Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Little House

When I was as little as I can remember, and looked shockingly similar to the little girl you see in this space each day, I loved to listen in as my father and mother read the Little House on the Prairie books to my older brothers and sisters.  As I got older I listened more and more to these beloved stories and as the older children finished the last book we started all over again, this time reading to myself and my younger brothers and sisters.  My parents took turns reading, though to be perfectly honest I mostly remember my Dad reading.  Perhaps this is because my mother was always reading to us and her turns reading the Little House Books just blend into the million other stories she read.  Though when my Dad read he always skipped over the descriptions of the dresses…”too much about bodices” he says!  Even his editing is held close to the hearts of our family as we reminisce about the treasured time spent reading these stories together.  They became such an integral part of our childhood.  We became Laura, Mary, and Almonzo…living and making decisions that would create a life to be valued as their lives are valued.  These books provided infinite launching points for further study and learning.  They truly are magnificent.

We recently finished reading E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, another childhood classic, to our little girl.  When we finished and started discussing what to read next we landed on Little House in the Big Woods, the first of Laura Ingalls Wilders classics.  I was not expecting what it would mean to start reading these favorite books to my own children.  I was a bit overcome with the connection to my own childhood, my own parents, and my own treasured experience reading these books when I was her age.  And I was a bit overcome with excitement for her as she begins a journey through another little girls life that holds so much richness and experience to learn from.  Yes…it was no insignificant moment as I walked across the sunny porch and joined her in the chair to begin what is surely to be a most excellent adventure!

June 072

Comments (6)

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This is such a beautiful post and brought back so many memories of when I was a little girl. We had similar inklings. For my 10th birthday my family gave me the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder books. It was like a dream. My mom was a sewing a bevy of prairie dresses. I don't think you could tell me and Laura apart. Enjoy these very precious moments.
these books are such an integral part of my childhood, too. & now are a cherished part of our life with our children. when I really need good behavior from Naomi we pretend to be the ingalls, works like a charm!
I love this idea -how young is your little girl? I've been debating starting chapter books with our 2 year old, and was concerned it would be "too much" for her. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Last year I read Farmer Boy to three of my boys and this winter we read Little House in the Big Woods. I, too, have fond childhood memories of reading these books and was thrilled when the boys were outside playing "Almanzo".
hello, I love your blog! I found a lot of inspiration, thanks!
I've occasionally been reading Little House in the Big Woods to my 6 yr old son at bedtime. This always seems to bring on questions about bears and wolves - so funny.

I'm new to your blog and am really enjoying it. ~ Conny

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