Santa Comes to Little House

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Renée Graef (Illustrator)

Christmas is coming to the little house on the prairie, but Laura and Mary Ingalls are worried. It's been raining for days now, and Laura is afraid that Santa Claus won't be able to travel without snow. Mary is afraid that Santa won't be able to find them so far away on the prairie. Both girls are sure the rain has made the creek rise too high for Santa to cross it.Two very sad little girls fall asleep on Christmas Eve. But on Christmas morning they awaken to a noise outside their log cabin door. Could it be Santa?

Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House On The Prairie has been treasured by children of all ages for generations. Now, for the first time ever, comes an illustrated edition of this complete and unabridged Christmas chapter taken directly from Wilder's beloved book. Little House artist Rene e Graef's rich paintings, combined with this heartwarming story, make this a new holiday classic for families to share year after year.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Historical, Historical Fiction, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Laura Ingalls Wilder was an American author, journalist, and educator whose "Little House" series transformed the arduous reality of the American frontier into a foundational pillar of children's literature. Born in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s childhood was a nomadic journey through the heart of a shifting nation. Her family moved across Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakota Territory—often staying just ahead of legal evictions or chasing the promise of fertile soil. These years were marked by extreme hardship, including the "Hard Winter" of 1880–81 in De Smet, South Dakota, where the family survived near-starvation. Despite the struggle, these experiences provided the raw material for her eight-volume record of pioneer life, a series that has since been translated into over forty languages.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Laura was anxious because Christmas was near; and Santa Claus and his reindeer could not travel without snow."

Laura and her family live in a lovely little house on the prairie, but while they have plenty of open land, they are far from society. And Santa Claus.

Laura is very worried about whether Christmas will happen. She knows her family doesn't have much money for presents, but at the very least Santa should get them something...but what if he cannot come? The creek is flooding ever higher, and with no snow - how could Santa come to their home?

Luckily, they had a kind neighbor, Mr. Edwards, who understood the children's plight and decided to lend a hand.

"Your little ones had to have a Christmas," Mr. Edwards replied.

This picture book is based entirely on the full Christmas chapter from Little House on the Prairie and it gets to me every time.

The very real worries of Laura, the bravery of Mr. Edwards, and the simple pleasures of celebrating Christmas with the whole family together. It's perfect.

There are quite a few of Little House picture books, most of them have similar illustration styles to the main book series but this one has something else. The characters are more realistic, and the colors warmer and more vibrant.

I like the new look of this picture book and I do hope we eventually get more like this!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classic illustrated by Graef is Santa Comes to Little House. This story always humbles us when we read about the joy and gratitude the girls feel when they receive their simple gifts. This is the perfect soothing story to read after a busy day of Christmas shopping or baking. This will put you in the mood for an old-fashioned Christmas!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. The girls loved that Santa came in a mule in the southwest.

A reminder of the beautiful gift of service and friendship and to be great full for what we have and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this one over a few bedtimes in December. My daughter enjoyed it. Kind of long for a kids picture book.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for the way it illustrates gratitude and appreciation for even the smallest of gifts. If your children have been gripped by the Gimmies, like to count the gifts they have waiting for them under the tree, and make endless wish lists for Santa/parents/grandparents, this is a book they need. The idea of savoring the smallest sweets to make them last longer, and of enjoying receiving necessities instead of just toys and entertaining items is a welcome one. I also love the message of a neighbor helping make another family’s Christmas magical and of opening doors to share the holiday with another person.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I want to read the original chapter in Little House on the Prairie to see how the story was modified. It's so refreshing to see how much joy simple gifts could bring in days gone by. Would any children be satisfied with receiving a "cups of their own" in this day and age?

Note to myself: Read this only after the kids already know the story of LH on the P. I want them to enjoy the chapter in context the first time they hear it.

[Lauren Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excerpt taken from “Little House on the Prairie” and as a heads up to parents, it discusses Santa not being able to come because there is no snow on the ground. If your kiddos believe in Santa this may cause issue since kids in this day and age believe Santa and his reindeer fly in the sleigh.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own. Oh the sweet, simple Christmas of days gone by.

[Kati Prejean · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. This would be eye-opening for many modern children, as it shows just how little the pioneers had. And how truly grateful they were for their few Christmas gifts!

[Little Seesaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Christmas adaption of a Little House Christmas. The art work is my favorite.

[Michael Medlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

sadness will hurt you

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly fantastic! I don't know why I never thought of reading the Christmas portion out of the Little House books before - but this is even better with such wonderful, colorful illustrations adorning each page.

This is a must read!

Ages: 4 - 10

Cleanliness: Has Santa Claus. Mentions passing by a saloon.

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[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, but I believe the best version is the original story from THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE (book 2 in the series), chapter 19. The description and tension of the original will keep children's attention, even without the illustrations. My GROWN children still love this story. It teaches contentment and gratitude with grace and beauty, without "preaching" to the reader. The ONLY reason I gave this picture book only 4 out of 5 stars is that I'd rather you read the full chapter in the original Little House book. When you're done, you'll wish you had Mr. Edwards as your neighbor too. If you have THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE book, then you already have this story on the bookshelf. Great for all ages.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story to read so close to Christmas when the little ones are setting their sights unrealistically high of "treasures" they'd like to Santa Claus to bring.

The unlikelihood of a visitor arriving safely under the weather conditions weighed heavily in the Ingalls home on Christmas Eve. Either way, in true Ingalls family fashion Christmas day is warm and cheery.

I loved for my children to see through this story how what seemed to be such simple gifts to them were quite grand to Mary and Laura. The emotion and gratitude for sacrifice, "abundance", and love of family and friends was strong and yet expertly subtle at the same time.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the chapter from Little House on the Prairie about Mr Edwards bringing Christmas for Laura and Mary. When it rained so hard and the creek was so high that even Santa Claus couldn't cross it. BUT Mr Edwards saw SC in town and he knew he had to make the trip so the girls could have Christmas. Very touching, moving story. And very beautifully illustrated. My almost 3 year old granddaughter will get the book from our stack of books and just look through the illustrations.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas story just like it was in the full book! Classic! Reminds kids of a simpler time, before Playstations and Ipads, when a kid was happy with a tin cup and some candy for Christmas. Classic.

[Tamsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic story in Laura's own words, beautifully illustrated. Gotta love it!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about joy and gratitude towards our biggest holiday. this book is very family friendly. this girl is waiting for her gift.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good because the children were expecting Santa to come but Santa couldn't come so he told someone else to take the presents all the way to their house and he was able to.