Ages 7-10: New Additions to the “Little House” Tales
By Michele Blandino
For generations, young readers – particularly girls – have grown up reading the “Little House” series of books. These books, which were written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, chronicle her pioneer family’s struggles and triumphs as they leave their home in Wisconsin and make their way to Kansas, Minnesota and finally, the Dakota Territory. Indeed, for many girls, the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder is not known through her books, but through the long-running television series, Little House on the Prairie. And, thanks to the availability of most of the series’ seasons on DVD and video, new generations of viewers are just now getting to know the Ingalls family.
Prequels and Sequels
For years, the books in this series – there are nine in all – were all that were available, leaving readers left to wonder what happened to Laura and Almonzo as they settled into married life. Similarly, many wonder what Caroline’s life may have been like before she married Charles Ingalls. These fans will be happy to learn that new books have been added to the series that feature Laura’s mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and daughter. With a separate series devoted to each woman – Martha, Charlotte, Caroline, and Rose – there are currently twenty-three more titles to choose from.
Like the original Little House titles, the stories told in these books take place chronologically, which means it is recommended that they be read in order. While all of the books are relatively easy to read, young readers may have some trouble with the Scottish terms and dialect sprinkled throughout the books in the Martha series. Each series contains a “family tree” and follows the title character through their girlhood years and into adulthood.
And, similar to the original titles, the books in these series are considered to be “historical fiction” meaning that while they are based on the lives of actual people, the events that take place within the stories may not have actually occurred. Even so, the stories that are told within these books are every bit as engaging as the original books.
