Little House in the Highlands

Who has read the children's book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder? I have read them as a child and now even as an adult and I enjoy them very much. The books by her are very much different yet the same as the 'Little House' television show back in the 1970's on NBC. The program was based on the series of books by Laura especially the one entitled 'On the Banks of Plum Creek' and some of the volumes in what are referred to as 'The Laura Years'.

It was only a few years ago that I discovered the 'prequels' to the 'Laura Years'. These series cover Laura's great-grandmother, Martha Morse, her grandmother, Charlotte Tucker, her mother Caroline Quiner then came her books the 'Laura Years' and there is a sequel her daughter's 'The Rose Years'. I am going to write a series of book reviews on these series of books of seven each, but the Martha and Charlotte years for I could only find the first four books of each of these series, but I do have the whole series of Caroline, Laura and Rose. In my reviews there may even be a school lesson for teachers in the classroom or even home schoolers to use. Each of the books have a family tree that could be used as a sample for several lessons in a schoolroom. I hope you enjoy them.

The Martha Years Little House in the Highlands

Melissa Wiley and illustrated by Renee Graef

ISBN: 0-06-440712-8 (paperback)

Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.

271 pages

The story of Laura's great-grandmother, Martha Morse is one that is if it can be reminicent of Laura's childhood. In reading this very first book there are similarities to the books of Laura's life and the writers of these books followed the same 'recipe' as Laura did when she wrote hers. The story of Martha Morse as a very young child who enjoyed herself immensely with her doll, Flora and even doing some of her daily chores for she had quite the imagination.

Martha's story starts out describing the land of Scotland and the village where Martha lives. Martha is a true child who would rather play than learn some various skills that we all should know. The story goes on to describe her home and the various characters that make up her village, such as Auld Mary and Laird Alroch. Martha is also one that likes to hear stories from the 'Wee Folk' of the land and take the lessons they teach and apply them to her and her family. Martha learns to live with her sister Grisie, Mollie and her brothers Duncan and Alisdair and the things that brothers and sisters do to each other.

Throughout the book Martha shares stories of the past from her Mum to Auld Mary as well as her father. The stories of their past and what they learned from them. In writing this first book Melissa Wiley has taught me the lay of the land which is Scotland with all its mystery and rituals and traditions like various christening ways and doing various kinds of chores and the protection of the house through a character like 'The Brownie, Tullie Grayshanks for if Cook did not leave a snack he would make sure things went wrong. Little House in the Highlands is a book of teaching and learning for all ages.

Teachers of all kinds from the early education level to even the high school level and beyond. These books could lead to lesson in World history and even geography. Other lessons could be lessons in English composition and literature. The little stories throughout this book could be used to teach about traditions and heritage.

To be continued with the second book of 'The Martha Years'.