Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods was published in 1932 by American author Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first in a nine-book series, the autobiographical narrative relates the story of a family of homesteading pioneers living and laboring in Wisconsin. The story is illustrated by Garth Williams, whose drawings of the Ingalls family are often considered iconic and an integral part of the reading experience.

This is a classic children’s tale set during an era of western expansion, beloved by generations of youth and taught in schools to help children understand how early pioneers survived while also imparting moral lessons in a sweet and accessible way. The story was made even more popular by several 20th century television shows and remains a staple on bookshelves today.

Themes in the book include self-reliance, social duty, and family life. This first book in an episodic series covers one year in 1871. It begins by introducing, in the third person, a little girl who lives in a gray house made from logs.

Plot Summary

Laura Ingalls is four years old at the time of the story, which begins by outlining some of the encounters the Ingalls family (Ma, Pa, older daughter Mary, and baby Carrie) has with the animals that surround their homestead, including Pa’s hunting trips and saving the pig from a bear as winter approaches.

Family life for the Ingallses consists of everyone doing their duty and completing the chores they must complete to survive. While Pa traps animals and takes in wood, Ma makes bread and butter, cleans and cooks, and oversees the household. The children have their roles to play as well, as they learn the duties they will have to take on when they are older. There are detailed descriptions of the chores, from molding bullets to making cream. The family also has playtimes and stories, many of which impart lessons to the young girls.

At Christmas, the family is visited by relatives. This fills up the house with fun, music, and more tales. Laura receives a real rag doll, and all the kids get mittens and candy. Afterwards, however, the winter seems long. Sundays are especially difficult for the youngest girl because there’s not much to do and she must be quiet. One Monday, Laura has a birthday, turning five years old.

As spring comes, the Ingalls family experiences a “sugar snow,” when men can make more sugar as a result of a cold spell creating a longer run of sap. They go visit Grandpa to harvest the sap, and there is a dance. As with many elements of this book, this is a first-time event for young Laura, and preparations for the women include tying corsets and putting on pretty clothing. Of course, plenty of maple candy is eaten as well.

The next big event in their lives is a trip to town for trading at the store, which requires dressing up and looking at many new things; the exciting day is not much marred by some sibling jealousy between Laura and her older sister.

In the summer, the family goes visiting more often. The discontent between Laura and Mary culminates in a whipping for Laura. Pa is out longer hours and tired when he comes home, and Ma makes cheese and also some hats. One day, Pa is even able to harvest pails full of honey for the family.

In the fall, chores include harvesting the straw, and Charles has asked some men with threshing machines to come help them. The work goes much faster as a result. Winter comes again—and with it, long and cozy nights of firelight and music.