Product Description

One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history. ... Read more

Product Description

Summer is here!

The warm days of summer have arrived, and that means Laura gets to spend fun-filled days outdoors!

Customer Reviews (7)

Gorgeous illustrations, nice introduction to the series for younger children
This short children's picture book adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House in the Big Woods perfectly captures the feel of a summer day for a little girl living rurally in the mid-1800s.The text would be appropriate for a child to read on their own at a 3rd or 4th grade level.It's a smooth read aloud to those of younger ages.

We read about and see Laura and Mary playing with friends (including tree climbing), visiting a neighbor and getting cookies, helping with the dishes, etc.So, there is a sense in which the reader is struck by similarities with the modern child.But, of course, we also are struck by the differences as they eat honey Pa has gathered and watch Ma make cheese, and of course, dress differently.These similarities and differences juxtaposed together are captivating.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and just the style I prefer.They are very rich and vibrant and imbue an idyllic charm to Laura's summer day in the Big Woods.However, I do have a bit of a complaint, in that I wish they had been just a bit more realistic.For one thing, Laura and Mary sport haircuts that are about halfway between chin and shoulder.Their hair would have been longer, as it would have been uncut.Also, they sport short-sleeved dresses, and I know adult women would wear long-sleeves even in summer, but there is a chance that didn't apply to children.Still, in the grand scheme of things, these are relatively minor complaints.

My three girls, ages 7, 5, and 3, enjoyed reading this book, and the older two have flipped through it quite a bit on their own.Of course, they've already heard many of the Little House books as I've read them aloud, but they still enjoy these short stories and the illustrations.I would definitely recommend this book to those with children in the 3-8 year-old range, especially girls.I will be looking into other titles in this series.

perfect
these little house picture books are just perfect for young children. the stories are sweet, the art is engaging. makes you want to be a pioneer.

little house in the big woods
i really enjoy reading little house books. i am a big fan of little house i watch it on tv all the time.

Teaches virtues!
I picked this up at a book swap and I'm back here to buy more books in the series.My four year old son loves this book.The illustrations are beautiful and the language is very good for a child's picture book.But what really impressed me was when my son saved half of one of his cookies, like Laura and Mary do in the story, for his dad to enjoy after work. As a parent I place a high value on any book that encourages my children to grow in virtue.

We love these books!
We love the My First Little House Books. My daughters are 4 and 2. We read them all of the time. ... Read more

Product Description

In Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder: On Life As a Pioneer Woman, Laura tells her readers what it was like to be a pioneer in the early 1900s. Her stories and insights show us how difficult even the simplest chores or tasks were for the early pioneers, yet through it all she continued to see each situation as an adventure--as if she was truly blazing the trail for future generations.

Customer Reviews (2)

WONDERFUL ADDITION TO A WONDERFUL SERIES.This one needs to be added to your library.
This is the second offering in a three book series edited by Stephen W. Hines.As with the first offering, the editor has done a wonderful job.This little work includes quite a number of articles written by Laura Ingails Wilder over the years that appeared in a number of publications.In addition to writing the now famous Little House on the Prairie books, Mrs. Wilder was also a journalist for many years prior to the writing of these books she was most noted for. As stated, this is a small collection of her published articles and dwells on quite a number of subjects, the central theme being turn of the century farm life, women's issues at that time, working conditions and sound advice.The life of a pioneer woman was hard, no doubt, but it also had benefits which Laura Ingails is quick to point out.

I admit to being a big Wilder fan and have been for most of my life.We live just a few miles from Rocky Ridge Farm located in the Ozarks where Laura did all of her writing.I must say that she captured the attitude, landscape, economic realities, hardships, advantages and so much more of the area perfectly in her writing.As with her well know books, her writing style is quite smooth and captures the reader almost instantly whether she is talking about how to wash your face, raise a flock of chickens, or ingenious ways of producing running water in your home.

Through all of this work, the reader can sense the tremendous hard work that most small farmers and their wives went through before the arrival of electricity and the combustion engine.One gets the sense of how grateful Mrs. Wilder and her neighbors were of these labor saving devices.I noted that several articles featured cream separation machines as well as those that churned butter.These improvements alone must have seemed like miracles to these hard working farm ladies.Through all of this through; through the descriptions of hard labor and hard times, the author never once ceases to emphasis that life is good and to note and remind the reader of the good things that surround them and the superiority of country life compared to "city life."Always on the look out for ways to improve living conditions, culture and awareness, Laura passes these tips and observations on to her readers in a most wonderful and gentle way. Her respect for the land and the people shines through on every page.

This little book contains only 116 pages and includes several black and white photographs of the Wilder Place and it can be read in one or two short settings which is sort of a pity as the reader will be left with the feeling that they want more, so much more.

For a very pleasurable read and a glance into a past way of life that I fear (an am grateful for at the same time) we will never see again, the reader could do far worse.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Work work work!
Boy I was born in the wrong era. In the 1900's they didn't have TV, Nintendo etc. They worked super hard, but also got together and helped each other. I just wish I could have been a part of that time. This is my favorite author of all time. I loved Little House on the Prairie and these books with her thoughts in them will always be cherished. I think I will purchase a set for each of my girls and give them to them when they are a bit older. I think she has such profound wisdom, your life will only be blessed if you read these books. ... Read more

Product Description
Animal Adventures

In the unsettled West, Laura Ingalls and her family are surrounded by wild animals. From bears and deer to badgers and panthers, Laura always manages to fingd herself cought up in an animal adventure?

Customer Reviews (3)

Thank you. My stepdaughter loves it!
My stepdaughter loves her book. Thank you for sending it. It came just in time.

Great book for early independent readers
For anyone who has loved the "Little House" books, but maybe has a child who is not ready to read that much text yet, this book has all the excitement of the stories in an easier to read format.I purchased this book and hope to get a class set to read with second graders who are becoming fluent readers, but may not be willing to invest the time to read the thicker books until later.I plan on using it as a book club selection in school. This one has short chapters, each one of the animal stories Laura Ingalls related in some of her other books.

Excellent
This book was really great.I think that all Laura Ingall Wilder books are fantastic.I own 6 of my own and I truly love them, but out of all of them I think that this was the best one.Everyone is wonderful and I would suggest this book to anyone. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Pa's homestead thrives, Laura gets her first job in town, blackbirds eat the corn and oat crops, Mary goes to college, and Laura gets into trouble at school, but becomes a certified school teacher. ... Read more

Product Description
Tells the story of the Ingalls family from the Little House on the Prairie series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Rare Facts and Photos!
Although in a short, booklet format, this is one my favorite Little House resources because it contains many things you don't find in other bios. I especially love the pictures of Laura and Mary as children (it's neat comparing them to Garth William's illustrations)!

You will also love to learn what the future held for sisters Mary, Grace and Carrie.

I would wager this little booklet is essential addition to any Little House collection.

Good book
I enjoyed this booklet on the Ingalls family.There is always so much written about Laura.It was great hearing about Carrie and Grace, and their lives.It is interesting that Carrie had such a career in the newspaper business, then married in her 40's with an already made family!I think that Laura's sisters are pretty remarkable in their own right.It was great to hear about them.

Excellent supplemental reading for LIW fans
Although this book (really more like a booklet) isn't very long, it provides excellent details about the Ingalls family. Particularly interesting were the details on Carries life. While Laura was remarkable, in ways I think Carrie was even more so. She was a printer by trade and traveled the State of South Dakota working on different papers owned by a Mr. Senn. She also held down a homestead before finally marrying a mine owner who lived at the foot of Mount Rushmore.

It also contains some pictures of family members that I have never seen before (esp. of Charles and Carolines parents.) I highly recommend this book to Laura Ingalls Wilders fans and it is such an easy read that children will enjoy it.The only disappointing thing about the book is that it is so short.

Excellent supplemental reading for LIW fans
Although this book (really more like a booklet) isn't very long, it provides excellent details about the Ingalls family. Particularly interesting were the details on Carries life. While Laura was remarkable, in ways I think Carrie was even more so.She was a printer by trade and traveled the State of South Dakota working on different papers owned by a Mr. Senn. She also held down a homestead before finally marrying a mine owner who lived at the foot of the Black Hills.

It also contains some pictures of family members that I have never seen before (esp. of Charles and Carolines parents.)I highly recommend this book to Laura Ingalls Wilders fans and it is such an easy read that children will enjoy it.The only disappointing thing about the book is that it is so short. ... Read more

Product Description
Before Wilder found fame with her Little House books, she made a name for herself with short nonfiction pieces in magazines and newspapers. This volume collects essays that originally appeared in the Missouri Ruralist between 1911 and 1924. Building on the initial compilation entitled Little House in the Ozarks, this revised edition adds forty-two additional articles and restores passages previously omitted from others. Wilder advises women of her generation on such timeless issues as how to be an equal partner with their husbands, how to support the new freedoms they d won with the right to vote, and how to maintain important family values in their changing world. Yet she also discusses such practical matters as how to raise chickens and save time on household tasks. Hines s introduction places the essays in their biographical and historical context, showing how they present Wilder s unique perspective on life and politics during the World War I era while commenting on the challenges of surviving and thriving in the rustic Ozark hill country. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Book Never Received, Poor Customer Service
I really wanted this book, but I don't have it.The Amazon software played games with my order and decided to send two copies instead of the one I ordered.I notified Amazon immediately to stop the order but was told it was being sent and I could 1) pay the shipping to return the second copy, 2) or I could try to sell it myself on Amazon.What kind of respect does that show for a good customer?What an insult! I said I would reject the package at the post office, so Amazon sent it by UPS - I haven't had UPS deliver books from Amazon before, but the trick didn't work, I returned the package unopened at my local UPS office.Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite author, I'm very pleased to find her name in my family tree, but I don't have this book.I don't plan on having any Amazon books anymore. When a company is too large to care about a simple customer they have grown too large for my custom.

I Am the Editor of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist
I am certainly not going to review this book, which I edited for the University of Missouri Press. But I will say that this work collects writings of an adult Laura writing to other farm women in the state of Missouri. She was sort of a booster for the small-time farmer for the Missouri Rurlist newspaper, which still publishes. Her "voice" is different in these adult works from what one might expect, but the writer is the same Laura as the creator of the "Little House" books. People wishing to contact me may visit my website at www.literaryprospector.com.

Delightful reading for historians, fans of Little House, farmers, kids
I cannot help but pour forth great excitement and delight in a book I just picked up titled Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist, edited by Stephen Hines. Any American worth their salt knows Wilder as the author of the "Little House" books. I myself cut my book-reading teeth devouring these books time and time again, always dreaming of being a modern-day pioneer homesteader.

Before book-writing fame came to Wilder, she was known through the state of Missouri as a popular columnist in the Missouri Ruralist from 1911 to 1923. This book gathers nearly two hundred of these essays together for our profit. Ingalls wrote about home, agriculture, thrift, parenting, women's roles, etc., and gave readers an endless supply of pithy advice and personal anecdotes. She was Erma Bombeck, Will Rogers, Samuel Clemens, and Ben Franklin all rolled into one.

Ingalls' eyes were wide open to the advancements of the future, all the while seeking to keep her hands on the best of the "old ways". For example, in a clip called "Let's Revive the Old Amusements", she writes:
"Sometimes I wonder if telephones and motor cars are altogether blessings for country people. When my neighbor can call me up for a short visit over the phone, she is not so likely to make the necessary effort to come and spend the afternoon, and I get hungry for the sight of her face as well as the sound of her voice."

However, Ingalls was not a sentimentalist in regard to the past. She says:
"Love and service, with a belief in the future and expectation of better things in the tomorrow of the world is a good working philosophy; much better than, `in olden times-things were so much better when I was young.' For there is no turning back nor standing still; we must go forward, into the future, generation after generation toward the accomplishment of the ends that have been set for the human race."

Historians, fans of Little House, farmers, and children will all enjoy this book.

A singularly wonderful portrait of a beloved woman's wisdom
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist is a collection of nonfiction essays written by the famous author of the "Little House " books for The Missouri Ruralist between 1911 and 1924. Complementing and extending the earlier collection of articles titled Little House in the Ozarks, this edition includes an additional forty -two articles and additional material omitted from the earlier collection. Laura wrote her articles addressed to contemporary farm women, making many philosophical and practical suggestions and observations pertinent to their daily life experiences. Her presence as an author is unmistakable. Much of the information pertaining to her years of experience as a Missouri farm wife finds roots in her pioneer history. Her values emerge clear and solid from the minutiae of daily chore lists and how-to suggestions. Her refreshing voice lends its clarity across the generations of technological advancement and finds its niche comfortably. This is a carefully edited collection that will appeal to lovers of the "Little House" books and American turn -of -the- century history too. The skillful adaptation to changing social and political environments while nurturing a stable base of beliefs and values is unique to this beloved author. Highly recommended reading for adults.

Nancy Lorraine
Reviewer ... Read more

Product Description
Filled with archival photographs and amazing fact boxes, DK Biography is a groundbreaking series that introduces young readers to some of history's most interesting and influential characters.



Laura Ingalls Wilder pays tribute to the author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie series and the exciting pioneer childhood that was the inspiration for her books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Outstanding!
Wow!

The life of Laura Ingalls Wilder was amazing.What is more amazing is that her real life can and has been documented so fully.

This book is remarkable in that it provides detail that has been presented for a middle school to grade 10 level student.My daughter loves Little House, and this book captured her.As a father, I was surprised to find out that Rose's agent was involved with the Michael Landon series.

Highly recommended and profusely illustrated.

Great for the fan. ... Read more

Product Description

For the first time in the history of the Little House books, this new edition features Garth Williams’ interior art in vibrant, full color, as well as a beautifully redesigned cover.

Customer Reviews (35)

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
My girls,(5&7) love listening to these. Cherry Jones is an amazing actress who gives different vocal inflections for each person in the books.

I grew up reading this series, and am so glad I was able to introduce "Laura" to my girls through these CD's at such an early age!
We're planning on purchasing the entire set.

Laura as a townie teenager
First let me say that I read this in the full-color collector's edition, and it was lovely. Thick, glossy pages that could withstand much "love" and Garth Williams' lovely drawings enhanced with color. Very nice.

In Little Town on the Prairie, Laura is about 15 and the Ingalls family spends most of the narrative in the town of DeSmet, South Dakota. Laura has adapted to town life (compare her discomfort at being surrounded by strangers in By the Shores of Silver Lake) and is experiencing life as a young lady in frontier society in the 1880's. The period detail is rich and rewarding in this book, and in its own way, Little Town shows Laura struggling with the need to "fit in" with her peers, just as every teenager experiences today. For Laura, it's having a chance to select her own printed "name cards" and exchange them with her friends. ($0.25 for a dozen cards, a princely sum by Ingalls' standards). She also experiences a bit of evil glee at seeing the tables turned on Nellie Oleson, who is now the poor country girl. On the other hand, we see Laura work steadfastly at a hated job of sewing sleeves on men's shirts, because of her dedication to giving Mary a chance to attend college for the blind. She also dedicates herself to studying for a teacher's license so she can further supplement the family's income, and at the end of the book achieves her goal, via a lie of omission (something that Ma surely would have disapproved!).

In a remarkable section, Laura describes sewing an elegant winter dress for Mary to wear at college, and then casually tosses in that they made a hat to go with it! How on earth does one make a hat, and isn't it remarkable that Laura Ingalls Wilder didn't think hat-making merited any special mention?

We also see the intellectual side of Ma and Pa, as they go head-to-head in a fierce spelling bee competition. Pa is primarly a businessman in Little Town, which is a delightful contrast to his handyman skills that were so prominently on display in the earlier Little House volumes. Pa also delights in creating Literary Society productions for Friday nights in town. There is a queasy-making (by modern standards) chapter describing a blackface show, which may provoke some important discussions between parents and children. Ma is ever the conscientious molder of young women's behavior; it's a thankless job but someone has to do it.

Finally, Little Town is where Laura begins to be courted by Almanzo Wilder. He walks her home from the Literary Society several times, and gives her a sleighride behind his glorious team of horses. Tame stuff by modern standards, but Ma and Pa's tightlipped and cautious acceptance of this much-older man in Laura's life tells us everything we need to know.

my 2nd fav. by her
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder as an author.I think her books are interesting and well written.Her descriptions of events, places, people, and time periods cannot be beat and it draws you right in.

Enjoyable book
In the other books, Laura and her family were more isolated. Part of this was of course due to her youth, but as Laura moves into womanhood, she is able to enjoy and do more things, and be treated more as an adult, including getting jobs to help raise funds for her sister to go to a college for the blind. Town life is also emphasized here, as opposed to living in the big woods and the prairie. And lo and behold, here's Nellie Oleson again! Yes, really! And she has the same bratty attitude as well, which makes for some rather entertaining parts in this book. Overall a great book in the Little House series, if you've enjoyed the other books you will enjoy this one too. Enjoy!

breath of fresh air after that dreadful winter
Like many readers, I enjoyed watching Laura grow up: putting her hair up and letting her dresses down, attending her first boy-girl party, and house-sitting for a week while Ma and Pa saw Mary safely off to college. Laura had good work ethic, and academic diligence beyond most girls her age. She sacrificed much of her spare time to study hard enough to get teaching certification. Though she did not especially want to become a teacher, she was determined to earn money for Mary's college tuition. I liked Laura best when her fun or fiesty side showed itself. She couldn't help laughing her head off when two town drunks made a fairly innocuous scene in public, and she was playful at recess when the boys wanted to take the girls for sled rides. She fiercely stood up to her teacher (and sister-in-law in the future!) when that woman was mean to little sister Carrie. In Little Town, Laura also learned about the repercussions of gossip, and how to remain neutral but respectful when caught in the middle of others' conflicts. She experienced the excitement of literaries, potluck dinner fundraisers, and the attentions of the older handsome Almanzo. One of my favorite things about this book was the way in which Laura and Mary bonded during long walks. They talked about their sibling rivalry as kids. They were able to talk about Laura's resentment toward such a 'good' older sister, and Mary's secret enjoyment of her role and others' praise. For years, Mary did chide Laura for not being absolutely literal when she described things, but Laura's knack for metaphor and simile led HER to lay the foundations for these wonderful books. I think both girls did much growing during the final books of the series, Mary in capability and Laura in self-confidence. It was a joy to read about the entire family's changes, and about the excitement of living in a fast-growing town. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Granddaughter's favorite

My granddaughter's copy of this book was damaged by a leaking roof.She was very happy to get this book as she has all of the Little House books; the charm was an added bonus she loved.She is ten.

good but a bit overly childish
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder as an author.I think her books are interesting and well written.Her descriptions of events, places, people, and time periods cannot be beat and it draws you right in.

My Children are enjoying this book
My children are small, but I wanted to find a book that was a little more advanced for them that I could read to them before bedtime. We are all enjoying this book. There are a few things I need to explain to them that are false (for example celebration of Santa Claus and conduct/behavior on Sunday). Overall this is a light-hearted book that displays a love that a family has for each other. I am planning to read each book separately instead of purchasing the entire collection of books.

Classic Family Story of the Frontier
This is a classic that has been read by generations of readers. It is the beginning of Laura Ingalls Wilder's tales of frontier life. Set in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin in the 1870s, the story is told from the point of view of five-year-old Laura, the middle sister of three, who lives with her parents in a log cabin where her father earns his living as a trapper.

Wilder describes life in the 1870s in painstaking detail that keeps the story interesting without ever bogging down the pacing. The story takes the reader through a year in the life of the family, from the harvest and storing of food for the winter, through the Christmas celebrations, and the playful days of summer.

All of the family's work and play is described, with the occasional tall tale from Pa Ingalls, often told with a lesson in mind for the girls. The cycle of the year forms the structure and plot of the story, although the central conflict involves Laura's struggle with her jealous feelings toward her older sister.

There is humor and tenderness spread throughout the story, as well as a constant subtle tension as the reader is reminded of how fragile life on the frontier can be. The family has only themselves to rely on. Neighbors and relatives are distant, and the nearest town is far enough away that they only make one trip to town in a year. The story does not dance around the realities of hunting and raising animals for food. In fact, the first chapter is devoted mostly to the butchering of the family's hog.

Wilder's talent for description makes this an educational story, but her considerable skills as a storyteller give us characters that we care about as they live their lives in the Big Woods.

book, little house in the big woods
The book was great and my grandaughter loved it, but the neckless chain was broke inside the book.I had to go buy a new chain the day after christmas. ... Read more

Product Description
Gentle adaptations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's celebrated Little House stories have been gathered together here in two new titles in our Little House Chapter Book series.In Christmas Stories, join Laura and her family for some pioneer Christmas celebrations.Christmas on the frontier means visits from friends, good things to eat, and presents!For Laura, every Christmas in the little house is better than the one before.Laura and her friends share wonderful adventures in Little House Friends.From racing ponies with cousin Lena to bobsled rides with Cap Garland and the gang, Laura loves spending time with her friends.Even mean old Nellie Oleson can't spoil Laura's fun!With simple text, entertaining stories, and Renee Graef's beautiful black-and-white artwork, Little House Chapter Books are the perfect way to introduce beginning chapter-book readers to the world of Little House.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

thanks alotAtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
i have really enjoyed reading the books, they are very intering. it was hard to put down. thanks again.

Great early chapter book for K-2
My daughter received this last year for Christmas.It is a wonderful adaption of the Little House books.The stories are touching and emphasis in my mind how commercial christmas has become.

Outstanding book! Traditional!
I rate this book 5 stars out of 5.

This book is a "Chapter Book", and as such, is an adaptation/collection of Christmas scenes from the other books in the "Little House on the Prarie" series. The time of Christmas, especially in the past, was a joyous, at times quiet and spiritual, celebration. Unlike our modern times of going to Disneyland or loud parties, "Christmas Stories" reveals the simple but true pleasures of family gatherings and preparing meals together, or even the excitement of merely "trimming" the Christmas tree. This wondrous time of simple family life is brought out in revealing and heartwarming details from the viewpoint of a little girl progressively getting older as the chapters go by.

Don't get me wrong, not all was fun and celebrations. The book revealed hard times and hardship, but all faced by a family working together and trusting in God.

I especially recommend this book to parents longing to raise their kids with just a bit more traditional flavor than what our modern politically correct public schools would allow. A chapter a day, read to and discussed with your kids (elementary through middle school) a week before Christmas would do an awful lot to instill the heartwarming feeling of a cozy traditional family Christmas.

Blessings... TLam

Heartwarming and Traditional! Wonderful Book!
I rate this book 5 stars out of 5.

This book is a "Chapter Book", and as such, is an adaptation/collection of Christmas scenes from the other books in the "Little House on the Prarie" series. The time of Christmas, especially in the past, was a joyous, at times quiet and spiritual, celebration. Unlike our modern times of going to Disneyland or loud parties, "Christmas Stories" reveals the simple but true pleasures of family gatherings and preparing meals together, or even the excitement of merely "trimming" the Christmas tree. This wondrous time of simple family life is brought out in revealing and heartwarming details from the viewpoint of a little girl progressively getting older as the chapters go by.

Don't get me wrong, not all was fun and celebrations. The book revealed hard times and hardship, but all faced by a family working together and trusting in God.

I especially recommend this book to parents longing to raise their kids with just a bit more traditional flavor than what our modern politically correct public schools would allow. A chapter a day, read to and discussed with your kids (elementary through middle school) a week before Christmas would do an awful lot to instill the heartwarming feeling of a cozy traditional family Christmas.

Blessings... TLam

Christmas Stories" Adapted from the Little House Books
This is a collection of the chapters about Christmas in Laura Ingalls Wilder's books;Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prarie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, and By the Shores of Silver Lake.Thechronological sequence is easy to follow and whets the appetite for readingthe series.Excellent black and white illustrations in this historicalfamily book.Recommended for students from K through the 5th grades ... Read more

Product Description
Join the Ingalls family as they celebrate little Laura’s fifth birthday in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. There are special presents from everyone, and that night Laura falls asleep to the merry music of Pa’s fiddle. Renée Graef’s enchanting full-color illustrations, inspired by Garth Williams’s classic artwork, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life in our tenth My First Little House Book, adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved storybooks. It’s a Little House birthday to remember!

... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Beginner "Little House" books
Though there is nothing like the "big" Little House books, these soft books with beautiful pictures are a wonderful introduction to the series for toddlers.I bought this for an almost 3 year old and her mother said she was mesmerized and asked her to "read it again" as she got to the last page, something she hadn't done before, had preferred to get another book.My 4.5 year old grandson was enchanted with the 'farmer boy' book (can't remember the title) and the barn animals.

Do not hesitate, buy as many of these books as you can!

My 4 year old daughter loves this series!
The "My First Little House" books are fabulous!I started buying them for my daughter when she was 3, and she's almost 41/2 and still loves reading them.We have quite a few of these books now and I would eventually like to purchase the entire series.It was also a coincidence that we started reading them when we were on vacation in Wisconsin, so my daughter thought it was neat that Laura and Mary lived there and she was there too!

One funny thing (depending on your sense of humor) - I was explaining to my daughter that Laura and Mary lived a long time ago, so of course her next question was, "Are they dead now?" and this was a frequent topic of conversation for a while when we were reading the books!Not in a bad or morbid way, she was just curious.And we gave one of these books to my daughter's school class a a gift, and apparently one of the children in her class also commented on this!Just thought I'd mention it...

Good Book
I would have recommand this to every kids,it is excellent book to teach true history that is written by woman who lives in 1800s.

Grandma's Review
I bought this book for my grandaughter's 5th birthday as this book is about Laura's 5th birthday.The illustrations are really wonderful.We went to Walnut Grove, MN last summer and I had bought one of the other books from this series.Easy reading and not long (fewer words) for younger children.

My Daughter Loved It
I gave this book to my 3 yr old for her birthday and she really liked it.She has virtually all the First books. She loves the drawings and I like the no playing on Sunday part, my daughter and I have a discussioneverytime we read.I highly recommend this and other First Little HouseBooks for little ones. ... Read more

Product Description

Courage, Adventure, Steadfast Love

Customer Reviews (32)

Fact Vs. Fiction - Where Are The Citations?
I take issue with Zochert's ability to know the intricate details of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life in this book. The book reads oddly, somewhat like a biographical romance set in the wild west with too much flowery prose. My real question is, how did the author know (for example):

1) Cousin Lena (Shores of Silver Lake) was somewhat mentally abused by her stepfather, Hiram ("Uncle Hi")?
2) about the lawyer who wanted to take Laura to church, and felt rejected by her (Happy Golden Years)?
3) the Ingalls had difficulties with the man who rented them their home in Burr Oak?
4) Laura rode a horse while Almanzo drove the wagon to Missouri?
5) Pa was angered by Laura being threatened by Banker Ruth's bull? "And Pa was rarely angry."

How does Zochert know this?

The list could go on and on. Absent any citations - except a few newspaper quotes from the time that would have related certain details (weather conditions, births, deaths, and the like) - I wonder at the validity of anything the author claims about Wilder or her family other than what was already known (Carrie work as a printing-press operator, Mary went to the Iowa School for the Blind, etc.)

On another note, the cover is a riot. There's Michael Landon and the gang on the front, and on the reverse Laura looks like she's about to take Almanzo to the lake for more than a picnic. Change the cover.

If you are looking for flowery prose, here it is. If you are looking for biographical facts, I'm not so sure.

As the author mentions a Laura Ingalls Wilder "memoir" on more than one occasion, there must be something else out there besides her original copy of Pioneer Girl, which was subsequently turned into the Little House books. I have read the Pioneer Girl manuscript at the Hoover Library, and the flowery details are just not there.

If anyone else knows about a memoir, I'd love to hear about it.

Good book for what it is
Getting beyond the hideous cover (clearly based on the TV series and having NO relation to the real people), this book is interesting in the way it's written and its content.It's not a scholarly piece of work, it's designed to inform and entertain.Zochart admits as much in the beginning where he explains why he leaves out footnotes. He does note that he did do extensive research for the book; he must have, but the lack of any documentation is somewhat disconcerting.There's plenty of background information on the time Laura was a young girl which is the period I've always been most interested in.Burr Oak and Walnut Grove is covered in detail filling in that time that Laura leaves out of her series and there's a lot less on LIW's later years and her relationship with Rose.It's written in a breezy, somewhat romanticized style meant to pull on your heartstrings.I really enjoy the more academic books on LIW, but if you're a hard core fan, you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved at the very end of the book describing her last days, which were certainly embellished.I don't regret having this book as part of my collection.It gives another dimension to LIW that's just a little more fun and not as dry as the others out there - but take his information with a grain of salt!The photos are a great part of the book but I wish he had included more of them.

A Sucker Born Every Minute
This is so poorly written that I hate admitting I own it. From the back cover to the very end, Zochert creates a fantastic and shoddily researched book that's only redeemable feature is the pictures. It might go over well with the legions of Little House TV freaks (the picture on the cover looks like Little Joe Cartwright), but it is a definite dud for anyone who wants a literate biography.

The more one reads about Laura and Rose, the darker the picture of Laura becomes. I love her and the fantasy she's created, but when you start digging deeper, you find that Mama Bess was far from perfect. You really do feel sorry for Manly, and as he told his daughter, he had been a failure at most things in his life. I wonder who let him feel that way.

Willow

A Picture of a Lost Time
I found this book at a library book sale and, being a major fan of the Little House series, I picked it up (plus fifty cents is not a bad price for a used book).I'll admit, the author did use some purple prose & got a little overly goopy in his descriptions, but it's a good book.Mostly, though, it made me sad to realize that I will never have the chance to meet any of these people and will only be able to glimpse their rich & interesting lives through re-reading Laura's books.Life was very hard in those times & I was very saddened to read about the deat of Laura's son and her little brother.How a family with four daughters could end up with only one grandchild back in those days kind of amazes me, but it happens.The book was rich in lots of historical detail, including lots of info about periods of Laura's life that are not written about in her series.I can recommend it, but I dare you not to cry at the part where Pa dies!

Not a very credible biography
While this isn't a terrible biography, Zochert seems to confuse some of the facts with what he's seen on the television show.Even the cover shows characters drawn to look like the actors rather than the actual people.Check this one out of your local library and spend your money on the better book--Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder. ... Read more

Product Description
Laura helps Ma and Pa make the little log cabin snug and cozy for the snowy days ahead.

1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Great beginner book
As I said about the birthday book, these are a great way to start a toddler off on the whole 'big' book series of Little House books.Pictures are beautiful!

Great way to start a collection for your daughter or granddaughter
Doesn't everyone just love and remember "Little House on the Prairie" books?Since those chapter books were written way over 25 years ago there are now so many others to buy.This newer set is for the younger generation of little girls to read, collect and enjoy.I have already started a collection for my granddaughter.The colors pop off the page, the stories are short so they will sit though the reading of the book.The books are the stories we Grandmother's want to read to our little ones and Mother's would too.These have been around for a while, they come in paperbook now.You won't be disapppointed if you buy one because then you'll get hooked and won't the collection for that special little girl.

Unglued Binding
I love the story; however, I gave this book to my daughter as a Christmas gift and when she opened it the binding is unglued and the pages fell out of the cover.

Like it very well
We lucked onto this illustrated series of Little House books at the library -- I didn't even know they existed.This is a perfect way to bridge the gap for young readers who are past "early reader" books but not yet ready for a whole 14-chapter Little House book.

The illustrations mimic (intentionally) the Garth Williams illustrations in my childhood Little House series, which are the ones I've saved for my kids.

Great Intro to the full Little House series
This is an abridged adaptation that has the same feel as the original (I recognize some of the phrasing), with lovely illustrations that retain the feel of the original as well. My 3 1/2 year old loved it, and has wanted it read to her repeatedly. I look forward to getting her more of these until she is ready for the full books. ... Read more

Product Description
From helping others in times of need, to keeping and maintaining friendships, to having a positive attitude, Laura's words of wisdom in Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder: On Wisdom and Virtues are applicable even in today's world. As she shares stories and experiences from her own life, she encourages readers to live lives of integrity and to realize their dreams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

AMAZING LOOK AT THE PAST THROUGH THE EYES OF ONE OF THE GREAT!
This is the first of three books edited by Stephen W. Hines concerning and addressing Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House of the Prairie books.The books Wilder wrote numbered eight in total and were written when she was in her sixties.Many do not realize that before the now famous books were written that Mrs. Wilder was a journalist and wrote a column for The Missouri Ruralist for quite a number of years. This little book that is being reviewed is a collection of her writings taken from that publication.All these articles were written near the turn of the last century.

I feel that a very good argument could be made that Laura Ingalls Wilder was one of the most influential writers of the first half of the past century.Even if we discard the fact that one of the most popular television shows in history was based on her stories, we still are left with the fact that her eight books had a tremendous impact on the youth of this country during the time of their publication and far, far after.There are more than ten million copies of her books in print at this time with more being run off the press as each year passes.It would be quite difficult to find any school or library in this country that did not contain her work; indeed, it would be difficult to find many countries around the world that did not have them on their shelves.Thousands upon thousands of school children, year after year, cut their reading teeth on these eight little works.Ask just about any literate American who Laura Ingles is or was and they will be able to tell you.On the other hand, ask them to name five dead Russian authors, six dead English authors and twenty five French, and chances are slim if they can name half that many.Ask further what these literary greats actually wrote and I will promise you that you will receive a complete blank stare in the majority of cases.Go a step further and ask any of these people to give a brief outline of just one piece of the cumulative work of these "word giants,"and you will get a double blank look.Not so with Wilder's work!Folks, this is influence!

This collection of 35 short column offerings is an absolute gem.Wilder's simple and uncluttered syntax shines though and the reader is given a wonderful glimpse of what is to be created in the future.This is a collection of advice given to young readers. It is simple and to the point, yet each piece flows wonderfully. What is so fascinating about each bit of advice given is that is absolutely timeless.The right thing to do, the way to treat people and the realistic observations recorded here apply to now just as much as they did in the early 1900s.

Even though these words were written well over 100 years ago, they are still quite readable.I note that many young people have difficulty reading the wonderful Anne of Green Gables series due to the style in which it was written, i.e. very, very post Victorian.Not so with these little bits!Yes, you will note a different in the flow and a difference in the structure of some sentences, but overall Mrs. Wilder setting at your kitchen table using the same word forms and patterns would not at all be out of place in the here and now!

I enjoyed this work, not only because I am a big Wilder fan, but also because the editor, Stephen W. Hines did not muck around with her words and bore us to tears with "insightful" pontifications of his own.He let her work stand on its own merits and trusted the reader to come to their own conclusions.I found that to be quite refreshing.

This is almost a must read for Wilder fans.There are two more books in this series that I am into right now and they are just as well put together as this one is.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Brilliantly put!
Ms. Wilder has advice about everything, but most might not like it. I found this book very interesting and made me think quite a bit. One part, she said if you have a headache, if you focus on it, it will become worse. If you think about other things, it might go away. She had such brilliant words of wisdom, I can't wait to pass these on to my girls.

I am reading the second one, and hope to pick up the rest. ... Read more

Product Description
Presents a brief look at the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Quick, Informative
This is a biography about Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of "Little House" books. It is written for the beginning reader with pictures every other page but still contains some interesting facts. The main point is to work hard. I was surprised to learn that it was her daughter who got her to write down stories from her life. Quick read--only takes five minutes!

--Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" ... Read more

Product Description
More than 100 recipes introduce the foods and cooking of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s pioneer childhood, chronicled in her classic Little House books.

Notable Children’s Books of 1979 (ALA)
Best Books of 1979 (SLJ)
Notable 1979 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1979 (Library of Congress)
1980 Western Heritage Award

Customer Reviews (40)

Interesting but not practical
The Little House Cookbook is no doubt accurate to what was eaten in those days, but many of the recipes have ingredients that aren't easy to obtain. Most of the food doesn't sound that great and is no doubt unhealthy, though I enjoyed reading it for it's historical value.

Not just a fabulous cookbook - an indispensable historical text
My 6-year-old daughter and I are reading through the Little House series, and I gave her this cookbook for her birthday.Just this weekend she and I, along with my husband and our almost two-year-old, had our first "Prairie Day" - we used no electricity (aside from our stove, as we have no fireplace), and cooked only recipes from this book.
Breakfast:codfish balls, biscuits, homemade butter (we LOVED preparing this the day before, and the buttermilk left over contributed to our biscuits), and tea/milk.I soaked the salt cod in the fridge for 2 days to ensure proper re-hydration.The codfish balls, despite my misgivings, were tasty and light.I couldn't bring myself to use lard - any recipe suggesting lard did just fine with shortening.My usually picky daughter LOVED the codfish balls.They're basically like fish and chips combined, in little bites. I will make this again, but use fresh ocean white-fish (since I can!).
Lunch:sausages, lettuce with vinegar and sugar, homemade bread and butter, and lemonade, and apple turnovers.Simply delicious!I give the author total credit for the success of the bread (which I baked in advance), as her clear instructions helped me through the difficult task.
Candle-lit Supper:Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and peas, with custard pie for dessert.The only recipe that I wouldn't repeat is the fried chicken - Paula Deen's recipe is so much better, and practically authentic.This recipe really did require oven finishing, which turned the chicken from crispy to soggy. The pie was amazing, and I am no baker!
We can't wait until winter to do our next Prairie Day and attempt more recipes.I read this and prepared for a week in advance, and I learned tons about history and cookery.Praises to the author for her obviously hard work!
P.S. I'm a violinist, and the plan was to enjoy some fiddle music before bed.I was EXHAUSTED by supper's end, and the music and dance never happened.And I didn't even do any laundry that day!!

Little House Cookbook
This is a great "old-time" recipe book. I also enjoyed the excerpts from the original Little House on the Prairie show. If you love Little House on the Prairie and cooking the old fashioned way then ths is a cookbook for you!

Thoroughly enjoyed it!
This was so much fun to read, i almost felt like i was right there with Laura and her family at the dinner table!
It was also interesting to see the differences in cuisine type between Laura and Almonzo.
I wouldn't cook anything out of it because eating salt pork and lard does nothing for me or my health, but i couldn't wait to go to bed at night and read it, I wish there was a sequel.

Wonderful addition to the series
My only issue with the book is how it's printed and bound because I prefer cookbooks on better quality paper with a binding that can handle use in the kitchen. That said, it wasn't enough to make it 4 stars. Maybe 4.5, I rounded up.
The recipes are well laid out with a lot of history. It makes an excellent tool of discussion and education with students who are reading the series or families who enjoy watching re-runs of the tv show.
Some of the recipes don't adapt well to things you can easily get at the supermarket, but just reading those recipes is fun and modern cooks will find the difference in technique and ingredients very interesting. We are so used to being able to get so many alternative ingredients, to having 50 kinds of oil to choose from at the grocery store, that just the use of salt pork or bacon in so many common dishes is a good conversation. Being able to discuss cooking methods, economical measures, and working with what was available are all good things to explore with your children.
I got it as a way of encouraging my daughter to read the original series. It's hard getting her interested in novels sometimes, but she loves cookbooks and historical recipes. Using it that way has worked, she's been slowly going through the series and enjoying it.
Highly recommended for fans of the show or the books obviously, but also a good resource for people who enjoy reenacting history. Many of the recipes are accurate for the Civil War Era. ... Read more

Product Description
9 books. Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By The Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Litte Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years. Books are tagged: J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J31. ... Read more

Product Description
Before writing her Little House series, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote articles and weekly columns for a newspaper in Mansfield, Mo. In Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom, artist Yvonne Pope has collected quotes from these early writings. The quotes convey Laura's homespun wisdom and witty personality that made her beloved by all who have read her work.

These heartwarming quotes are paired with Yvonne's own beautifully colorful pen and ink drawings that compliment Laura's whimsical and spirited personality. Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom is a must for anyone who grew up reading the Little House series but is also for anyone searching for inspiration from a woman who knew a few things about the importance of family, friends, and values.

Laura's spirit is revealed through her own words:

" We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts.

" No one ever achieved anything from the smallest object to the greatest unless the dream was dreamed first. ... Read more