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Little House in the Big Woods

(2007, Non-Fiction - Autobiography, Written by Laura Wilder, Illustrated by Garth Williams)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    75th anniversary of a favorite pioneer story.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The story is heavy on lessons for kids on right from wrong and the value of hard work. An African American man is called a "darkey" in a song.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Scenes where a gun is used or visible, typical for the time and location. Laura describes the preparation and slaughter of farm animals: skinning, cooking, etc. There are some stories of wild animal attacks. Children are spanked. A boy is stung by hundreds of yellow jackets.

  • Sex :

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adult men smoke pipes, typical for the period.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Little House in the Big Woods

Parents need to know that there are detailed descriptions of animal slaughter in this book. Children are also spanked when they misbehave, and one boy is stung by hundreds of yellow jackets.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about pioneer life and how they survived. Why was hunting necessary? How did the Ingalls entertain themselves without TV and other modern distractions? How do you think you'd fare without technology?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    hmph11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0

    pretty good

    cute book!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Has useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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