May. 24, 2007 - Audio Book Review -- Little House on the Prairie
About the Book
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite series from childhood. I am sure I read the books ten or more times each in elementary school. I know most people recognize the value of these books; but would like to offer these comments in regard to questions I have received. 1. Aren't Little House on the Prairie books just for girls? Answer: No! First of all, these books are full of anecdotes about Pa, a kind, gentle, disciplinarian who loved his girls, worked hard and walked miles to provide for them and always put his family first. What a role model! Boys will find fascinating accounts of how to make a door for a log cabin, how to make fish traps, all kinds of little details about the things Pa does. Secondly, the third book in the series (Farmer Boy) is the wonderful account of Almanzo Wilder and his antics -- this one is clearly more of a boy book then it is a girl book. Finally, the series itself is a far cry from the TV show; so if your only exposure so far has been the TV version, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. 2. Are Little House books o.k. for Christians since they are all about a good family completely devoid of any mention of Christ. Answer: This is a great question, and one each family will have to grapple with. As I listen as an adult; I notice many references to God and at least one reference to salvation that I never noticed as a child. The salvation referrence comes in Little Town on the Prairie as Laura and Mary are on one of their walks out on the claim. Laura has just commented about how different Mary is and then proceeds to talk about how Mary is sure about (her salvation.) It is all implied, not spoken directly, but it is still clearly there. I am ashamed to note how much of the book of Psalms Laura had memorized at the age of 7 or 8. While references to the Scripture are not overt in the book; it must have been read often and heard well to be memorized to such a great degree! Also, I will leave with this thought, since almost none of the books in this set of reviews have overt references to Christ, I wonder if we would rob our children of all the joys of classic literature written for their age in the name of protection? Is it not, in some small measure, the love of reading fostered by these books which will draw them to God's word? I, myself, have not suffered from a lack of Christian focused literature now that I am an adult. Literature written full of Christ for a young age is limited and often poorly written and boring. Elsie Dinsmore would be the one exception I have found. Of course, the example of the parent is tantamount, and of course, care must be taken. But, overprotection is as grievous an error.
About the Reader
Cherry Jones is already reviewed as a reader under Because of Winn Dixie; and I will repeat myself. Ms. Jones is a masterful reader, one of the very best in our opinion. We love her voices for each character, her slightly off key singing for Pa's music, which is on key when it is Laura joining in. Her talent is very clear and because she reads each book in the series, the effect is a continuous masterpiece. 
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