Unit 5 Review - Little House in the Big Woods

 

Bibliographic Information

Wilder, L. I. 1932. LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS: Book 1, LITTLE HOUSE. (C. Jones, Narr.). [Audiobook]. HarperAudio. ASIN B01N7U27S4. https://bit.ly/3Ydnh6j

Plot Summary

The book that started it all! Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's treasured Little House series, which is based on her life growing up as an American pioneer.

Told from four-year-old Laura's point of view, this story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Laura lives in the little house with her pa, her ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack. Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa's fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep.

And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers and listeners as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier history and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.

Critical Analysis

As a prolific reader and lover of historical fiction, I was shocked to realize that I had never read any of the Little House series before. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a story that tells of Laura’s early childhood and upbringing in Wisconsin during the 1870s. Readers learn how her family, Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura herself, and baby Carrie, had to live and survive in a little log cabin during pioneer times. Listening to this book in audio format, Cherry Jones did a wonderful job of narrating Laura’s thoughts and emotions throughout the store and I found myself quickly finishing the more than three hour audiobook and wanting to continue on with the series. The part I most enjoyed in the audio version was the fiddle music played by Pa throughout the story. It immerses the reader into the story and sets a beautiful tune to the words he sings. 

The story is written in simple, but relatable, language. Adult readers need to remember that this first book is written from the point of view of a very young girl and uses immature and distracted language at times. I enjoyed seeing this pioneer world through Laura’s eyes, but I found myself itching to skip to the next chapter occasionally because of the immense detail Wilder used to describe certain events like harvesting wheat, not the most riveting subject to me personally. I did appreciate Laura’s gratitude for simple things, like a rag doll or a piece of candy, something that many children today take for granted. 

One of the main problems within this book are the hints at racism prevalent in this time period. One such instance being when Pa sings a song about the “darkey” Uncle Ned. The song talks about how he didn’t have any “wool on the top if his head” like he should, and how he didn’t have any teeth to eat the hoe-cake (a cake for poor folk made from minimal ingredients) with, and how when he died, he went where “good darkeys go.” While I understand the song may be historically accurate for this time period, I know this could be confusing or hurtful to young readers who may not have adult influence to have a discussion with them about subjects like this. Overall, I do believe this story is an accurate representation of the 1800s and recommend this book to any young reader who enjoys historical fiction. 

Awards Won & Review Excerpt(s)

*Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

*ALA Notable Children’s Book

*U.S. National Education Association's "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children

*AudioFile review - Laura Ingalls Wilder would be delighted with Cherry Jones's narration of her classic work. Jones enlivens this beloved compendium of frontier life for a new generation. She tells with verve the details of family chores and special events. Yet these are just the backdrop for the adventures of young Laura, the exuberant and not so perfect sister whom countless young people have championed--a girl who would like as big a piece of meat as her older sister; who can be frightened by her father’s boisterous play but relishes his singing and fiddle playing; who likes churning and baking days best; and who remembers every detail of each family gathering. Jones’s light and fresh tone brings a childlike wonder and enthusiasm to the familiar story as it unfolds once again. Share this recording with the whole family.

Connections

*As an adult, Wilder thought back to her very early childhood in the Big Woods and wrote detailed accounts of her life. These accounts have helped people today to truly understand what life was like for pioneers in the 1800s. Ask students to find a friend or family member who lived in a time period before they were born, and talk about his or her life. Ask students to list the similarities and differences they notice compared to their own lives.

*Almost everything that the Ingallses eat is prepared by hand by the family. Make a list of everything you eat on a given day and how you get it, and compare it to what the Ingallses ate and how their food was obtained. How are the two lists different? How are they similar? Which would you prefer?

*Draw, color and cut out paper dolls like Laura and Mary did in the novel!