FARMER BOY

FARMER BOY by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Illustrated by Garth Williams

Some of my kids love The Little House Series. In fact, one would tell you it's her favorite childhood series. They were the books that stayed on the shelf by her bed, and she reread them constantly. But I also have kids on the other side. One in particular probably frowned her whole way through Little House in the Big Woods a few years ago.  When it was time to try again I reached for Farmer Boy, and we had much better success.

Farmer Boy is the story of Almanzo Wilder's childhood, and it has a completely different air to it than the rest of the books in the series. First of all, we just have to talk about the food they eat. I can't tell you how many times my daughter looked at me and said, "I'm hungry!" as we read through the chapters. Almonzo's Mom, Alice, and Eliza Jane know how to keep the family fed! Second, Almonzo has some serious scrapes that kids can appreciate reading about. Third, Almanzo loves the farming life, and the tales that involve his personal animals are great for animal loving kids! If you have a kiddo that struggles with the series and you want to get at least one in, I'd recommend it be this one!