“Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder. “Little House in the Big Woods”
That little girl’s name was Laura. She grew up to become one of America’s most beloved children’s authors with her books, commonly known as the Little House Books, still in publication.
Today is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthday.
Those of you who have been visiting with me here on the Cutoff for some time know of my love of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her stories growing up on the vast prairies of the midwest in the second half of the 19th century. You know how I often read “The Long Winter” during snowstorms and of my visits to several of the Little House sites, most recently the one in Burr Oak, Iowa. If you are new to my site, or don’t know about the Little House books, please feel free to click onto the links to learn a bit more.
It is “Little House in the Big Woods” that has started countless schoolchildren on the long journey with Laura and her family that begins in the North Woods of Wisconsin and is one of the first “chapter” books read aloud to children in schools.
This one little book. written when Laura was in her sixties, is a chronicle of midwestern settlers who formed and farmed the heartland of the United States.
“Little House in the Big Woods” was followed by more books that chronologically tell of the Ingalls’ journey across frozen Lake Pepin to Minnesota and Iowa and the Dakota territory. Laura Ingalls Wilder brought the pioneer spirit alive. She still does as her books take us into their sod house, log cabins and shanties, enduring grasshopper plagues, near starvation, and illness that leaves Laura’s sister Mary blind. Ma’s cheery disposition and ability to cook anything and Pa’s fiddle strings playing the girls up to their beds at night and all the adventures, both big and small, continue to entertain, educate and inspire children young and young at heart
I was so excited to learn of her birthday today that I just may stop right here and read the first chapter of “Little House in the Big Woods” . . . well, you know what will happen if I do that, don’t you?
I can just see you disappearing into a favourite book Penny. Hope you are cosy. Books are such good friends, aren’t they, and I enjoy hearing of these pioneering stories.
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Oh, yes, Juliet, books are such good friends. I would be lost without my books.
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The next book I have to read from the series is The Long Winter. I may read it this month as a matter of fact. I’ve adored every one so far. The image of hundreds of Indians marching past the house from (I think?) Little House on the Prairie, has stayed with me since I read it.
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The Long Winter should make you wonder how the Ingalls endured such storms, Cath. They were of touch stock and self-reliant, which was what saw them through. I know the scene you mention and the image does stay with me as well. It is such a wonderful series. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying these books.
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I may have to open my copy and begin to read too. Thanks for telling me that today is her birthday. I should remember it because tomorrow is my Dad’s birthday.
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That is a nice reminder, isn’t it? I do love this first book for its simplicity and home spunness (that’s not a word-oh well). I just always want to tap into a maple tree when I read it.
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I read and re read and re re read these books as a girl, Penny, never knowing how much the Midwest would alter my life. I need to read these again.
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Oh, do read them again, Andra. They are read with different perspectives at different stages in our lives. I hope you are feeling better.
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Penny, DD and i have loved Laura’s books for many years and she has all of them I think. I have four and have just ordered the one I’ve been missing most “The Long Winter”. It’s wonderful how their simplicity can so easily charm young and old alike and their vividness is magical. Enjoy your wallow. 🙂
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After your recent snow and long winter there, Perpetua, I think you will appreciate, once again, “The Long Winter”. It is the simplicity that charms us, I agree. While the Little House books generally appeal to girls, the one titled Farmer Boy about Almanzo Wilder growing up on a farm in upstate New York might appeal to your grandsons. If I were snowed in like all those folks are today on the east coast, I might be tempted to read that one today.
Wallowing is good!
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A special day, Penny. Enjoy your reading 🙂
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Will do, Kate. Thank you.
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I have never read them! I think I need to start now!
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Oh, do Sunday. They are a fast read. Little House in the Big Woods is the shortest with each, in turn, bringing out another phase in Laura’s life – and that of the pioneer spirit.
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Oh dear. Much to my chagrin, I have not read any of the Little House books. Not long ago, I almost bought a set of all of them but they were paperback editions and I passed on them. I will be looking for gently used hardcover editions in my wanderings. Thanks Penny.
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Those gently used hardcovers are the best ones, Belle; for the little hands that have held and for the wonderful stories they tell. My paperback collection “bit the dust” a long time ago. I’ve replaced them over the years, but would love a hardcover set. I hope you can read some of the Little House books in the near future.
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Dear Penny, not only am I rejoicing over the birth of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I am also rejoicing that I found your blog so long ago and that you introduced me to her books, all of which I have now read. Thank you for so many books that you’ve strewn in my pathway in the past year and a half. Peace.
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What a nice thing to say, Dee. You have made my day! I think we all learn so much from each other in our blogging activities – and I’m anxiously awaiting my books about your beloved Dulcey.
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My Little House books are back in Oregon — (I think I’ve told you this before)….I miss them.
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I know they are, Sallie; on to other young lives there in Oregon, which is a good thing.
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I didn’t know that Laura wrote “Big Woods” in her 60’s! imagine that! At one time I did have most of the books, but between my daughter and my niece, I don’t think I have any volumes in my library. It would be wonderful to read them again, though, and that’s a great idea. For some, like me, who never really knew what the prairie represented, the television show was a wonderful introduction to Wilder. I read the books during the years of the television show, and then made sure that Aimee also read them. Great memories, once again, Penny!
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Isn’t that amazing, Debra? Then she went on to write all the other books. I think the television series did, indeed, introduce countless new readers to the books. Tom gave me the entire set when he saw how much I liked the television series. It was a Christmas gift and I read them all that Christmas season as I was on break from teaching, and read them over again for several Christmases. The girls read at least some them and the books eventually fell apart! I’ve picked up most of the books at second hand stores – and love them over and over again.
I think it is time for both of us to supply fresh sets for our grands!
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Little did Laura Ingalls Wilder know that all these years later she would have a fan like you still celebrating her birthday! 🙂
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How I wish I had known her, Janet – though I’m rather fond of indoor plumbing.
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