Rating: My Bookshelf

Reading Level: Early Elementary (Read-Aloud), Mid-late Elementary

This All-American Classic tells the story of a post-civil-war family that has settled in a log cabin in the woods on the frontier. I love the educational bits: making a smokehouse out of a hollowed-out log, or making a straw hat out of wheat chaff.

A few potential concerns parents should know:

  • Laura’s dad tells a story about his youth when he “pretended he was hunting Indians.”
  • Corporal punishment. When children disobey, they are disciplined with a “switch” or other means of spanking them.
  • Sabbath. There are stories about Sabbath being a very solemn day with no fun alllowed; in my family sabbath is a time for rest, but that includes joy!
  • Jealousy. Laura is jealous of her older sister’s blonde hair, and she struggles tremendously. A few times, she knocks on brown hair and if your daughter has brown hair you might want to chat with her about how Laura’s views don’t represent the world’s!

This book is also reviewed by Big Books Little Ears: https://bigbookslittleears.com/little-house-in-the-big-woods/

Image courtesy of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.