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My First Little House Books
A Little Prairie House
Long, long ago, a little girl named Laura Ingalls headed west toward the prairie with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters, Mary and Carrie, and their good old bulldog, Jack. They traveled far each day in their covered wagon, driving through tall grass until they found just the right spot for their new home. With the help of their kind neighbor, Mr. Edwards, Pa built a snug little house for the family in the middle of the wide-open prairie. 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 adventure in these very special picture books adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story-books. Renee Graef's warm paintings, inspired by Garth Williams' classic Little House illustrations, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life.
Renée Graef recieved her bachelor's degree in art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is the illustrator of teh paper dolls and the Kirsten books in the American Girls Collection. She is also an avid hat collector, with over 150 hats at last count. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her huisband, Tim, and thier children, Maggie and Maxfeild.Join the Ingalls family as they pick a special spot on the prairie and build their snug log cabin home. Their new neighbor, Mr. Edwards, comes by to help, and after the hard work is through, everyone sings and dances to the joyful music of Pa's fiddle. Renee Graef's enchanting full-color illustrations, inspired by Garth William's classic artwork, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life in this eleventh title in the My First Little House Books series, adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved storybooks.
Renée Graef recieved her bachelor's degree in art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She is the illustrator of teh paper dolls and the Kirsten books in the American Girls Collection. She is also an avid hat collector, with over 150 hats at last count. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her huisband, Tim, and thier children, Maggie and Maxfeild.Join the Ingalls family as they pick a special spot on the prairie and build their snug log cabin home. Their new neighbor, Mr. Edwards, comes by to help, and after the hard work is through, everyone sings and dances to the joyful music of Pa's fiddle. Renee Graef's enchanting full-color illustrations, inspired by Garth William's classic artwork, bring Laura and her family lovingly to life in this eleventh title in the My First Little House Books series, adapted from Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved storybooks.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
8 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Laura Ingalls Wilder
454 books5,426 followersLaura Ingalls Wilder was an American author, journalist, and educator whose "Little House" series transformed the arduous reality of the American frontier into a foundational pillar of children's literature. Born in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s childhood was a nomadic journey through the heart of a shifting nation. Her family moved across Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakota Territory—often staying just ahead of legal evictions or chasing the promise of fertile soil. These years were marked by extreme hardship, including the "Hard Winter" of 1880–81 in De Smet, South Dakota, where the family survived near-starvation. Despite the struggle, these experiences provided the raw material for her eight-volume record of pioneer life, a series that has since been translated into over forty languages.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 31, 2023
Sweet introduction to the Little House books.
December 15, 2016
Although I didn't discover the Little House books until I was in my 20s, (ah, the wasted years!) the books are lovely and appropriate to read aloud even to younger children. That being said, I was super pleased to find these picture book episodic versions at the library, and this was my favorite of the ones we checked out. There's a gorgeous illustration in this one of Laura inside her new house with the light falling on her so beautifully. I'm glad I can introduce my daughter to these characters in such an appealing way and can't wait to read more of this series and the rest of the storybooks with her.
October 27, 2023
I read this to my students. I loved the Little House on the Prairie books when I was younger, and was thrilled to realize they have children's books to make them accessible to younger children. September was Wilderness month, so I read this to my classes to introduce them to books about the wilderness.
August 23, 2021
Great illustrations by Renee graef. A simplified story based on the little house books, the family finds a spot on the prairie and sets up their home. Probably needs a bit of context built in by adults, and maybe we shouldn’t be so obsessed with the pioneers anymore.
February 15, 2025
Wilder Woods #11
Little House books made shorter, and with simpler language and into a picture book for a modern audience. It was ok I guess, but the very essence of the series is missing in this miniaturised version. LIW certainly did not write it despite her name being on the front.
Little House books made shorter, and with simpler language and into a picture book for a modern audience. It was ok I guess, but the very essence of the series is missing in this miniaturised version. LIW certainly did not write it despite her name being on the front.
November 23, 2016
The kids, both boys and girls, have liked this series of books. In this story, they get a glimpse of what it takes to build a log house.
November 28, 2017
11/28/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
I always love Little House books.
I always love Little House books.
April 13, 2018
Adorable illustrations. Big clear text. Adapted from The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. A perfect substitute for younger aged children.
November 28, 2018
The Ingalls choose a spot on the prairie to build their house. They meet Mr. Edwards, their new neighbor and he helps them build their house
June 25, 2019
Loved this series, could not resist it as a picture book series. Had to pick them up and add them to my collection. Just a cute series that continues the story.
November 20, 2020
This is the first "Little House" book that I introduced to my daughter. After we finished reading, she told me that she really liked it.
January 10, 2022
I love all of these stories and I really love the illustrations, but the illustrations in this book seem far more beautiful than the other books I’ve read from this series!
March 19, 2022
I’m just reading all of my physical books that I own and this is one of them. Of course I loved it. It’s children’s books like this that make me so excited to read to my children one day 🥰
May 1, 2023
Enjoyed introducing my child to this book series
January 22, 2024
A super fun and classic read. We will be adding the rest of the series to our tbr list and these will likely be books we purchase to keep in our home library.
March 20, 2024
3.5 stars
The building of the Wilder family home
The building of the Wilder family home
July 8, 2024
A great way to introduce young readers to the Little House books.
January 19, 2025
7.75/10⭐️
Want to read
March 3, 2025SM
Read
September 3, 2020AR 3.7
J read 2020
J read 2020
February 8, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Range: 4th - 6th
I love this historical fiction children's book. I love reading books from different time periods and learning about what life was like then. I liked that this book gave me a small taste of what it would have been like to live during the pioneer days and on a prairie. I wish the book would have continued as I would have liked to see more about who Mr. Edwards was! Overall, this was a very well written story.
Grade Range: 4th - 6th
I love this historical fiction children's book. I love reading books from different time periods and learning about what life was like then. I liked that this book gave me a small taste of what it would have been like to live during the pioneer days and on a prairie. I wish the book would have continued as I would have liked to see more about who Mr. Edwards was! Overall, this was a very well written story.
April 14, 2014
These "first" books are absolutely wonderful! The illustrations are very nice and so eye catching for non readers. I LOVED them, am so glad I found them now I won't have to wait until my 2 year old granddaughter is older to share with her the wonderfully sweet stories of Laura and History back in pioneer days! LOVED THIS BOOK...
This book tells how they traveled in the middle of the Prairie where there wasn't nothing to see for a long time. Pa goes and gets logs and he and Ma start building their house. one day Pa finds a neighbor and he is Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards and Pa finish their house and make new friends!
This book tells how they traveled in the middle of the Prairie where there wasn't nothing to see for a long time. Pa goes and gets logs and he and Ma start building their house. one day Pa finds a neighbor and he is Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards and Pa finish their house and make new friends!
December 6, 2016
If you have grown up reading Laura's books you will be excited to know that Mr. Edwards makes an appearance in this book! He was always one of my favorite characters in her books! I love how he describes him in her chapter books and she does a great job of introducing him in her My First Little House Books. This book is about the family moving out to the prairie and building a log home there. Laura takes you back in time with her to experience what it may have been like to be apart of her family in that time of age. That is what I love about her writings even in these shorter books is that you truly feel apart of her family!
October 23, 2012
I loved the Little House on the Prairie books as a child. My mother first introduced me to the picture book series, such as this one. In this book Laura and her family travel across the country in search of a place for their new home. We learn about how vast the prairie was, how Pa had to cut down logs to build a home, and how sitting around the campfire listening to the fiddle was the way they passed time. Reading these books takes children back to simpler days, capturing a time in history that is full of charm and adventure.
December 5, 2008
Much to my delight, my boys who are five and two absolutely love these books! The "My First Little House" series takes stories out of the original little house books and illustrates them beautifully. My boys love to point out each family member and my five year old asks lots of questions. These books have become a wonderful way to introduce history and "the simple life" to my little ones. These books have great family values. :)
October 1, 2014
I picked this up at the library for my six year old daughter. I was more excited about it than she was. I thought in the iPad age, no kid is really going to like reading about Pa whittling Laura a doll for her birthday.
I honestly can't explain it, but my girl loved this book, and asked to read another. I am nostalgic on this series... who isn't? These versions for younger readers are such a great way to introduce the next generation to the Little House!
I honestly can't explain it, but my girl loved this book, and asked to read another. I am nostalgic on this series... who isn't? These versions for younger readers are such a great way to introduce the next generation to the Little House!
June 18, 2008
My girls love these picture books! I would have a hard time getting them to sit through the original series, but this makes an excellent bridge for those who are unable to read themselves!
Another of the few books out there featuring realistic "fiction" (OK, I know this is not really fiction) for children.
Another of the few books out there featuring realistic "fiction" (OK, I know this is not really fiction) for children.
March 28, 2009
I love all the "My First Little House Books". I love the illustrations and the wordings come right out of the Little House books. All children should read about Laura's family's life and understand the way things used to be. My kids were amazed when I told them Laura's house was probably as big as our living room.
March 31, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this; I had always watched the show when I was younger, but never read any of the stories. However, I think this is a great book, especially for kids to read to compare how things are now to how things were back then without running water and electricity. It would be great to use as a writing activity to compare the two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews