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kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
5.0
This is my umpteenth time reading this book, and I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was a girl! There's a simple charm to these stories of pioneer life that invites you in.
As always, Laura is my favorite character because she is spunky and brave and hilarious, while her sister Mary is prim and boring.
Pa is another favorite, because he is a musician, and because his funny and jovial ways remind me of my own father. Laura says that "Pa always laughed out loud and his laugh was like great bells ringing." haha! Wonderful!
In this book, the Ingalls family is settling in Indian Territory, building a log cabin, digging a well, and plowing the land for fields of corn. But the Indians are close by and some of them are dangerous.
This book contains the most famous scene of the entire series, when Mr. Edwards swims across the raging creek to bring Laura and Mary Christmas gifts that he claims Santa Claus asked him to deliver. When I was a kid reading this, I never realized or thought about how the adults are reacting in the scene. I was focused on the children getting their gifts.
Now reading as an adult, I see it so differently, knowing the extent of the sacrifice Mr. Edwards had made and the danger he went through. "Pa shook Mr. Edwards' hand, and shook it again. Pa and Ma and Mr. Edwards acted as if they were almost crying, Laura didn't know why."
The adults are overwhelmed by emotion at seeing their children so happy with their presents, and they are relieved that Christmas is not ruined. Is there anything more powerful for an adult than to see children happy at Christmas, knowing the sacrifice that it cost?
The author is brilliant at bringing an emotion to the forefront with very few words. I adore all these books!
jcubifer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
taralecleree's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mtzbookworm64's review against another edition
4.0
Another great series of books for young readers. You can have great literature, with historical information, and NOT have to have violence or profanity in it to have a great story line.
Always - a great read!
Always - a great read!
lenny729's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leahreadsstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
book_lizard42's review against another edition
In seeking comfort reads for the end of 2023, I landed on this one. I first read it in the first grade, and I loved it then because the TV show was wildly popular. Brings back lots of memories. Although it's listed as book 3, and I'm not sure what came before Little House In the Big Woods.
abeckett's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
What I love about these books is that Wilder doesn’t completely sugarcoat life in the mid-to-late 1800s. There is plenty of hard work, danger and disappointment. The family endures many hardships including flood, fire, wild animals, disease and weather. But this is a strong family unit. Ma and Pa are steadfast, competent, hard-working, and protect their children as best they can. They are also thoughtful in answering the young Laura’s questions as she begins to understand that there are different ways to see things, and that complicated issues may have more than one “right” side. There’s also a strong sense of independence in these people. The adults are setting out for a totally new experience, and do not let hardship dissuade them. If they have to make a change to their plans, they do so with continued hope that their hard work will pay off. As Ma and Pa frequently state to their children, “All’s well that ends well.”
Cherry Jones does a great job of the narration on the audio book. She gives us a sense of adventure and excitement on the journey, with an underlying feeling of safety and security. I can’t help but delight in the joy of a simple surprise, whether it’s discovering prairie dogs, leftover beads or a special treat in a Christmas stocking.
There’s a good reason these books have endured. I highly recommend them for all ages.
Cherry Jones does a great job of the narration on the audio book. She gives us a sense of adventure and excitement on the journey, with an underlying feeling of safety and security. I can’t help but delight in the joy of a simple surprise, whether it’s discovering prairie dogs, leftover beads or a special treat in a Christmas stocking.
There’s a good reason these books have endured. I highly recommend them for all ages.
bookishandjoyceful's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0