Little Town on the Prairie

By: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Narrated by: Cherry Jones

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

The little settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. Laura is growing up, and she goes to her first evening social. Mary is at last able to go to a college for the blind. Best of all, Almanzo Wilder asks permission to walk home from church with Laura. And Laura, now 15 years old, receives her certificate to teach school.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts.

©1941, 1969 Little House Heritage Trust (P)2005, 2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Review of Little Town on the Prairie

This story is great and engaging! I love Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is a talented writer.
However, what I disliked about this performance was Cherry Jones as the narrator. Her voice is too raspy, too harsh and too loud. It is very hard to listen to her.

Narrator could’ve done with less twang...

I’m a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and have never understood why audio productions weren’t widely available, so I was very excited to see the whole series appear BUT I don’t understand why the narrator went in the voice direction (particularly for Laura and Pa) that she did.
Laura was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Minnesota and South Dakota—I’m not aware of any very strong regional accent from those places (the author doesn’t do a Minnesota accent at all, it’s a very definite homespun twang), and with the emphasis throughout on proper grammar and her mother having been a teacher, and the lack of ‘local color’/slang words in the text, I’m just perplexed as to why the narrator/director recorded it that way. (I did go back and check the narrators other work, in case that’s just her normal speaking voice, and it’s not, so this was a stylistic choice)
The accent/speaking style is evident in the sample, so just be aware that it doesn’t (as I thought it might) diminish through the text or kind of grow on you (at least it didn’t on me). I finished the audio but it annoyed me mildly throughout.
I’m just disappointed because sometimes audio can add so much to a text, particularly one I’d share with my kids. On the plus side, I do like the inclusion of fiddle music and the song excerpts being actually sung (the narrator does a good job with those, I will say—it adds something hearing a tune rather than just seeing the text printed). Her forced (unnecessarily) accent just makes this one I wouldn’t whole-heartedly recommend as I would a fantastic production.

excellent

if you haven't, make sure your get the whole series. I wish I had read or listened when younger!

Little Town on the Prairie

I so enjoy reading all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I enjoy reading about how the town folks entertained each other.

Another Laura Ingalls Winner

If you could sum up Little Town on the Prairie in three words, what would they be?

Will not disappoint.

What did you like best about this story?

The detail and descriptions....I can picture everything.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's hard to pick a favorite scene. I loved the entire book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I think the title works...

wonderful

everything was great. ty for the enjoyment. I have always enjoyed her books just don't have the patience to sit and read. this was heaven sent.

Laura's Spirit Shines Through It All!

Ah, Laura's growing up! DeSmet has become the "Little Town on the Prairie", and here she finds her first job (rather, it finds her). Though the work is tiring, she happily does it: anything so that Mary can go to the college for the blind in Vinton.
The book is so filled with Laura's spirit: working, sticking up for little sister Carrie even though it gets her into trouble with the flailing and resentful Miss Wilder, sticking up for her very self when the wicked Nellie Olsen re-enters her life, fighting to keep the corn crop safe, and most wonderfully: the gaiety she finds in a life in town. There are literary societies, sociables, birthday parties. Oh, what fun!
But what is the young Mr. WIlder doing escorting her home? And oh how wonderful those two brown Morgan horses of his are!
Cherry Jones breathes wonderful life into the text: Ma's smiles, Pa's twinkling eyes, Laura's enthusiasm all come through with her wonderful narration.
One note: By now, you've discovered that these books will have you talking about the narrative in historical context. I.e. Yes, the west was settled by pushing Native Americans out and the racism therein. In this book, you'll be explaining "Darkies". Kinda touchy stuff, but you can manage, yes?

3 of 8 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Cherry Jones brings Laura ingles to life. I love how simple things where on the prairie and that they could get such joy out of the simplest things. Sharing a calling card or getting an autograph and a note from your glass mates. Wonderful way in bringing this part of the country to life. Other books that will get you into the prairie spirit are, “My Antonia” “Owl on Every Post” and Worst Hard Time”

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book!!!

I think it's cool how different it is for almanzo than Laura. The only thing is I feel bad for Mary😟 cool book we used t o listen to it on long car trips😎

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Happy to share the laura ingalls books with my kids and read again myself

I am happy to have a way to listen to these books as a family, but I would prefer another narrator. She does a good job with the different voices, but I had to take breaks since I just really don’t like her voice.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful