The dog, which has been trotting in the shadow of the wagon for maybe a hundred miles, lays down to rest. The family has just moved from Indian territory to western Minnesota. Pa does a little negotiating and ends up trading the horses that helped them move for the sod hut of a Norwegian farmer who is ready to move farther west. So they begin their life at the new home. The delights of childhood leisure are described, not so much reminiscing as the matter-of-fact way that a child who simply enjoyed it would tell.

This mouthwatering book isn't about Laura. It is about her future husband, Almanzo Wilder, and told through his eyes. He works (hard) on his father's sucessful farm in upstate New York. As would be expected from the perspective of a hardworking young boy the book lingers on FOOD. They ate pretty well too! They have fresh fruits and vegatables, they make their own butter (some of which they sell for – about a buck a pound! – imagine that). The pies, the meat etc. etc. etc. Each is described just well enough that you want to make some for yourself.