OLD TOWN GRN GROVES (Little House)
Ready-to-Read Series
What’s inside...
After grasshoppers ruin the crops, eight-year-old Laura Ingalls and her family leave Plum Creek and move to Burr Oak, Iowa, where they experience life in a small town and help manage a hotel. 75,000 first printing.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
164 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the town in the story special? How do the people and places contribute to its charm?
Can you describe how the main character feels about their home? What do you love about our home?
How do the seasons change in Old Town Green Groves? What's your favorite season, and why?
What kind of adventures would you like to have in a place like Old Town Green Groves?
How do the townsfolk support each other in the book? Can you think of ways we help our neighbors or friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize by asking them to draw their favorite scene or character from the book.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing similarities and differences between your community and the Old Town Green Groves.
Focus on the feelings expressed in the book and ask your child how they would feel in similar situations, fostering empathy and understanding.
Use descriptive language from the book to build your child’s vocabulary, asking them to explain words or phrases in their own words.
After reading, continue the conversation by planning a family activity that aligns with an event from the story, enhancing connection to the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Nature
Explanation: The book vividly describes the groves, gardens, and the overall environment, emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and appreciate the natural world around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community
Explanation: The story highlights interactions among residents of Old Town, showing how communities support and enrich individual lives.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of participating in community activities and forming positive relationships with neighbors.
Example Lesson: Value of Simplicity
Explanation: Through the portrayal of a simple, yet content life in Old Town, the book promotes the joy found in simple pleasures.
Real-World Application: Children learn to find happiness in simple activities and to appreciate what they have, rather than longing for material excess.
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: As seasons change in Old Town, characters adapt to different circumstances, teaching resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that change is a natural part of life and adapting to it can be a positive experience.