One of my 21st birthday presents from my darling Mum, was the complete set of Little House books [illustrated by Garth Williams]. Though I had been a voracious reader since the age of 3, these books had never come my way, though clearly they are considered classic American children’s books. I think perhaps the TV series which aired in 1974 brought the stories to a more global audience.
Fair to say, that I ate up the entire nine (the Little House titles plus Farmer Boy, The First Four Years and These Happy Golden Years) books in rapid succession, [and later bought Little House on Rocky Ridge – Roger Lea McBride, which describes Rose Wilder’s early years after her parents’ move to Mansfield, Missouri as well as biographies – oh! and a bracelet 😊].
A favourite chapter is from the very first book Little House in the Big Woods with Laura’s wonderful description of a family Christmas in the original little log cabin tucked away in the woods. The simplicity of the times, and the family’s circumstances when Laura, her sister Mary and cousins were so thrilled with their new knitted mittens and a candy cane from Santa Claus, and Laura’s extra gift (on account of being the youngest girl) of her rag doll, Charlotte, is just revelationary, and when I have shared it with children, they are quite astonished. Previously, her ‘doll’ had been a corncob wrapped in a piece of cloth!
The children played in the snow, and looked at the pictures in the big Bible and Pa’s special book of birds and animals. There was a lush and plentiful Christmas dinner, and then the cousins, aunt and uncle were off home again, tucked up in their sleigh amidst blankets, buffalo robes and rugged up with mufflers, mittens and hoods.
Not surprisingly, this story is one that has been made into one of the Little House picture books for younger readers. If you haven’t seen Renée‘s illustrations of Laura’s books, I urge you to seek both them and the stories out [the editions with her illustrations are the ones I last bought for my library]. There is also a 2020 edition box set which looks rather beautiful (and very tempting!). Yes, Laura’s work has gone out of fashion in some quarters, [and I won’t make any comments on that] but I can assure that my appreciation and enjoyment of her work remains undiminished. There are many sites to enjoy vicariously more on Laura’s life and times. Have fun!
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 1916 column for Thanksgiving reminds us to “just be glad that we are alive”
8 Interesting facts about Laura Ingalls Wilder
DE SMET- LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE- HOME OF LAURA INGALLS WILDER
Just So Stories 
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