Little House in the Big Woods
Encyclopedia
Little House in the Big Woods is a children's novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder
and was published in 1932. This book is the first of the series of books known as the Little House series.
The Little House series (also known as "Laura Years") is based on decades-old memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder's early childhood in the Big Woods
near Pepin, Wisconsin
, in the late 19th century.
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder
was born to Caroline Ingalls
and Charles Ingalls
on February 7, 1867, near Pepin, Wisconsin
. At that time, she had one sister, Mary Amelia Ingalls
. Wilder’s actual birthplace is about seven miles (11 km) north of Pepin, and is marked by a replica cabin along the Pepin County highway CC (formerly Wisconsin 183) at the Little House Wayside
(near Lund
). Pepin celebrates her life every September with traditional music, craft demonstrations, a "Laura look-alike" contest, a spelling bee, and other events. Other places the Ingalls’ lived in the Little House books have also been restored and preserved for visitors.
The family actually lived in the Big Woods twice. When Laura was still a baby, Pa had the urge to move west, so the family packed up and moved via covered wagon to Independence, Kansas. Laura’s sister, Carrie Ingalls
, was born while they lived in the Kansas Territory, and Laura saw her first Indians (Osage
) and how they lived. The family returned to the Little House in the Big Woods after a couple of years. Laura and Mary went to school for the first time in Pepin (not Walnut Grove), an experience that is not included in Little House in the Big Woods. The school's name was Barry Corner School. In 1874, the family started their journey to Walnut Grove, Minnesota
, stopping for a while in Lake City, Minnesota
.
In the book, Laura turns five years old. Actually, she was only three. According to a letter from her daughter, Rose, to biographer William Anderson, the publisher had Laura change her age in the book because it seemed unrealistic for a three-year-old to have specific memories such as she wrote about. This is also why Laura portrayed herself as 6–7 years old in Little House on the Prairie
, to be consistent with her already established chronology. Since she skipped writing about 1876–1877 when the family lived near Burr Oak, Iowa
, her age progression in later books is seamless.
At age 18 Laura married Almanzo Wilder
. A year of Almanzo’s childhood in rural New York is memorialized in her second book, Farmer Boy
. Together they raised horses, which Almanzo loved, and homesteaded for decades. They had one daughter, Rose Wilder Lane
, and lost a son in infancy. Rose grew up to become an author, among other things. Laura wrote over the years in the form of essays and articles for newspapers and magazines, mostly articles related to homesteading. For Little House in the Big Woods, and each of her books, Laura wrote out the manuscript by hand. Her daughter Rose typed and helped edit it before it was published in 1932. The well-known illustrations by Garth Williams
appeared in the revised edition, first published in 1953.
Little House in the Big Woods describes the homesteading skills Laura observed and began to practice during her fifth year (see comment on Laura’s age, above). This first volume does not contain the more mature (yet real) themes addressed in later books of the series (danger from Indians and wild animals, serious illness, death, drought, crop destruction). Hard work is the rule, though fun is often made in the midst of it. Laura gathers woodchips, and helps Ma and Pa when they butcher animals. Laura also helps Ma preserve the meat. This is all in preparation for the upcoming winter. Fall is a very busy time, because the harvest from the garden and fields must be brought in as well.
The cousins come for Christmas that year, and Laura receives a doll, which she names Charlotte. Later that winter, the family goes to Grandma Ingalls’ and has a “sugaring off,” when they harvest sap and make maple syrup
. They return home with buckets of syrup, enough to last the year. Laura remembered that sugaring off, and the dance that followed, for the rest of her life.
Each season has its work, which the author makes attractive by the good things that result. In the spring, the cow has a calf, so there are milk
, butter
and cheese
. Everyday housework is also described in detail.
That summer and fall, the Ingalls again plant a garden and fields, and store food for the winter. Laura’s Pa trades labor with other farmers so that his own crops will be harvested faster when it is time. Not all work was farming. Hunting and gathering were important parts of providing for the family as well. When Pa went into the woods to hunt, he usually came home with a deer then smoked the meat for the coming winter. One day he noticed a bee tree and returned from hunting early to get the wash tub and milk pail to collect the honey
. When Pa returned in the winter evenings, Laura and Mary always begged him to play his fiddle
; he was too tired from farm work to play during the summertime. In the winter, they enjoyed the comforts of their home and danced to Pa’s fiddle playing.
books, four series of books expand the Little House series to include five generations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's family. The success of the Little House series has produced many related books including two series ("Little House Chapter Books" and "My First Little House Books") that present the original stories in condensed and simplified form for younger readers. There are also Little House themed craft, music, and cookbooks.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American author who wrote the Little House series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family...
and was published in 1932. This book is the first of the series of books known as the Little House series.
The Little House series (also known as "Laura Years") is based on decades-old memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder's early childhood in the Big Woods
Big Woods
Big Woods refers to a type of temperate hardwood forest ecoregion found in south-central Minnesota. "Big Woods" is a direct translation of the name given to the region by French explorers: Grand Bois.-Trees:...
near Pepin, Wisconsin
Pepin, Wisconsin
Pepin is a village in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 837 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Pepin.-History:...
, in the late 19th century.
Historical background
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American author who wrote the Little House series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family...
was born to Caroline Ingalls
Caroline Ingalls
Caroline Ingalls, born Caroline Lake Quiner was the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House books.-Biography:...
and Charles Ingalls
Charles Ingalls
Charles Phillip Ingalls was the father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, known for her Little House on the Prairie series of books...
on February 7, 1867, near Pepin, Wisconsin
Pepin, Wisconsin
Pepin is a village in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 837 at the 2010 census. The village is located within the Town of Pepin.-History:...
. At that time, she had one sister, Mary Amelia Ingalls
Mary Ingalls
Mary Amelia Ingalls was born near the town of Pepin, Wisconsin. She was the first child of Caroline and Charles Ingalls...
. Wilder’s actual birthplace is about seven miles (11 km) north of Pepin, and is marked by a replica cabin along the Pepin County highway CC (formerly Wisconsin 183) at the Little House Wayside
Little House Wayside
The Little House Wayside is a rest area located in Pepin County, Wisconsin approximate seven miles northwest of Pepin, Wisconsin, in the town of Pepin, and approximately one mile southeast of Lund, on County Highway CC , on the plot where Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867.The site...
(near Lund
Lund, Wisconsin
Lund is an unincorporated community located in two counties of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It lies on the county line between Pepin County, in the town of Pepin, and Pierce County, in the town of Maiden Rock, in central western Wisconsin, along the junctions of county highways "SS", "CC" , and "J"...
). Pepin celebrates her life every September with traditional music, craft demonstrations, a "Laura look-alike" contest, a spelling bee, and other events. Other places the Ingalls’ lived in the Little House books have also been restored and preserved for visitors.
The family actually lived in the Big Woods twice. When Laura was still a baby, Pa had the urge to move west, so the family packed up and moved via covered wagon to Independence, Kansas. Laura’s sister, Carrie Ingalls
Carrie Ingalls
Caroline Celestia "Carrie" Ingalls Swanzey was the third child of Charles and Caroline Ingalls, and was born in Montgomery County, Kansas...
, was born while they lived in the Kansas Territory, and Laura saw her first Indians (Osage
Osage Nation
The Osage Nation is a Native American Siouan-language tribe in the United States that originated in the Ohio River valley in present-day Kentucky. After years of war with invading Iroquois, the Osage migrated west of the Mississippi River to their historic lands in present-day Arkansas, Missouri,...
) and how they lived. The family returned to the Little House in the Big Woods after a couple of years. Laura and Mary went to school for the first time in Pepin (not Walnut Grove), an experience that is not included in Little House in the Big Woods. The school's name was Barry Corner School. In 1874, the family started their journey to Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Walnut Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 599 people, 291 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was 577.7 people per square mile . There were 341 housing units at an average density of 328.9 per square mile...
, stopping for a while in Lake City, Minnesota
Lake City, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,950 people, 2,131 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.9 people per square mile . There were 2,347 housing units at an average density of 553.3 per square mile...
.
Little House on the Prairie
Little House is a series of children's books by Laura Ingalls Wilder that was published originally between 1932 and 1943, with four additional books published posthumously, in 1962, 1971, 1974 and 2006.-History:...
, to be consistent with her already established chronology. Since she skipped writing about 1876–1877 when the family lived near Burr Oak, Iowa
Burr Oak, Iowa
Burr Oak is a small unincorporated community in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States, very close to the Minnesota state line. Burr Oak is a census-designated place and the population was 166 in the 2010 census -History:...
, her age progression in later books is seamless.
At age 18 Laura married Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo Wilder
Almanzo James Wilder was the husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder and father of Rose Wilder Lane, both noted U.S. writers.- Early life :...
. A year of Almanzo’s childhood in rural New York is memorialized in her second book, Farmer Boy
Farmer Boy
Farmer Boy is a children's historical novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder. First published in 1933, it is the second book in the nine part Little House series, also known as "The Laura Years"...
. Together they raised horses, which Almanzo loved, and homesteaded for decades. They had one daughter, Rose Wilder Lane
Rose Wilder Lane
Rose Wilder Lane was an American journalist, travel writer, novelist, and political theorist...
, and lost a son in infancy. Rose grew up to become an author, among other things. Laura wrote over the years in the form of essays and articles for newspapers and magazines, mostly articles related to homesteading. For Little House in the Big Woods, and each of her books, Laura wrote out the manuscript by hand. Her daughter Rose typed and helped edit it before it was published in 1932. The well-known illustrations by Garth Williams
Garth Williams
Garth Montgomery Williams was an American artist who came to prominence in the American postwar era as an illustrator of children's books...
appeared in the revised edition, first published in 1953.
Story
The cousins come for Christmas that year, and Laura receives a doll, which she names Charlotte. Later that winter, the family goes to Grandma Ingalls’ and has a “sugaring off,” when they harvest sap and make maple syrup
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species such as the bigleaf maple. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then...
. They return home with buckets of syrup, enough to last the year. Laura remembered that sugaring off, and the dance that followed, for the rest of her life.
Each season has its work, which the author makes attractive by the good things that result. In the spring, the cow has a calf, so there are milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
, butter
Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications, such as baking, sauce making, and pan frying...
and cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
. Everyday housework is also described in detail.
That summer and fall, the Ingalls again plant a garden and fields, and store food for the winter. Laura’s Pa trades labor with other farmers so that his own crops will be harvested faster when it is time. Not all work was farming. Hunting and gathering were important parts of providing for the family as well. When Pa went into the woods to hunt, he usually came home with a deer then smoked the meat for the coming winter. One day he noticed a bee tree and returned from hunting early to get the wash tub and milk pail to collect the honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
. When Pa returned in the winter evenings, Laura and Mary always begged him to play his fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
; he was too tired from farm work to play during the summertime. In the winter, they enjoyed the comforts of their home and danced to Pa’s fiddle playing.
Related books
In addition to the Little HouseLittle House on the Prairie
Little House is a series of children's books by Laura Ingalls Wilder that was published originally between 1932 and 1943, with four additional books published posthumously, in 1962, 1971, 1974 and 2006.-History:...
books, four series of books expand the Little House series to include five generations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's family. The success of the Little House series has produced many related books including two series ("Little House Chapter Books" and "My First Little House Books") that present the original stories in condensed and simplified form for younger readers. There are also Little House themed craft, music, and cookbooks.
External links
- Photo of a replica log cabin about 7 miles north of Pepin, WI. http://www.btinternet.com/~prgreetham/fgtrail/BigWoods.html
- Rock Pickle Publishing – a Historic Children’s Book website with reviews, publication history, photos of original covers, etc. http://www.rockpicklepublishing.com/websites/littlehouseinthebigwoods/littlehouseinthebigwoods.html
- Fact and fiction of Laura Ingalls Wilder from A to Z http://www.pioneergirl.com