Little Houses: Laura Ingalls Wilder Homesites Review

When you are building a literature-rich homeschool, few authors invite children into history quite like Laura Ingalls Wilder. Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Eliza Westfield, illustrated by Kate Lozovska, is a beautifully crafted companion book that brings the world of the Little House series to life in a unique and meaningful way. This book is part of the Her Story Travels: In the Footsteps of Literary Heroines series and is a natural fit for any Little House on the Prairie Unit Study in your homeschool. I hope you enjoy this Little Houses: Laura Ingalls Wilder Homesites Review

Little Houses: Laura Ingalls Wilder Homesites Review

What Is Little Houses About?

Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder takes readers on a geographical and historical journey through the real places Laura Ingalls Wilder lived. Rather than retelling the Little House stories themselves, this book traces Laura’s life by visiting each homesite mentioned in the series — from the Big Woods of Wisconsin to Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri.

The narrative blends biography, history, and gentle travel writing, showing how each move shaped Laura’s life, writing, and understanding of home. It helps children connect the fictionalised world of the Little House books with the real historical settings behind them.

Why This Book Works So Well for Homeschool

For homeschooling parents, this book shines because it supports literature-based learning while naturally integrating geography, history, and narration.

Strengths for a Little House on the Prairie Unit Study

• Chronological clarity
  Children can clearly see where Laura lived and in what order, something that can be confusing when reading the novels alone.
• Geography integration
  Each homesite invites map work, route tracing, and discussion of why families moved westward.
• Gentle historical context
  The book introduces westward expansion, pioneer life, and settlement without overwhelming younger readers.
• Biographical insight
  Students gain a deeper understanding of Laura as a real person, not just a literary character.
• Beautiful illustrations
  Kate Lozovska’s artwork adds warmth and emotional depth, making the book especially engaging for visual learners.

How We Use This Book in Our Homeschool

In our homeschool, this book works best as a bridge text. We read it alongside or just after reading the corresponding Little House novel. For example, after finishing Little House in the Big Woods, we revisit the Wisconsin homesite in Little Houses to reinforce location and historical context.

It also works wonderfully as:

• A morning time read-aloud
• A geography lesson anchor
• A unit study spine connecting multiple Little House books
• A narration and discussion resource

Because the text is accessible and engaging, it works well across a wide age range, making it ideal for family learning.

Educational Themes Covered

This book naturally supports multiple homeschool subjects:

• American history (westward expansion, pioneer life)
• Geography (states, travel routes, land features)
• Literature (author study, historical fiction)
• Social studies (family life, migration, settlement)
• Character study (resilience, adaptability, creativity)

It pairs exceptionally well with hands-on projects such as map tracing, timeline building, and pioneer-style crafts.

Who Is This Book Best For?

Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder is ideal for:

• Families doing a Little House on the Prairie Unit Study
• Literature-based homeschoolers
• Charlotte Mason–inspired homeschool families
• Elementary and early middle school students
• Multi-age homeschool households

It is not a replacement for the Little House novels, but a rich companion that deepens understanding and appreciation.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to add depth, clarity, and historical richness to your Little House on the Prairie Unit Study, Little Houses: A Journey Through the Homesites of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a wonderful addition to your homeschool bookshelf.

It invites children to see Laura Ingalls Wilder not only as a beloved author, but as a real girl who lived, moved, struggled, and found home in many places — a powerful reminder that stories grow out of real lives.