A Little House Christmas: Volume 2

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

The follow-up to the best-selling A Little House Christmas, here's another chance to celebrate the special magic of the merry Christmases Laura and her family shared by the shores of Silver Lake, and during the happy golden years in De Smet, as well as Almanzo's special Christmas days spent in upstate New York. With foil-stamped and embossed title type, a Christmasy green background and holly border, lavish cream-colored paper, and full-color Garth Williams cover and interior artwork, here's a classic Christmas story collection that will be treasured year after year.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Historical

102 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Connie Douglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of Christmas stories from the last few Little House Books. My favorite one is from “These Happy Happy Golden Years” when Laura and Almanzo were courting. Laura thought Almanzo would be gone all winter, but he drove many days to surprise her and give her her Christmas present. Again, great illustrations by Garth Williams.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story I read is called Surprise and it certainly was for the Ingalls children. Takes place on Plum Creek, and Mary and Laura are home. Ma tells them to get dressed because they were going to town that night. Surprised at the announcement, both girls asked why because they had never been to town during the evening. It turns out that Rev. Alden at the church had arranged a sort of giving tree where everyone in Walnut Grove was given a gift or two. The children always got more than one. So that was a big surprise for all three Ingalls' girls who went home with big smiles and brand new presents. Another wonderful read for all ages!

[C.G.Koens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas stories in the Little House series of books were always some of my favorite parts of each book, so I love this collection of the Christmas stories of Laura Ingalls, and loved reading them to my girls, and they love listening to them. Added bonus: it makes them interested in reading the actual series because they're learning who the members of the Ingalls family are. 🙂

[kaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

because tis the season part 2

[Judy Tarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend any of this author’s books. They are classics! Wonderful memories of her childhood and growing into a young woman.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Little House books. It really was a simpler time and I think in some ways a lot easier than how we have things today. I love how the family gets unexpected visitors on a cold wintery Christmas Eve, and they welcome them in without any hesitation, ensure they are fed and have a warm place to sleep, and even make sure they have a gift to open on Christmas day! These days if you got unexpected visitors, most people would just be bitching about it.

An enjoyable collection of Christmas tales taken directly from the Little House series of books.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was as good as the first book for me. It put me in the Christmas spirit, and reminded me of why we should not focus on how much we spend but rather being thoughtful with gifts and thankful for friends and family.