SM

A simple but joyful birthday for little Laura in the Big woods shows us what a 5th birthday must have been like. Family, hand made gifts that were sewn or whittled and yummy homemade treats. A humbling yet meaningful experience is described by Laura Inglills Wilder.

I am torn when it comes to this newish Little House series. On the one hand, I am a champion of tradition and the original series holds such a fond place in both my memory and heart that I am instantly leery of any knock-off. On the other hand, there remains the possibility that these books will introduce a young generation to Laura and her adventures and that this positive association will lead the child to investigate the original series on her own (yes, I know boys may like these too but, come on, let's be real, the majority of the readers will be young girls.) Nonetheless, I maintain the argument that children can be read to at a higher level than they are able to read and, thus, there is no need for an abbreviated, watered-down version. After all, aren't Clif's Notes for students who either didn't have the time or make the time to read the text? My musings aside, this particular story only earns a so so accompanied by a shrug, "It's okay."
My suggestion would be to read aloud to kids from the real Little House series and give them these to peruse on their own time. I know I always like to carry around a book with me and these illustrated versions make wonderful carrying companions.

A Little House Birthday (My First Little House Books) / adapted from The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Doris Ettlinger -- New York : HarperCollins Publishers, c1997. (32 pages)

SUMMARY: Couped up in the cabin for several winter days, Laura is running out of things to do. And then a special day comes when Pa tells here today is her birthday and the whole family celebrates.

REVIEW: A simple adaptation of events from Laura Ingalls Wilder's biographical books. The illustrations by Doris Ettlinger is very reminiscent of the one's created by Garth Willams in the classic longer versions. I enjoyed them, but I think they make a better supplement to the original story that can be read aloud to younger children.

6/13/18 Read with the GTC kids
7/22/20 Read with Julia