Farmer Boy is the second of the
Little House books Sigourney and I have read together. She didn't enjoy this one as much because Laura's not part of the story. She kept asking me to return to her favorite illustrations from [b:Little House in the Big Woods|8337|Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)|Laura Ingalls Wilder|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1266449708s/8337.jpg|1200805]!
For me,
Farmer Boy was a pretty awesome read. I adored the relationship between Father and Almanzo. Sure, there's some tough love there, but Almanzo's love and regard for his dad only strengthens. He learns quickly how to become a farmer at the early ages of 9 and 10. I admit it, I got a bit weepy over the closing interaction between Father, Mother and Almanzo at the dinner table. It's obvious that Almanzo's going to grow into a fine man. Laura chose wisely!
One reason for my enjoyment of the series thus far is its deliberate pace. LIW takes her time describing people, places, things, events, relationships, smells, you name it. From threshing grain to cobbling shoes, from bringing bullies down a peg to making mince meat pies and bobsleds, Wilder paints a thorough picture of each happening. My mouth watered over her description of Christmas dinner, and I felt the differences in temperature between outdoor and indoor spaces in winter. The attention to details makes reading the
Little House series an almost contemplative experience. I suspect I'll find all the
Little House read-alongs replenishing. I liked 'em plenty as a child, but might even like them more as a clergyperson and parent.