With Netflix bringing Little House on the Prairie back to screens in a brand-new adaptation, there’s never been a better time to revisit the books that inspired one of the most beloved family stories ever told. Rather than remaking the classic 1970s and ’80s TV series, Netflix’s version returns to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s semi-autobiographical novels, introducing a new generation to life on the American frontier. Whether you’re reading the books for the first time or rediscovering them because of the Netflix show, here’s the complete Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder in order, along with a quick guide to what happens in each one.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book series, in order
Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
The series begins in the forests of Wisconsin, where young Laura lives with Pa, Ma, sisters Mary and baby Carrie. Instead of dramatic adventures, the book celebrates everyday pioneer life like making butter, gathering maple syrup, preparing for winter, and spending evenings around Pa’s fiddle.
Farmer Boy (1933)
Although it’s the second published book, this story follows Almanzo Wilder, the boy who would later become Laura’s husband. Set on a prosperous farm in New York State, it offers a fascinating contrast to Laura’s own childhood.
Little House on the Prairie (1935)
Perhaps the best-known title in the series, this book follows the Ingalls family as they leave Wisconsin and build a new home on the Kansas prairie. Laura encounters new neighbours, dangerous wildlife, and the uncertainty of frontier life.
The novel also contains depictions of Native Americans that modern readers often discuss critically because they reflect the attitudes and stereotypes of their time. Many recent editions include historical context.
On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)
The family settles near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, where Laura starts school, makes friends, and occasionally gets into mischief. The book balances childhood adventures with the hardships of crop failures and swarms of grasshoppers.
By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)
After Mary loses her eyesight because of an illness, the Ingalls family moves to what is now South Dakota. Laura takes on more responsibility as the family helps establish a new settlement.
The Long Winter (1940)
Often considered one of Wilder’s finest books, this instalment recounts the brutal winter of 1880–81, when blizzards isolate the town for months, and food supplies run dangerously low.
The story is based on the real ‘Hard Winter’, one of the harshest recorded winters in the Dakota Territory.
Little Town on the Prairie (1941)
Life gradually returns to normal after the devastating winter. Laura enjoys school, joins the town’s literary evenings, earns her first wages, and begins preparing for adult life.
These Happy Golden Years (1943)
As Laura steps into her role as a teacher, Almanzo Wilder begins to court her. Their relationship unfolds with gentle romance, lighthearted humour, and genuine warmth, ultimately leading them to the altar.
The First Four Years (1971)
Unlike the earlier novels, this manuscript was discovered after Laura Ingalls Wilder’s death and published largely in its original form. It follows the newly married Laura and Almanzo as they face crop failures, illness, and personal tragedy during their first years together.
Because Wilder never revised the manuscript for publication, its style differs noticeably from the earlier books.
Hero and featured image credit: IMDb
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
