Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Story, but Too Brief...Whispering Parts Too Quiet to Hear
The first of the Laura Ingalls Wilder "Little House" audiobooks I listened to was "On the Banks O Plum Creek", which I liked alot.

"The First Four Years" audiobook I also enjoyed hearing.However, it does have one or two minor flaws.

The first problem is that when the reader gets to a part where the characters are whispering, her voice gets so quiet that I cannot hear it.If I turn up the volume, I get blasted by the LOUD voice of the reader, when the whispering part ends.

Solution: read the whispering parts in a LOUD whisper, CLOSE UP to the microphone.This technique works well, as I have heard it on other audiobooks.

The second minor problem with this audiobook is its length.The outside of the case says, "3 CDs, 3 Hours".

But the first, second, and third CDs are 1.08.22, 39.37, and 38.33 respectively.This adds up to 2.26.12 or somewhat less than 2-1/2 hours.

This exaggeration misled me.If I had known how brief this audiobook really is, I would have probably chosen to purchase a longer Little House Series audiobook instead.

When I bought "On the Banks of Plum Creek" for my local public library several years ago, it cost $22.Now in 2010, "The First Four Years" was $26 ($25.95 to be exact), which I feel is a bit overpriced for such a short audiobook, especially since the deceptive time duration printed on the CD case left me feeling uncomfortably like I was hoodwinked.

NOTE; I have just noticed amazon.com can sell me the same audiobook at a discount.Live and Learn: I will certainly come here first, next time!

Summary: The audiobook itself is still a pretty good story.I expect others will enjy it as much as I did.Except for the inaudible whispering, the only thing I would change about it would be to correct the inaccurate timing written on the CD case.

To put it another way, I only wish it were longer....and that is actually a compliment.

Good reading of Little House Book
This is another good reading of a Little House book by Cherry Jones. ... Read more

Product Description
Laura Ingalls Wilder's nine original Little House books have been read and cherished by millions of readers.Gentle adaptations of these celebrated stories have been gathered together here in a brand new series of Little House Chapter Books.With simple captivating text and Renée Graef's breath-taking artwork created in the style of Garth Williams, Little House Chapter Books are the perfect way to introduce beginning chapter book readers to the exciting world of Little House. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Jack The Faithful!
The Adventures of Laura and Jack by Laura Ingalls Wilder- a book cobbled together of stories of Jack the Dog, culled from the the rest of the Little House books.

Jack was a faithful friend to Laura- and the rest of the Ingalls'- as well as a courageous guard dog, something much needed for pioneer life!

In this book, Jack follows the Ingalls' from the Big Woods on to Kansas where he almost drowns while fording a river. But he's made of stronger stuff, as Laura soon discovers, when he makes his way back to the Ingalls'- who thought for sure he was lost to them. Later we see his loyalty proven time and again as he stays with the women while Pa makes his necessary trips and even read of Jack's skill as a farm hand as he helps Laura round up the scattered cattle time and again.

As an adult who read the Little House series as a youngster, I enjoyed returning to Laura Ingalls Wilder's prose. Simple words, simple stories- but so full of warmth. Strange how her books are as comforting to me now as they were back then.

A sweet little book, I'm sure any kid would love to have read to them- or to read themselves!

Laura and Jack, The Best Book Ever!
The book is very interesting because it showed me what it was like back in the 1800s.There are a lot of great characters in this book.Their dog Jack has nice colors and he really listens to his owners.Laura takes good care of her dog Jack and she listens to her parents very well.I like how Laura and Jack play in the woods together.Laura and Jack are best friends.Ma takes good care of her kids and she showed her family how to make food.Pa plows the fields and he makes the money.The whole family works together.At the end of the book, the family finds a cozy home to live in.

A terrific book
I read this book when I was nine or ten.Now I'm reading the Little House novels.But I still remember how much I loved the chapter books, especially this one.It tells about Laura Ingalls and her adventures with her dog, Jack.I got really sad when the family lost Jack while crossing a river on their way to Kansas, and they thought he had died.But I loved when that night, an animal came to where the Ingalls were.It had bright eyes, and they thought it was a wolf!It turned out that the "wolf" was Jack!He hadn't died after all!The book told of lots of other adventures Laura had with Jack.I recommend this book to girls seven to ten.If you read this book, I know you'll enjoy it.

Adventures Of Laura & Jack
This book is very, very interesting.My seven year old daughter loved this book.The book is about the dfferent homesteads that Laura and her family had lived and the adventures of not only Laura's, but Jack, her bulldog, as well.This book is bound to keep any child on the edge of their sits with the dangerous experiences that Laura and Jack and her family face.The reader of this book with experience many different emotions from being happy to tears of sadness.I recommend this book to all children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Little House in the Ozarks
This book was selected as a "book club" book.I found it to be a charming collection of short stories or articles; a very easy book to read if you only have 10 minutes between tasks; surprising correlations between life then and now.The discussions that followed were fun, and left most of us feeling really good.Highly recommended.

Great
I received this book as a gift when I was fourteen, but have only begun to appreciate it as an adult.Organized by subject, this is a wonderful look into Laura Ingalls Wilder as an adult.Contains many anecdotes from her life that provide that window.Definately worth the time of anyone wanting a closer look into Laura's home life, as well as her political views. ... Read more

Product Description

An exploration of classic heroines and their equally admirable authors, The Heroine's Bookshelf shows today's women how to tap into their inner strengths and live life with intelligence and grace.

Customer Reviews (15)

Fascinating and inspirational
I LOVED The Heroine's Bookshelf. The discussions of the books themselves (most of which I'd read and loved as a kid - but I'll definitely be checking out all the others I hadn't read yet!) and of their authors' lives were fascinating, thought-provoking, and genuinely empowering to read. I can't wait to re-read it many times, especially any time I need a jolt of inspiration and comfort. By the time I'd finished reading, I had a mental list of all the women I wanted to give it to as a gift, including almost all my female friends and relatives! HUGELY recommended.

Like having a good friend with you on your literary journey
This book is a quick, great read. And also, this book is great to reread. And then read again. It really makes me want to read the books mentioned in a new and fresh frame (or for the first time), but I want to have it with me as a companion even for that journey. I expected nothing less than a brilliant book that is both comforting and inspiring, and I am so glad that it has gone far beyond expectations.

I've gotten bad about reading, with the internet and life and all my other distractions, I hardly ever crack a book anymore. This book has rekindled my affection for my old literary friends and has reminded me of the value of escaping to the world of books.

I've taken to bringing the book with me most places I go. It's small and light, so it fits easily in my purse. And as I am sitting at my favorite cafe I'll read a chapter or two. I took it with me to the spa for a day of relaxation and rest and indulgence, and it is just the right balance of easy read and interesting ideas to help pass the time.

Delightfully nostalgic and enlightening!
Behind every unforgettable heroine stands her remarkable creator. Debut author Erin Blakemore explores this theme in THE HEROINE'S BOOKSHELF, twelve essays devoted to her favorite literary heroines and the unique correlation between their writer's life and the character she created. From Jane Austen's spirited impertinence of Elizabeth Bennet, to the effervescent optimism of Lucy Maude Montgomery's Anne Shirley, to the dogged determination of Margaret Mitchell's Scarlet O'Hara, anyone who has ever sought solace in the pages of a classic novel or inspiration for new perspective during troubling times will be enthralled by every essay in this book.

Literature is comfort food for me and there is something inherently reassuring about reconnecting again with the books that we read for the first time during our childhood and early adult years. Blakemore and I share this affinity which she elaborates upon in her introduction.

"Call me a coward if you will, but when the lines between duty and sanity blur, you can usually find me curled up with a battered book, reading as if my mental health depended on it. And it does, for inside the books I love I find food, respite, escape, and perspective. I find something else too: heroines and authors, hundreds of them, women whose real and fictitious lives have covered the terrain I too must tread."

The twelve heroines and their authors she chose to evaluate and share with us are several of my favorite too. Some fight physical hardships, poverty and hatred, snobbery and prejudice and emotional insecurities, and others the foibles and follies of human nature. Each is memorable to me because they faced struggles and challenges, confronted them boldly and creatively, and emerged victorious; a stronger and better person for their endeavor. Just their names alone: Scout Finch, Jane Eyre, Francine Nolan, Mary Lennox, Jo Marsh and Laura Ingalls evoke nostalgia, sending me in an instant to a faraway happy place of comfort, adventure and romance. In addition to revisiting my favorite heroines, my pleasure was heightened by knowledge of their author's lives that I had not previously known, giving me a deeper understanding and respect for each of the heroines and their creators.

Besides blogging about Jane Austen, I am a bookseller at Barnes & Noble. Occasionally, when a book just bowls me over like THE HEROINE'S BOOKSHELF, I select it as my staff rec and talk it up amongst my fellow booksellers. A group of us were seated in the break room yesterday afternoon; ladies who are passionate about reading and love classic literature. As I lifted up the cover and firmly told everyone that this book is a must read, I proceeded to list all of the twelve heroine's discussed. The ooo's, ahh's and immediate enthusiastic chatter that erupted sent shivers up the back of my neck. Just the mention of each heroine's name sparked such vivid and happy memories. Everyone had their favorite heroine and a personal story to go with it. It was like a drug, a literary endorphin rush! I asked who wanted to read my copy next and a unanimous reply of "me" resounded like the joyous hallelujah chorus in Handle's Messiah! Sweet music for a passionate reader, joyous bookseller, and dedicated book blogger.

THE HEROINE'S BOOKSHELF is a frothy literary latte; rich and sweet and deeply satisfying. Beautifully designed, it will make the perfect gift for the literature lover in your family or circle of friends. I wholeheartedly praise it to the skies and recommend it to all who wish to become the heroine of their own life.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

enjoyable survey of literature's heroic figures
Author Erin Blakemore is a marketing strategist who reads; she also has a sense of humor and is a fine writer.Presented as "life lessons", each chapter is constrained by one concept and one character as Blakemore expertly weaves each author's autobiography into the relevance of that character to our lives today.

Chapters are:

Self ... Lizzy Bennett in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Faith ...Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Thurston
Happiness ... Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Dignity ...Celie in The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Family Ties ...Francie Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Indulgence ...Claudine in Colette's Claudine novels
Fight ...Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Compassion ...Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Simplicity ...Laura Ingalls inLittle House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Steadfastness ...Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Ambition ...Jo March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Magic ...Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Each chapter concludes with three humorous "you should read this when" instances, and three literary "sisters".The author has chosen twelve admirable heroines, and I would love to read about more.The stories of the authors' lives are compelling and the case for relevance to our modern lives is made.I liked the format and the content, enjoying both the chapters on those authors I was familiar with, and adding to my list of "books to read" on the ones I didn't.The Introduction and Epilogue are interesting as well.

Very well done.

Great little book for female lit lovers of all ages!
I really loved this little book!Author (and reader)Erin Blakemore examines some of the greatest female characters in literature and their creators as well in an engaging and spot on way in this lively little book.Chapters are titled after the concept Blakemore feels the characters portray and she identifies them with most strongly (ie Jo March,/Louisa May Alcott, "Ambition").Each chapter is a truly a gem, an honest portrait of the authoress and her "offspring", and each chapter gives appropriate, recommended reading as well, which is wonderful and thoughtful.

A reader can quickly read the whole book, or read each chapter on its own in conjunction with reading the books referred to.This book would be a wonderful gift to any female reader, aged 12 and up, and would be great for book groups too, or as a jumping off point for mothers and daughters to discuss their favorite literature together.I was especially fond of the Margaret Mitchell, Harper Lee and Betty Smith chapters, although many of my favorite books were mentioned.Blakemore delves into the lives of the authors to connect them with their stories quite expertly:Bronte's struggles with illness, death and poverty in her family, Alcott's unhappy writing process, Harper Lee's noble attempt to pay homage to her special father, etc.These are stories you already love, but you'll want to revisit again soon after reading this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Published in 1939 - By the Shores of Silver Lake covers the period from 1879-1880 when she was 12-13. ... Read more

Product Description

Laura Ingalls Wilder's fans know her best as "half-pint," America's spirited pioneer girl who wrote about her childhood growing up on the prairie in the late 1800s.

Now noted Wilder historian William Anderson takes us beyond the Little House books and tells us about the real events that inspired Laura's stories, like the time that thousands of grasshoppers ate the Ingallses' crops. He also includes the experiences that Laura did not write about, such as the two years the family spent in Burr Oak, Iowa, running a hotel. Readers will also learn about the life Laura led with her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, after the Little House books end.

Renée Graef's detailed artwork beautifully illustrates this engaging, accessible biography of one of America's favorite authors.

Customer Reviews (1)

Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite author and inspiration
I love the Little House On The Prairie series,and Laura Ingalls Wilder so much. Little House On The Prairie is my favorite book and tv series,and Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite author. I love how this book is very informative,and has alot about Laura Ingalls real life growing up during the pioneer times on the prairie. It includes illustrations of bits of her life,talks about her life that she wrote about and didn't write about in her Little House series of books. The author knows alot about where Laura lived and alot about her life,and where she grew up. This book is a pleaser for any of us Little House fans,and we should all own it. Laura Ingalls and Little House On The Prairie will always be the best and number one for me forever. I give this five stars for all the information about Laura in this book,and the cover is amazing with a real picture of Laura Ingalls Wilder in a locket. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Stretching Laura's Writings Out Further To Get Even More Stories
First, the title line above says these books are by Laura Ingalls Wilder and T.L. Tedrow. Mr Tedrow gives no credit to Mrs. Wilder "as author" here. This is a boxed set of four paperbacks by T.L.Tedrow. In the foreword, he tells how he has taken writings of hers and added fiction to them, therefore, extending those works of hers into yet,another set of stories for us all to enjoy.
In book one, Missouri Homestead, Mr. Tedrow tells of the struggles and heartaches that Laura and her husband, Manly, and daughter, Rose, leave behind in South Dakota, when they travel the hundreds of miles by covered wagon to Missouri to live. He goes into great detail of the hard times fallen upon them.
In book two, Children of Promise, we learn of the campaign of Laura to get the children of Mansfield, Missouri, out of the fields and into the classroom. At times, most of farming community turn against them and Manly fears for her life. We meet new characters that will follow into the other books.
In book three, Good Neighbors, Mr. Tedrow shows us how severe the winters were back then. People of the community are wondering where their next meal will come from and if their livestockwill make it another day through the extreme cold and many feet of snow. Laura worries as her daughter, Rose, is coming home from college to join her parents for Thanksgiving. While Rose's train gets snowed in, Laura is becoming a midwife for the first time on a very difficult delivery.
In book four, Home to the Prairie, the author tells us of Pa Ingalls coming for a visit to Mansfield, Missouri to see his beloved "Half Pint". He has left Ma Ingalls behind, as her health is failing and wants Laura to come with him to Kansas to Indian Territory, to see one more time, their old homestead they left behind years ago.
The characters you meet are described so well, that when you get to the next book, you still remember them. They're like family now. There is comedy. There is sadness. I cry at movies, however, I don't remember ever crying to a book! In Home to the Prairie, when Pa and Laura are at the homestead remains, remembering the good times, I couldn't help but remembering having to go and clean out my parents house and the memories that came flooding back to me then. Just like Laura..going home is somewhat satisfying, but comes with many, many heartaches.
Mr. Tedrow, tells you up front that these "novels" have only taken some of Laura Ingalls Wilder's works and added fiction to, sort of take her stories further, therefore, giving us, yet another, set of stories we can read and enjoy.
In closing, if you can't get enough of Laura Ingalls Wilder's writing, you will enjoy these books. After I finished the fourth book, I could hardly wait till the next day to get online and order the next set of books 5 thru 8! Please use that as your guideline...if you enjoy "Laura", you will enjoy "The Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder" by T.L Tedrow.

Awful, awful, awful, and more awful
When I saw my public library throwing away these books, I couldn't believe it and I bought them for a dime each."Laura Ingalls Wilder" books, I thought.No.Not even close.After having read Tedrow's work, I can see why the library threw them out.These "days of Laura Ingalls Wilder" books not only tell us nothing accurate about Laura Ingalls Wilder, but also lay forth inaccuracies of her time period.This is not historical fiction; there is nothing historical about these.I would hope the estates of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane would stop this man from using the Wilder family for his fodder.Tedrow should be ashamed of himself. ... Read more

Product Description

Long ago, a little girl named Laura Ingalls lived in a little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters, Mary and Carrie, and their good old bulldog, Jack. Winter was just around the corner, and Laura worked hard to help make the little house ready for the cold days ahead. Soon there was frost on the windows and snow on the ground, but Laura and her folks were warm and cozy in their snug little house in the Big Woods.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers. Now for the first time, the youngest readers can share her adventures in these very special picture books adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved storybooks. Renée Graef's warm paintings, inspired by Garth Williams' classic Little House illustrations, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life.

Customer Reviews (17)

The "My First Little House Series" is fantastic!
I absolutely love the "My First Little House" series of books. The abbreviated text and beautiful illustrations are a good introduction to the Little House series for children aged 3-7 years old. As an adult, I still enjoy the Little House series, so I was thrilled to find the "My First Little House" books to share with my preschool students. They are amazed to learn things about times gone by, like how the family churned butter or how they went places by horse and buggy or that the children only got one pair of shoes a year. This is a really fun and easy way to introduce history to young children.

Beginner's Little House books
This series of Little House books are perfect for the toddler and primary grade listeners.The illlustrations are captivating and in the style of Garth Williams and the text is simplified but true to the actual books.I am a literacy tutor and have found the original series perfect for introducing chapters and minimal illustrations.My second grader needed a little more picture and simpler text to become acquainted with the settings and characters.This series does the job splendidly.She is getting ready to begin LIttle House in the Big Woods in the new year.

Simple Gifts
This is a great book for reminding children of simpler times. Laura and her family celebrate Christmas with the bare minimum available to them, but with such joy, it can make even children wish for that kind of life.

Adorable introduction to the real thing
I have to laugh at those reviewers who seem so offended by these books!Have you actually read the originals?!These books simply take small exerpts from the originals and simplify them for a younger audience.I too absolutely loved the original books and still do.But I'm not going to be able to read them to my 3 year old without her losing interest.Therefore, I share these shorter versions with her and she loves them.When she's older (the originals are recommended for 8-12 year olds) I'll give her the originals.In the meantime these are fabulous and I very much doubt Laura Ingalls Wilder would take offense to them.Seriously, calm down!!

I really like it!
My favorite character is Laura.These are all great books.I have read almost all of them.I just need one more.I really REALLY like the books.
--Elora ... Read more

Product Description
"I understand that in my own life, I represented a whole period of American history."

As Laura Ingalls Wilder realized they would, her widely loved stories of her prairie childhood have become much more than a nostalgic blend of myth, memories, and autobiography. Historically, John Miller reveals, they have much to tell us about the realities of day-to-day living and attitudes in the nineteenth century.

History and literature are closely intertwined, Miller contends, and in this book he illustrates how Wilder's novels enhance our understanding of history and how, simultaneously, a historical perspective framed Wilder's fiction. Wilder, he shows, interwove content and form to produce a sentimental and compelling, yet nuanced and believable, picture of family life on the agricultural frontier.

Focusing on Wilder's novels set in and around De Smet, South Dakota, which include By the Shores of Silver Lake and Little Town on the Prairie, Miller compares her fictional world to history recorded in census figures, newspaper accounts, county records, maps, and photographs. He illustrates that, although Wilder sacrificed some historical details for simplicity and drama, she preserved a general accuracy of people, places, events, and customs and depicted many facets of late nineteenth-century life, from food and entertainment to work ethics and education.

Miller also addresses the controversy over the authorship of the eight novels attributed to Wilder--was she the true author or were they ghostwritten by her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane? He contends that while Lane's editorial contribution was of great value, the voice in the book belongs to Wilder. The books are filled with her interpretations of the truth as influenced by the time period in which she grew up and the culture--the institutions, gossip, informal community pressure, media, stories, songs, roles, and stereotypes--that surrounded her.

Providing a glimpse of prairie life through the eyes of a young girl, Wilder's novels are as historically valid as their nonfiction cousins, Miller argues. Hers is a lived history--a sometimes romantic, sometimes observational account of the joys and frustrations of life on the prairie and a reflection of the westward movement in its prime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Dr. Miller's Little Town
I expected this book to be of the same quality as Miller's biography of Laura "Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder," which is a first rate work. Unfortunately, this book is substantially inferior in every way.

Thisbook purports to be a history of De Smet as it was when Laura grew up, butis instead a hodge podge of essays ranging from Charles Pierce's theoriesto the paintings of Harvey Dunn. So instead of learning about De Smet, wehave the privilege of learning how educated and erudite the author is.Instead of learning about the town and its characters, we are regaled withthe author's theories of how the plow broke the plains.

Occasionallythere are nuggets of new information about De Smet, and about some of thecharacters who appear in Laura's book or were known to her when she livedthere. But these nuggets tend to be heavily wrapped in Miller's academicjargon and theories. Evidently, there is not much to be said about anysmall town, even De Smet, so you have to talk about others things that youconveniently already happen to know: "Place and Community (and De Smet),""Freedom and Control (and De Smet)," "Fact and Interpretation (and DeSmet)," and so on and on.

"Dreary" and "boring" are adjectives Milleruses more than once to describe life on the prairie: those same adjectivesapply in spades to this book. It is very difficult to get through, so buyit and read it only if you're into self flagellation.

Very historical and scholarly
This book looks at various historical aspects of the world Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about, and focuses especially on one of her books, Little Town on the Prairie, and on the town of De Smet, SD.I found it veryinteresting finding out more about the town that was the focus of Wilder'slater books.This book is done as a series of essays, and at times repeatsinformation from one essay to the next.However, it is well written andobviously very well researched, and adult fans of Wilder who want to findout more about her and more especially the larger world and time she livedin will enjoy this book.

This book talks about the history surrounding LIW's life
I think this book is very interesting and very informative. I am a huge LIW fan and I think that anyfan of her books would definately enjoy this biography on her life.

I also believe that anyone who doesn't believethat she really exsited should also read this book as well. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The illustrations save this one.
Laura Ingalls Wilder has a fascinating life story, full of action, purpose, and suspense.Unfortunately, this biography does not do her justice -- it is pretty blah.

But the illustrations.Oh!I love the illustrations.Big, detailed, gorgeous illustrations.So... as far as I'm concerned, we hang onto this book for the illustrations and read the Little House books.

Hint: Even boys like the Little House books -- there is plenty of Indian adventure and pioneer work to satisfy them!

PioneerGirl
Hello my name is Evan. I have been reading Pioneer Girl and so far I like it because I like history books. I would like toread more books about her.

Synopsis of Laura's whole life and a picture of Pioneer Days
This picture book is a compacted synopsis of the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, from her birth in 1867 to her death in 1957 at age 90. Children who are familiar with some or all of Laura's stories (or the TV show) will delight in hearing of her entire life. I have yet to meet a child who does not delight in Laura's life and stories. Even if a child has read the Little House series of books, there is something new to learn here as her life continued beyond what we know from the Little House series.

If a child has never heard of Laura before, I suspect that they may not be very interested in this book because the challenge of cramming a biography covering 90 years of a person's life within the publishing industry standard of a 32 page picture book, has hindered the author's ability to present many captivating stories and interesting details about her life. They may also not "get" the interest in her life (in particular) and perhaps may view this more as a story of "just" a life of a pioneer girl in more of a historical context of hearing what life was like in America back then. There is much to learn about "just" the Pioneer Days aspect of this book, though. (Although my wish is that all children would read and know the wonderful stories contained in the Little House series.) The book doesn't really capture the unique and endearing qualities of Laura's personality and it is not a funny book. The text sometimes seems to rush through her life seeming to mostly focus on why they decided to move to a new place and what they liked there and then repeating the format through her many moves. (Those of us who already know these basics about her life won't see a problem with this, it will then be seen as more of a nice synopsis and summary of her life.)

There is a greater amount of text per page than in most picture books; perhaps explaining why the publisher has determined this is for a 9-12 age range. However, the font size is quite large and the language and information is so watered down that a 3 or 4 year old could understand it. What suffers here is the illustrations. The illustrations sometimes are of a more boring scene in the opposing page than could have been chosen. For example one page shows Laura and Mary doing homework at the kitchen table and while that is a part of the opposing pages' text, so is the more dramatic story of a terrible blizzard, which forced the family and other families to live together in the town building. While the people were starving, two boys (one being Almonzo Wilder) risked their lives by braving the storm to get food for everyone, not only surviving themselves but saving the lives of the townspeople. It seems to me that this exciting story would have made a better illustration.

As a read aloud, my two boys aged three and five sat quietly to listen to this story, they are familiar with the Little House chapter books and with the reruns of the TV show from the 1970s. They both enjoyed this story, as did I. If you want more details of Laura's life I advise you to read the entire Little House series of chapter books. I feel that children as young as 2.5 or 3 enjoy that series of books as a read-aloud. There are also books on the market that discuss Laura and her daughter Rose's life in much more detail if you are interested. There are also craft books and cookbooks as a companion to the Little House series.

I appreciated the author's focus on trying to capture what life was like in Pioneer days. The author did a great job at expressing the hardships of life and really appreciating how much physical hard work must be done to survive. He portrayed the hopes and dreams of Laura's father, why they wanted to move to a certain place, why they had to move on, etc. There were always good reasons for doing a certain thing. The strong family bond is very apparent and their love for each other is very clear, for example, when Laura was 15 and working as a teacher and lived away from her family she missed them and was happy to come home on weekends to be with them. Laura's adult life was full of change and adapting, and both she and Almonzo's commitment to do hard work in order to survive is expressed. ...

This book summarizes Laura's life, explains the values and commitment they all shared, and expresses the difficulty of life in Pioneer Days. It is interesting for both Laura-fans and for anyone interested in learning about life in the American Pioneer Days.

Beautiful Book!
This really is an outstanding and quite beautiful picture book!I never really read the Little House books as a kid.But I'm inclined to now.This IS a great prelude to those books.Incredible illustrations!

Beautifully-written and beautifully-illustrated story of LIW
Bill Anderson has done a wonderful job of telling the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder that can be read and enjoyed by both children and adults.Dan Andreason's illustrations are absolutely beautiful and complement Anderson's story very well. ... Read more

Product Description
Make the same pioneer crafts that Laura did! In her beloved Little House books, Laura Ingalls Wilder tells of her pioneer childhood growing up on the frontier. Because the Ingallses often lived far away from any stores, and because they had little money, Laura and her family had to make most of their own household items, using whatever materials were available. Now, with MY LITTLE HOUSE CRAFTS BOOK, you can share a part of Laura's pioneer days by learning how to make the same things that she and her family made for their little homes on the frontier. Inside this book are easy, step-by-step instructions for 18 crafts taken straight from the pages of Laura's Little House books. All you need to get started are a few simple supplies, and you're on your way to making fun and useful pioneer crafts that you'll cherish forever.

Customer Reviews (7)

Little Crafts Book
Asa teacher I am always looking for books that enrich my students...very practical ideas (and fun too) are included in this book.I purchased this several years back (and have used the ideas) and wanted to share it with our teaching team. I would recommend this book.

Little House on the Prarie Craft Book
We are very pleased with the book. It was a gift for my granddaughter. She is very happy with the book. It has given her insight to the times of old.

Tried to plan birthday party activities from this book...
...but we only really were able to do the button string as far as a kid activity.I have a 7 year old daughter who is crazy about the Little House books and I was searching for ideas of things to do at a Little House party.We made the bread from the book before the party for a decoration (which was difficult with a two year-old constantly needing attention), and it ended up beautiful and delicious.

We did the button string project with the kids at the party because we already had a lot of buttons around the house.The girls had fun stringing the buttons, but the end product isn't that impressive -- just buttons on a string.I think the corn cob doll could have been another possibility to try, but I didn't know that I would have enough adult help to get that to work.Wished that there were more crafts in the book suitable for my daughter's age.But I see other reviews where people wanted to have more difficult crafts.You can't please everyone.

Little House Craft Book
There were more crafts than I expected, my seven year old is busy creating the crafts from the book.We are also reading the Little House book series, so this craft book ties in nicely.

A less-than-respectful treatment of the skilled crafts...
I know that Carolyn Collins and Mary Collier wanted to keep their craft projects as simple as possible, so that they would be fun for our TV-glutted, skill-deprived youngsters. But in doing so, they curtailled themselves from creating a masterpiece of historical analysis like The Little House Cookbook.
How about showing some of the REAL projects that we read about in the Little House books, like the dresses that Laura and Mary laid out by drafting patterns on old newspaper, or the cabinetry that Almanzo built to delight his wife?
Aside from very young children, the handy people described in the Little House books manufactured items that were more useful and complex than Brownie Scout camp crafts. That it bears the "Little House" brand name does not separate this book from the pack. ... Read more

Product Description

For the first time since they left the Big Woods of Wisconsin, the Ingalls family is halted in their westward trek when Pa is forced to find work in a hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa. If they can save enough money, they'll continue searching for a new place to call home.

Customer Reviews (2)

Little House books
For those who read the little house books you need this one. This books will explain some missing years that were not in the original little house books.

Little House'Lost Years' Recovered
Cynthia Rylant does an excellent job of filling in the gaps for us in the little written about time of late 1875 through 1877. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote very little about those years when she would have been about 8 - 10 years old. They were years of some strife and hardship on the Ingalls household, and this is probably an important time and book to add to your Little House Collection, a time that probably shaped and had quite an influence on her life.
This story looks like it would be read before "By The Shores of Silver Lake"

Due to hardships and events beyond their control Ma and Pa Ingalls had to pack up their wagon and their family several times during those years, and we learn of other people that touched their lives in some way. Selling the farm and deep in debt, moving to the city and working their fingers to the bone before they could settle down once again. Some of the stories, you will no doubt know from the Little House TV series, and although this book takes nothing away from that wonderful show, you will learn that they happened just a little differently and in different places. The birth and too short life of baby Charles Frederick, the coming of baby Grace, working at the hotel, and meeting another branch of the Ingalls family.

Laura's love of traveling West to the wide open country and her love of books and reading become apparent at her young age. And through all the strife, the family never lacks in love and spirit.Her wonderful with relationship with her family, but especially Pa, shines through here. You are taken from smiles to tears and in the end, just like the TV program, you are left with a big grin and maybe even a new outlook on life,

The book is recommended for 3rd through 7th grade, and I agree this would be a great read for that age group.It will certainly leave young readers hungry for more. But I have to say, that all ages will love these stories and for those especially that love the Little House series, "Old Town In The Green Groves" although not written by Wilder herself, will give you the same great feeling and will fill in some of those "lost years" for you.

It's a fairly fast read, not too long, and you will probably wish there was more.

Recommended for all to take another journey of love with Laura, Mary, Carrie, Ma, Pa and Jack the Dog!...Enjoy the read...Laurie ... Read more

Product Description
When Nellie Olsen looks at Laura and Mary Ingalls, she says, "Country girls!" and wrinkles her nose.But Laura knows that being a country girl is something to be proud of!

Gentle adaptations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's original Little House books invite beginning chapter-book readers into the magical world of Little House.Gentle adaptations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's celebrated Little House books have been gathered together here in two new titles in our Little House Chapter Books series.

In Laura & Nellie, Laura goes to school and meets her archrival, Nellie Oleson. Nellie is mean and spiteful to Laura, but Laura knows just how to handle her.

In Farmer Boy Days, the first Little House chapter book based on Farmer Boy, Almanzo Wilder helps Father take care of the farm animals, begins to train his two new calves, and knows for certain that he wants to be a farmer forever.

With simple text, entertaining stories, and Renée 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 (4)

I love this book!
This is a really good book. I like the part where Laura takes the crab out of the creekand it chases Nellie. Nellie is such a snob.

I love this book!
This is a really good book. I like the part where Laura takes the crab out of the creekand it chases Nellie. Nellie is such a snob.

One of the cutest books for kids! Even 6 year olds. :)
I loved the TV show Little House when I was growing up but don't get to watch it very much now.I'd like my little girl to enjoy it as well.Through the chapter books, she can.My daughter is only 6 but can enjoy mereading the chapter books to her.Laura and Nellie was the first one weread.We also loved Animal Adventures.

Good
I enjoyed the repackaging of the old Laura and Nellie stories. This would work for readers not advanced enough to read the original (which is still superior) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wonderful quilt book
This book is full of wonderful projects insipired by life on the prairie and items during that time in history.I also loved how the book tied in excerpts from the Little House on the Prairie book set.It really makes the projects that much more appealing and meaningful.The book is well written with wonderful photos of each project.I would highly recommend this book!

Nice Collection of Authentic-Looking Quilts
Prairie Quilts is a nice collection of patterns for making quilts similar to those made by Mary Ingalls and Laura Ingalls. While some of the quilts appear simple, it is this simplicity which is most appealing. I'm quite tired of quilt books which feature impossible to make blocks in batiks and neon colors which take hours to do on a high-end sewing machine and look way too modern. Prairie Quilts is a refreshing change from that.

I particularly like the 'dove in the window' quilt, and the miniature churn & dash.

4 stars.

Wonderful book with charming projects!
Prairie Quilts by Johanna Wilson takes a delightful trip back in time to the 1870's when a little girl named Laura lived on the Minnesota prairie.This little girl grew up to become the author, Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote about life with her family on the prairie.In her books, she mentions many quilt blocks.Ms. Wilson brings those blocks to life in the charming projects that she presents in Prairie Quilts.

There are 27 projects in this book, ranging in size from pillows to bed quilts.Most of the patterns are pieced, but there are some that are appliqued or embellished with applique.There is also a delightful redwork embroidery pattern used to decorate a set of pillow shams.

My favorite project is a sampler quilt called "Little House in the Big Woods".I love the way that the author explains the significance of each block in this quilt.I can easily imagine this quilt hanging in a school library or in the home of a "Little House On the Prairie" fan.

In addition to the wonderful quilt patterns, the book includes tips for selecting fabric, making a quarter-inch seam, pressing, and a detailed explanation of the techniques that are used in making the projects.The author also provides tips for finishing your quilts, right down to the label.

Prairie Quilts would be a wonderful addition to any quilter's library.If you love old quilts and their unique connection to the past, you'll enjoy this book! ... Read more

Product Description
In 1884, when Laura, Manly, and their daughter Rose come from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, looking for a better life, Laura's outspoken articles against a local timberman cause some problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Mockery of Laura's Life
To start with, if I could have given this a lower rating, I would have.

I fully realize that these stories are fictitious and aren't meant to tell the real story of Laura, but did T L Tedrow even READ Laura's books before writing this garbage? He completely changed Laura and Almonzo into people I don't even recognize from Laura's books.

Almonzo was turned into a backwards, uneducated hick. Never in Laura's books did Almonzo use the word "plumb." And she never had him use double negatives. He was from New York, for crying out loud! He was a charming, strong, kind man in Laura's books, but in these books by T L Tedrow, he is rude, oblivious, argumentative and just plain annoying.

Then there's Laura... Since when does she not like hats? In these books, she just "doesn't like 'em." I distinctly remember in Laura's book that she bought herself a hat and adored it and loved to wear it. And I'm sure Laura, whose mother was constantly correcting her in everything she said, would say "'em." Not only that, in these books T L Tedrow has Laura say "We only got one hundred dollars." "Got?" Seriously?

If all this wasn't bad enough, he has turned Laura into a selfish brat. She just -has- to have running water. But as soon as she gets that, she -has- to have a telephone. Then she wants a car, and then she wants the right to vote. It's ridiculous and not true to how Laura presented herself in her own books.

I tried so hard to read these books and pretend they were a different family entirely. After all, they have no resemblance to the true characters in Laura's books, anyway. But even then I couldn't continue reading.In the back of my mind, I was still too angry at T L Tedrow for making such a mockery of Laura and her family. But more than that, the books are just silly. Not to mention the fact that all Laura and Almonzo seem to be able to do in these books is argue, which gets old really, really fast.

I completely agree with another review. These books should be burned.

The Road to a New Life
Do you enjoy reading books filled with a person's life many years ago, wrote in someone else's perception? In the historical fiction book, the Missouri Homestead, T.L. Tedrow captures the life of Laura Ingalls Wilders, but adds some flavor of his own along the way by using visual imagery and flashbacks. This first book in The Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder series, tells of how Laura and her family's luck seems to change as life goes on. They were faced with many hardships in De Smet, South Dakota and decide to move to Mansfield, Missouri to start a new life. The Wilder family will be on an adventure of a lifetime!

When Laura, her husband, Almanzo Wilder, and their daughter, Rose, arrive in Mansfield they are very nervous. They traveled with only one-hundred dollars to start a new life. You will see how Rose grows into a young lady, and how Laura and Almanzo start growing old together on Apple Hill Farm. Laura is a very outspoken person who stands up for what she believes in, and when a mysterious tree fungus starts popping up out of nowhere she becomes suspicious. Because of this, she starts writing for the Mansfield Monitor about it and ends up dividing the town in half for people who agree with her and those who do not. Through the years new technology is being created, and Laura experiences it first hand. You will find a big surprise of how things turn out in the end.As Laura grows older she will discover anything is possible if you believe hard enough.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it grabbed my attention. It took me a few weeks on and off to read it, but I wish I would have cut that time down to a week. I have read most of the Little House books and it reminds me of them.I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages who loves the original pioneer girl, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Remember even in the worst of times, life can get better if you keep trying.

These Books Should Be Burned
I love books and I think every effort should be made to cherish most of them. Tedrow's "Laura Ingalls Wilder" series should be burned. I mean, if it was possible to give books a minus score, this series would be a minus 5 (or even better, a minus 100). Tedrow's version of Laura's adult story tosses in events that never happened, including the birth of another child to the Wilders, an Almanzo who sounds like a hayseed and calls Laura "Laurey" instead of his real nickname for her, "Bess," and a Laura who does things the real Laura Ingalls Wilder would be horrified by, including shoving an obnoxious woman into a big punchbowl.

Worse, Tedrow uses this supposed story of Laura Ingalls Wilder to introduce his own characters, the three Youngun children, Terry, Larry, and Sherry, who are the offspring of the widowed minister. Half of each of "Laura's" book is actually about these kids, who were later spun off into their own series of books. Apparently Mr. Tedrow envisioned Laura as a TV series to be used as a spin-off vehicle. He couldn't possibly have been interested in writing a decent series about her life, or we wouldn't have ended up with this hideous series of books.

A great hammock book!
One of the most exciting books of this age!You never know what Laura will want next!From plumbing to trees , she always has a suprise for readers !

One of the funniest books I have ever read!
This book is so funny. The Youngun children are so funny in the things they do and try. From their dog "Dangit" to the mule "Crab Apple". Antics that all kids try to get away with. Also how Laura'stemper gets the best of her. I laughed so hard, reading this book. ... Read more

Product Description
A colorful board book allows young readers to spend a day with young Laura as she helps Ma plant a vegetable garden. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sweet beautiful book
I have a few books in this series and they are all very sweet and simple.My two year old really likes these and has been enjoying them since she was one.They are a pleasant nod to a simpler time when families worked side by side. ... Read more

Product Description
Spend a happy day in Laura's cabin in the Big Woods, in this delightful lift-the-flap storybook. Full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good but not great
My daughter loves this book and brings it to me over and over and over. It's a lift the flap book with one poorly designed flap - the front door and the front of the little log cabin. The problem is that first you "open" the door then you lift the flap of the front of the house. That has lead to ripping. Still worth buying though, if just for "playing" peek-a-boo with Carrie. ... Read more

Product Description
"My Little House Book of Family" shows each member of an extended family, from Ma to sister to baby. Beautiful illustrations by Renee Graef and just a few words of text on every page make this book a perfect introduction to Laura and her little house. Full color . ... Read more