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Little House Books in Order.

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Little House in the Big Woods (1932)

Start with Little House in the Big Woods (1932) and read in publication order.

Quick Answer

Start with Little House in the Big Woods (1932) and read in publication order. Each book follows Laura Ingalls and her family and can mostly be enjoyed on its own, though Laura grows up across the series.

The complete reading order for the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Where to start

Start with Little House in the Big Woods (1932) and read in publication order. Each book follows Laura Ingalls and her family and can mostly be enjoyed on its own, though Laura grows up across the series.

  • •Farmer Boy (1933) is about Almanzo Wilder's childhood and is largely standalone from the Ingalls family story, so it can be skipped or read at any point.
  • •The First Four Years (1971) was published after Wilder's death and is sometimes not counted as part of the series, so it is marked optional. On the Way Home (1962) and West from Home (1974) are her diary and letters, also optional.

Publication Reading Order11 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Little House in the Big Woods

Pub: 1932
2

Farmer Boy

Pub: 1933

Plot details hidden until you finish "Little House in the Big Woods".

3

Little House on the Prairie

Pub: 1935

Plot details hidden until you finish "Farmer Boy".

4

On the Banks of Plum Creek

Pub: 1937

Plot details hidden until you finish "Little House on the Prairie".

5

By the Shores of Silver Lake

Pub: 1939

Plot details hidden until you finish "On the Banks of Plum Creek".

6

The Long Winter

Pub: 1940

Plot details hidden until you finish "By the Shores of Silver Lake".

7

Little Town on the Prairie

Pub: 1941

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Long Winter".

8

These Happy Golden Years

Pub: 1943

Plot details hidden until you finish "Little Town on the Prairie".

9

The First Four Years

Pub: 1971Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "These Happy Golden Years".

10

On the Way Home

Pub: 1962Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The First Four Years".

11

West from Home

Pub: 1974Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "On the Way Home".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read Little House in?

Start with Little House in the Big Woods (1932) and read in publication order. Each book follows Laura Ingalls and her family and can mostly be enjoyed on its own, though Laura grows up across the series.

How many books are in Little House?

8 main books, published 1932–1943, plus 3 side stories.

Can I read Little House out of order?

It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.

Which books in Little House are prequels, novellas or side stories?

"The First Four Years", "On the Way Home", "West from Home". Each is placed in the reading order below.