October 29, 2017

Little House in the Big Woods

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Harper Trophy, 1931
Pages: 238
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Based on the real-life adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in the award-winning Little House series, which has captivated generations of readers. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.


Little House in the Big Woods takes place in 1871 and introduces us to four-year-old Laura, who lives in a log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. She shares the cabin with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their lovable dog, Jack.

Pioneer life isn’t easy for the Ingalls family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But they make the best of every tough situation. They celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do their spring planting, bring in the harvest in the fall, and make their first trip into town. And every night, safe and warm in their little house, the sound of Pa’s fiddle lulls Laura and her sisters into sleep.

The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.

Review: An American classic and must-read. This book has stood the test of time like few others.

My mom first introduced me to Laura and this series when I was 7 or 8. She read the books aloud to my sister and I, one of each side of her on the living room couch. Now, I'm reading this series to my own daughters. It's imperative they fall in love with the Ingalls and Wilder families.

If you search this blog, you'll see that I have read quite a few books about LIW and I also wrote a paper on her in high school. Now that my daughters are older, I've mentioned to my husband that I'd like to see some of the Little House sites around the United States. He is receptive to the idea, so we'll see what we can do.

Little House in the Big Woods isn't my favorite book in the series. Laura never intended to make her life story a series and this book was to be one and done. Her writing style develops over the remaining books and it becomes clear that she knew additional books would be coming with each publication.

In case you're wondering, I think my favorite book is Little Town on the Prairie or By the Shores of Silver Lake. After I finish reading this series to my daughters, I'll make a definitive decision.

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