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My First Little House Books
My Little House ABC
An alphabet book illustrating various aspects of pioneer life
24 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1859
2 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Laura Ingalls Wilder
454 books5,427 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2020
I read this to my daughter today. I really liked the simplicity of it and also the illustrations. I think all of the items were either from Little House on the Prairie, Little House in the Big Woods or On the Banks of Plum Creek. I liked how there was a short explanation of each item and then it told which book that the item was found in.
January 10, 2021
From A to Z, the reader gets to see things that were mentioned or shown in the Little House books - Little House on the Prairie, Little House in the Big Woods, On the Banks of Plum Creek. Lovely illustrations.
March 15, 2013
This is an adorable book. Would probably be wonderful for a family with an older kiddo studying the first five books The Little House Collection with bits and pieces alluding to the others. So far we have only read A Little House Christmas Treasury: Festive Holiday Stories but enjoyed it so much that I look forward to jumping into the series. Our library has several of the My First Little House Books so hopefully this will be a great way to start.
July 10, 2008
Really cute! I love everything little house:) so when I saw this at the thrift store I had to get it! The ABC's only go up to On the Banks of Plum Creek, probably because On the Shores of Silver Lakes... that is when Laura became a young woman.
February 21, 2016
This book would be great for a class when they are learning about the days when people lived in the 1800s. There is a lot of valuable information in the book that will help the students. I think it's a very interesting book and learned new information from this book
July 23, 2011
really like the quotes from the little house books using the highlighted words in sentences. the art isn't by garth williams, but approved by him.
November 12, 2011
Cleverly adapted from the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, each letter from the alphabet is illustrated by an article or activity that took place in 19th century America.
September 13, 2016
If you've read the Little House on the Prairie then this will be better since it references which book the item matching a letter comes from.
October 31, 2015
Nice, good for a child who is more familiar with the alphabet; long and short vowel sounds are used.
March 18, 2012
a short retelling of part of the books for younger readers
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews