SM

Soo nice and cozy

Laura and her family enjoy Christmas with family. They make snow angels and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Laura comes to life with the illustrations by Renee Graef. Nice introduction to Little House books. (Grades Preschool-3)

When I was younger my mom used to read me The Little House on the Prairie books. Christmas in the Big Woods was one of my favorites. It is about Laura and her family as they celebrate Christmas. Laura and her sister helped their mother make cookies and molasses and made snow angles outside with their cousins. Living in Arizona, I loved seeing the snow covered woods. Laura's Christmas was so humble and different from my own experience. It intrigued me that she, her sister, and her cousins could be so happy with only receiving a stick of peppermint candy and mittens. Laura, however, also received a doll. I remember feeling happy that she got something special, but I always wondered why her sister Mary didn't also get a doll, for my brother and I have always gotten an equal amount of presents.

Christmas is approaching and Laura and her family are preparing delicious food for the holiday. On Christmas Eve, their aunt, uncle, and cousins join them at their house. The kids play outside in the snow and go to bed early in preparation for Santa's visit. The following morning, they wake up to full stockings. They enjoy Christmas day together inside by the warm fire. What a fun family tradition, indeed!

This book (and other books in the series) might best be used at the early elementary level. It would be great to use during the holidays. Students can learn about different families' traditions and share their own family traditions. Additionally, it would be a great mentor text for teaching plot.

As I mentioned before, I attempted to re-read The Little House books to my grandchildren, but found the descriptions of hunting, preparing meat, etc. too disturbing for them as well as myself! I wish I could have skimmed through those parts, but I am not one to censor books so I just decided to abandon them for now and perhaps try again when the children are older. However, this little book allowed us to enjoy the simple sweetness of Laura & her family, learn a little about their holiday traditions without the raw, upsetting parts, ha-ha! The illustrations were lovely, the length of the story was just right for preschoolers or antsy elementary schoolers who just need a quiet, short bedtime story.

A great way to introduce young readers to the Little House books.

a good break down of the classic little house on the prairie stories

This series is a treasure to share with your littles.

I love this book about an old fashion pioneer Christmas. I loved little house on the Prairie books when I was a little girl. The Christmas specials were always my favorite. The little cousins name is Peter.

Can't beat these sweet illustrations that help me to understand what the book is referring to.

I loved the book. The picture book was pretty great too. I think this is a great little series to begin getting young readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House series. It is just a great tribute to a truly fascinating time in American history.