to town and Grandpa's house. The Ingalls family work, farm, and play together at the "Big Woods" (Wisconsin woods, the 1870s).

The second book is Little House on the Prairie. But I haven't read this book because I don't have it. So I'm sorry I can't explain this to you.

The third book is Farmer Boy. This book is based on Almanzo Wilder's childhood. Like Laura, he works, farms, and plays with his family. However, the setting is now in New York State. Farmer Boy also includes how farming was with hired men and living with a bossy older sister, Eliza; a kind older brother, Royal; a playful younger sister, Alice; and strict but sweet parents, Ma and Pa. The five siblings also have to stay home alone when Ma and Pa go visit some relatives. But there are fun events like the County Fair and Independence Day, July 14th. This book is one of my favorites in the Little House Books series.

The fourth book is On the Banks of Plum Creek. After traveling in a wagon, the Ingalls Family makes their new home beside the banks of Plum Creek, Minnesota. There they have to overcome trials like storms, blizzards, and grasshopper plagues. But they still have fun at parties, holiday celebrations, sleigh rides, and church. This is also where Laura meets her enemy, the rich and proud Nellie Oleson.

The fifth book is By the Shores of Silver Lake. In their former home, the Ingalls Family have experienced misfortune, they were in debt from doctor's bills and Mary became blind because of scarlet fever. So Pa went west to work on a railroad camp, where he will earn as much as 50 dollars a month. Then soon, Pa sent for the rest of his family and they were one of the first settlers in the town of De Smet. That was also the first time Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and Baby Grace rode on a train. There were some trials, like being scared of horse thieves, rough men, murderers, wolves, and murder in town. But there were still happy times like being with relatives and kind neighbors, town church, and being able to have their homestead claim.

The sixth book is The Long Winter. This book describes how not only the family but also others, had to suffer a blizzard that lasted for 7 months until everybody had to starve. But probably not everyone. It is Almanzo Wilder, along with Cap Garland, who saves the town of De Smet from starving. And after this heavy, hard winter stops, everyone can get fresh food and supplies from the train. This is also the book where Laura meets Almanzo.

The seventh book is Little Town on the Prairie. This book explains how the town revives itself from the hard winter. Laura and Carrie are now able to go to school. Laura is also able to work in town so that Mary can go to college. There are fun town meetings and many shocking surprises like Nellie Oleson, Miss Wilder, and Almanzo Wilder bringing Laura to school in his buggy. But the greatest surprise for Laura is yet to come.

The eighth book is These Happy Golden Years. This book tells about Laura's life as a schoolteacher and how Almanzo courts and eventually weds her.

The ninth book is The First Four Years. Laura doesn't want to marry a farmer, so Almanzo asks her to give him 3 years and if farming is not a success, he'll do whatever Laura wants. Laura agrees, and together they face challenges like hailstorms, neighbors, and more.

Altogether, I can say that Little House Books is a great series depicting the life of an American pioneer and farmer. Once I start reading a book, I get hooked up and try my best to finish this series. For parents,there is nothing inappropriate or bad in this series, I gurantee you that.I recommend you read it now! I also recommend this book for the age of 10 and above.


AGE-APPROPRIATE

Ages 10 & up, grades 6-9.


ADDITIONAL DETAILS

PRAISE

“Every mother’s daughter should have this boxed set.”

–VOGUE


"Originally published from 1932 to 1943, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books are classics of children’s literature, beloved by millions. But readers who last enjoyed dvd plus the whole series of books. My little cherubs have grown up with Laura, Mary, and Carrie the same way that I did. The values in this series are the ones we all should emulate. So much better than the pop culture media available today."

- King31mom from CommonSenseMedia


"For a while, I had a close imaginary friendship with the Laura of On the Banks of Plum Creek, who felt closest to my age in those books. I was eight or nine; I had knowingly conjured her up to talk with her in my head. I daydreamed that she'd shown up in the twentieth century and I had to be her guide. So Laura was my friend, and it's perhaps a testament to the utterly solitary nature of my relationship with her that for the whole time I was enthralled with the book series as a child."

- Wendy Mclure, from The Atlantic



SOLI DEO GLORIA!


FOLLOW ME


FOLLOW WE THINKERS' THREE


Comments

bottom of page