I am ready to let go of the dream that either of my children will ever read the complete boxed set of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie — yes, I mean the collection that I purchased before they were born and had planned to read aloud to them while they played quietly with solid wooden toys.
jane, candid 
I remember the joy of watching my son when he was little playing with wooden toys: a clown puzzle from one of my oldest friends and a fire engine from my sister. These both still sit on the shelf in his room, generating warm memories of a little boy, pride in the young man he has become, and hope for the father he might some day be. Thank you for the wooden puzzle my friend. J-
Hi With-a-Y, great to see you here! This is such a sweet thought, and memory, and dream for the future for our “little” boys. Thank you!
I, too, will admit that my daughter and I read them together when she was small. I thought this series would an serve as an introduction into the world of Anne of Green Gables, followed by my beloved Jane Austen. Not to be–my 14 year-old daughter prefers Kurt Vonnegut!
Debbie, now that is a sweet picture, of you two reading together!
I hate to rub it in, but my daughter got the same boxed set for Christmas and has worked her way through most of them.
As for “solid wooden toys”, my mother made sure her grandchildren had quite a few around too. For example the quality wooden blocks she got them for my oldest son’s first birthday. Did you know that my son has a friend who, at 8-years old, could throw a wooden block hard enough to create a hole all the way through the brand new drywall in our basement!?!
Be careful what you wish for!
Way to go, Kris. Now you made me so jealous I want to throw a wooden toy at… something. And don’t worry — the fantasy of wooden toys lasted only a little longer than the book series, because The Little One always pitched them around the room!
So sad. I adore Wilder and that series.
Me too, Darrelyn. Luckily, they really are voracious readers, just not for that author. Sigh. My fantasy had involved them listening to the stories with rapt attention “Please, mommy! One more chapter of Laura!”