Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, and Little House on the Prairie

Little House #1-3

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Return to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic series with this gorgeous box set, which includes hardcover, unjacketed editions of the first three Little House novels—all featuring new, iconic cover art, special forewords, and no interior art. Based on the real-life adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the award-winning Little House series has charmed generations of readers with its depiction of life on the American frontier. In this collectible box set, see how it all begins in Little House in the Big Woods as Laura Ingalls travels with her family from the woods of Wisconsin to the prairies of Kansas in Little House on the Prairie , while in Farmer Boy , Almanzo Wilder grows up with his brother and sisters on a big farm in New York state.

Genres: Childrens, Young Adult, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook

928 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2017

About the author

Laura 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.

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile]

Check out my individual reviews on each book on their main page. :)

[Brooklyn Sizemore]

Enjoyed all 3 of these books, just started the 4th!

[Hollie]

The little house on the Prairie books were one of my favorites growing up, so re reading the first book brought back a lot of memories and was very enjoyable. The book series is about the author Laura Ingalls Wilder her life, her family, and what it was like being a young girl in the 1870s. These books are very educational and enjoyable at the same time. The wording and tone of the author is very dated and adds to the charm of the book. They take place all over the midwest but specifically Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Kansas. Its a very eye opening book for children to see how much things have changed, and to learn to be appreciative for the things they have.

[ella 💗]

This book is good if you like real stories and old classics about way back then. I read almost all the books in about mabye a few weeks, I think at one point i read one of them in 1 day!! I was so sucked-in and grasped by the book and read it constantly! I don't think it would be a adult book but definitely for tweens and teens! :D

I think theres a few I didn't read so I'm going to look for them!I read about.. ( It think) 9 of the little house on the prairie books!


For sure read!!

[Octavia Cade]

I read and reviewed each of the three books here separately, so this is basically just for my own records. They're likeable books and I enjoyed them, but Farmer Boy was my favourite, earning four stars where the other two got three. It's notable that, for me at least, the best and the worst things about these books are the same. There's a sort of nostalgic glow over everything that makes them all very pleasant to read, and yet this idealised presentation of what must have been an enormously difficult life does tend to turn the glossy into the glossed-over, I think. So, you know, I read them with enjoyment but also with a great deal of scepticism.

[Tanya Thompson]

This is actually my first time reading any of Laura Ingall Wilder’s books. I read it to help my children in their literature studies class and I can say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was a relaxing read and I liked reading about the farming. Father was a great role model for his sons and daughters, as well as Mother. The way the Almanzo regarded his parents and even how he viewed his mother, will help him in his future relationship with Laura.

[Piscesmaki]

This was so great! My mom read this to me when I was younger, but I still love it! I got a great view of the "olden-times" as I used to say. The struggles the Families had to go through and the different obstacles of every season where so intimidating! I really love this!!

[Kotlc/Games]

so good brings good memories to my childhood

[Julie Davis]

Like to start reading the book s now

[Charlee]

I like these books because they have cliff hangers and different topics. And the genre is western/historical fiction.

[Natali Madrigal]

First series of books I read as a young girl and couldn't put it down

[Lia Harris]

This was the first book series I read by myself, and I can't wait to read it to my nieces and nephews when they come around.

[Linette Montes De Oca]

I was obsessed with this show as a kid. I never read the books, but my friend did, and she said they were good so… 4 stars!!! (minus one because I haven’t read them).

[Maria Jacobs]

They are great books. I read them in this order: 2,1,3. I hope other's enjoy these books!

[Jessica Lee]

Classic favorites! I read them when I was young. Though I don't remember much about the story, I do remember how cozy these books are and how much I enjoyed reading them at the time.

[Shirley]

Loved. I loved the show and book

[Ashley Reidhead]

One of our favorite series!

[Lizzy B.]

These three are my favorites of the whole "Little House" series.