Of course there's a dog in this book!
We all know of Laura Ingalls Wilder's wonderful stories about growing up in the late 1800s in the Midwest: they were so much a part of the TV culture from 1974-1983 and beyond, that even if we never saw one of the many episodes, we saw parts of them or knew about them somehow, perhaps because Pa (Michael Landon) was the wonderful father everyone wanted and Laura was the normal girl (Melissa Gilbert) everyone wanted to be.
Little House on the Prairie actually depicts only one year of frontier adventures and daily life but the TV program goes on from there and has never been off the air.
Why Do We Love Little House So Much?
Could it be because those were simpler times, and happy, in the midst of such extreme weather and hard labor on the land? In the words of Melissa Gilbert, the series was about compassion, community, faith, and love.
Laura reminds us that children should be seen and not heard, that they should not talk unless spoken to. She also tells us of seeing rabbits and snakes every day on the prairie, of being scared of the Indians but mesmerized by their ponies, of building the 'little house' and barn, putting up the roof and putting in the fireplace, making the door without any nails. It might be thought of as a girl's book but the instructions to build a house will keep any young boy enthralled.
The Read-Aloud Edition
This edition has 26 chapters and large print - perfect for reading a chapter a night before turning off the lights and tucking the young one in to bed. Not only was Wilder a very good writer but she selected the most exciting situations to write about, as well as some very routine aspects of prairie life in all four seasons. When they finally could buy glass for their windows, it was a happy day indeed.
As for the dog in the book: Jack was a French Bulldog while the TV Jack was a large 'scruffy' nondescript best friend who also was a workdog, helping Pa keep the family safe. As a matter of fact, it all starts with Jack. In an early chapter, the family has to ford a deep fast river in their covered wagon and little Jack is swept downstreaam. The family and horses make it safely across but don't see Jack. This is very hard on Laura, especially.
More About Laura
Laura Ingall Wilder (1867-1957) wrote nine books about her growing-up life with her family, between 1932 and 1942, primarily for elementary school children. At least one was written for adults but wasn't successful until she rewrote it for the younger set. Evidence also points to the fact that her daughter (Rose Lane) assisted or co-wrote with her.
So many exciting adventures happened to Laura in participating to build a family and life on the prairie in various states that several states now house created museums or maintained her homes as a shrine of sorts: in New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota and even in Florida where the Wilders lived for a short while!
She is a five-time runner-up for the Newbery prize and even has a crater on Venus named after her!
Covered Wagon Days Again
Read the nine books again and watch the years of TV to relive a happier, more exciting yet routine time. You will even learn how to build a bed!
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