Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Books: Must-Reads for Children

No child, no family should be without these books. They should be a part of every family's library. They are timeless classics. The Little House books appeal to all age levels. These books tell the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family, who were among the early pioneers of the American west. Each describe the day to day life of people living in the late 19th century.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's writing is magical. It is clear, concise and vivid. She weaves the stories of her family's adventures with the historical accuracy of someone who has lived these things. The characters are so well developed that they will soon feel like old friends. Laura Ingalls Wilder describes things so well that after reading any of them, you actually feel like you can churn butter or make straw hats. I also know what the prairie smells like and what fresh homemade cottage cheese must have tasted like. Through Mrs. Wilder's books I have experienced a frightening river crossing in a covered wagon, meeting real Indians, the most terrible winter imaginable, wild horse rides, the terror of the first day of teaching and much more.

As a child I identified with Laura. I felt her excitement at the adventure of leaving The Little House and traveling to Indian country and eventually to the Dakota Territory. As an adult, I recognize the great courage of her parents.

These books also express the best family values. The family members love one another deeply and it evident. The little girls are secure in the love of their parents. They are taught the importance of honesty and that a man's word must be his bond. They learn the value of hard work and the accomplishment of a job well done. They value a good education and work hard at their studies.

Are you the parent of a child who says that they hate to read? Then read these books out loud to them. These books are perfect for family reading time. The entire family will enjoy reading them out loud together. They are perfect for classroom reading. They would be perfect for a teen also.

They are easy to read and will hold a child's interest. I can't tell you how many times I have read them. I like them as much now as I did when I was a child. Don't let your children grow up with out having read these books. These books are wonderful.

Buy the hard backs. Your family will like these books so much that the paperbacks won't hold up well.

Little House in the Big Woods (1932) This book is Laura's earilies memories. She and Mary and Pa and Ma and baby Carrie live in a log house in the Big Woods in Wisconsin.

Farmer Boy (1933) This book is about her husband childhood on the family farm in New York.

Little House on the Paririe (1935) Pa and Ma, Baby Carrie, Mary and Laura travel in a covered wagon to their new home in Indian Territory.

On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937) Pa and Ma and the girls travel to Plum Creek in Minnesota to live in Walnut Grove This is a Newberry Honor book.

By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939) Ma, Laura, Mary, Carrie and Baby Grace travel by train to meet Pa by the shores of Silver Lake in South Dakota. A Newberry Honor book.

The Long Winter (1940 The worst winter in over seventy years hits the town of De Smet, South Dakota cutting the town off. Pa and Ma, Laura and her sisters have to make it until spring. A Newberry Honor book

Little Town on the Prairie (1941_ De Smet and the Ingalls family prospers after the long hard winter. A Newberry Honor book

Those Happy Golden Years (1943) The town and the family continue to grow and prosper. Laura falls in love and marries. A Newberry Honor book