a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Mary Lynn

November 24th, 2008 at 9:28 am

Oh, I loved those books when I was a kid. I read and reread them a bunch of times. Nice to know kids are still interested in them. I’m looking forward to my kids being old enough to enjoy the Little House series and the Ann of Green Gables books.

2 | Marla

November 24th, 2008 at 10:13 am

A long time ago, I found a link to this page via Raising WEG, and thought that when Josephine is old enough to enjoy the Little House Books, that I’d like to be sure to talk about perspective with her:

http://www.oyate.org/books-to-avoid/littlehouse.html

I don’t want to “sanitize” Little House, and I realize that the posted account has also been dramatized — but I do plan on trying to talk about historical facts, fictions and differences in cultures when it comes time. I loved the books as a kid too – and remember being tantalized by the descriptions of the girls finding beads at a former campsite. My parents never read with me, or talked books with me – they’re just not readers. I’m grateful to have an almost-five year old who begged me to read from what I was reading myself (Life of Pi), and don’t want to miss the opportunity to teach. Even when I worked in vintage fashion and jewellery, I’d use the descriptions in the little house series of such things to date pictures and things I’d sell. For example, until about 1850, it was considered rude for women to show their ears – so when Caroline carefully made two smooth wings of hair over her ears for the dance in the Big Woods, that’s why. When Laura cut a fringe in her hair…oh, it’s amazing how it all comes back.

3 | Scatteredmom

November 24th, 2008 at 10:26 am

If you’re ever in Calgary go to Heritage Park. We took Jake there after reading the Little House series, and he was absolutely beside himself to see a cabin almost exactly like the one in the books, complete with the home made chess game.

Plus the real working bakery, candy shop, and horse drawn carriages helped, too. :)

We might just visit when we go to Calgary this Christmas.

4 | Carrie

November 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am

I buy the Little House books whenever I find them at used book shops – I have about half the collection now. I had the full set of paperbacks as a kid, and have no idea now what became of them – but I hope my daughter enjoys them as much as I did one day!

I still flip through These Happy Golden Years whenever I pass it by. :)