Little House on the Prairie Books in Order (Publication & Chronological Reading Guide)

Little House on the Prairie Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide

The Little House books are some of the most beloved American stories ever written. Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the series is based on her real childhood growing up on the American frontier during the late 1800s.

These books have been cherished by generations of families and remain especially popular with homeschool readers and families building a classic home library.

Many readers ask:

What is the correct order to read the Little House books?

Below you'll find the publication order, which is the way most readers experience the series.

Little House Books in Publication Order

This is the order the books were originally published.

  1. Little House in the Big Woods (1932)

  2. Farmer Boy (1933)

  3. Little House on the Prairie (1935)

  4. On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)

  5. By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)

  6. The Long Winter (1940)

  7. Little Town on the Prairie (1941)

  8. These Happy Golden Years (1943)

These books follow the childhood and young adulthood of Laura Ingalls as her family moves across the American frontier.

Little House Books in Chronological Order

Some readers prefer to read the books in the order of Laura’s life.

  1. Little House in the Big Woods

  2. Farmer Boy

  3. Little House on the Prairie

  4. On the Banks of Plum Creek

  5. By the Shores of Silver Lake

  6. The Long Winter

  7. Little Town on the Prairie

  8. These Happy Golden Years

Because the books were written to follow Laura's life story, the chronological order is very similar to the publication order.

How Many Little House Books Are There?

There are eight main books in the Little House series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

These books tell the story of her childhood growing up in pioneer America and the challenges her family faced while settling new land.

What Is the First Little House Book?

The first book in the series is:

Little House in the Big Woods

This story introduces Laura as a young girl living with her family in a log cabin in Wisconsin.

What Is the Most Famous Little House Book?

The most famous book in the series is likely:

Little House on the Prairie

This story follows Laura's family as they move west and settle on the Kansas prairie.

The book later inspired the well-known Little House on the Prairie television series.

Why the Little House Books Are Still Popular

The Little House series has remained popular for nearly a century because it captures the spirit of early American life.

The books explore themes such as:

  • family and resilience

  • frontier life

  • hard work and perseverance

  • faith and gratitude

For many families, these stories provide a meaningful window into American history and pioneer life.

Perfect for Homeschool Literature

Because of their historical setting and engaging storytelling, the Little House books are frequently included in homeschool literature programs.

They help students learn about:

  • pioneer history

  • westward expansion

  • daily life in the 1800s

While also enjoying an engaging story.

Building a Classic Home Library

The Little House books are considered essential for many home libraries. Their timeless storytelling and historical value make them a wonderful series to read together as a family.

Be sure to check out the tens of thousands of books on our website!

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