Children’s Book Monday: The Long Winter

17 Dec 2007 2 Comments

by Anna in Children's Book Monday

The Long Winter
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Illustrated by Garth Williams

It seems so foreign to us today to view winter as a time of survival. For most of us, winter is not much different than any other time of the year, except for a few inconveniences such as shoveling the driveway or higher heating bills. When a big storm hits, we can plan ahead to enjoy a cozy day indoors with hot chocolate and a good book or movie. However, winter has not always been viewed so kindly by people in the past…

We’ve been reading The Long Winter aloud as a family and all of us have been fascinated by it. If you’re not familiar with the Little House series of books, they are the true account of the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family. The books take place in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s. Although all of the books in the series are wonderful, it is not necessary to read the whole series to understand and enjoy this book.

I believe that there is nothing more effective at making someone thankful for what they have than to see someone who has little or nothing. In The Long Winter, we have the opportunity to share in the struggle of the Ingalls family as they try to survive through 7 months of blizzards during the winter of 1880-1881.

When the storms start in October and continue on through the rest of the “fall” season, the family starts out in high spirits. With a crackling stove to warm their bodies and hearty songs such as “We’ll Weather the Blast” to warm their spirits, the first several months are bearable.

As the long winter drags on, however, things begin to be more difficult. All of the coal and all of the food runs out in town. The townspeople then learn that the train that would bring them coal will not be able to make it through to them until better weather comes, whenever that may be.

The blizzards continue on and on. They not only face hunger and cold, but also the more subtle challenges of fear, dreariness, boredom and isolation. How do the Ingalls’ survive? Well, I won’t spoil the book if you haven’t read it, but they call upon their character traits of determination and resourcefulness to find a way.

This is a wonderful winter read-aloud for families. It has led to many discussions in our home as we ponder questions such as:

What would we do if we lost power for a week or two due to a winter storm?

How did people have to plan for winter differently than we do today?

What would our attitudes be in the Ingalls’ situation? How were they able to keep their spirits up in dismal circumstances?

Are the things that we consider to be “essentials” really essential for survival or even happiness?

If you have never read this book or series, I highly recommend them. If you have read this book before, now might be the time to pull it out, cozy up with someone you love and remind yourself of all the blessings you have today.

Children’s Book Monday is hosted by Elise at A Path Made Straight. Please stop by her blog as she or a guest may be reviewing a book that just might become your new favorite!

This will be my last Children’s Book Monday for the year – I’ll be back with more great children’s books in 2008!

Happy reading!

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