Laura Ingalls’s story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Four-year-old Laura lives in the little house with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack. Pioneer life is sometimes hard, since the family must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her folks celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa’s fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep. And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.

What Kind of Book is Little House in the Big Woods

Reviews

The Goodfather

7.00

Lauren Hancock

5.75

I think this book is great--simple, charming, and really kind of magical in its own special way. I remember reading this book (and the rest of the series) as a first grader and just wanting to go out in the backyard and pretend it was my homestead and pick some grass or something. I recently read some of this book aloud to my preschooler and decided that I think it would be a better book to let her read on her own in a few more years.

The Fun Uncle

5.50

I still remember reading this great story when I was little. I love the way it portrays family and the sacrifices that family members make for each other, especially parents. The stories are intriguing for the suggested age group, with morals and stories that are sure to induce a desire to treat the ones we share our "little houses" with.

Book Lists That Include This Book

Books about farms

Books about parenting

Books about sisters

The Creatives Behind the Book

Author

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) was born in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods. With her family, she pioneered throughout America’s heartland during the 1870s and 1880s, finally settling in Dakota Territory. She married Almanzo Wilder in 1885; their only daughter, Rose, was born the following year. The Wilders moved to Rocky Ridge Farm at Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894, where they established a permanent home. After years of farming, Laura wrote the first of her beloved Little House books in 1932. The nine Little House books are international classics. Her writings live on into the twenty-first century as America’s quintessential pioneer story.

Illustrator

Garth Williams

Garth Williams (1912–1996) was known for his realistic yet highly expressive animal characters. He brought to life some of the best-loved children’s books of the twentieth century, including Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series and E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. Williams illustrated many timeless Golden Books, including Baby Farm Animals, Mister Dog, and The Friendly Book.