The kids have been studying the pioneer times for a bit now. We've read and re-read the Little House series, they practically have them memorized. I found a copy of Caddie Woodlawn, and read that to them for a new perspective on the days our country was being built. Their curiosity was still so strong about what that must have been like, I did what I said I'd never do; I checked out the Little House TV series for them to watch.
I always had mixed feelings about the show, even as a kid, because while the characters were lovable and the values so good, they just weren't true to the books. I am such a purist when it comes to my books, I hate for someone to mess with a good story. And my children have inherited that tendency...I thought at best this will be a compare/contrast session, a good test for their memories of what really happened as Laura wrote it (and on a side note, I bought a biography of Laura that tells how even she played with the facts of the story of her life in order to make interesting stories that would fly off the bookshelves).
The experience is turning out to be quite a bit different from what I expected. My first impulse while watching is to giggle; it is really incredibly cheesy, in a way I think only Michael Landon could accomplish. And I'm finding it adorable, my kids are enthralled, and the good values shine through. I'm sorry for being so cynical about it, and amazed to catch myself getting choked up over and over again.
The other thing is, whenever I hear the kids getting critical--"That never happened in the book!"--I realize; this series wasn't only about the experience of Laura Ingalls Wilder; they are telling a tale of pioneer life, and the liberties they've taken reflect the different experiences of many people during that time. I think after all, Laura would be amused, and not mind at all that they made so many changes. And I'm sure Laura would approve of the good old fashioned family values--the show just oozes with love for your neighbor, with a good dose of mischief thrown in to keep it fun.
The only thing that still bothers me is, Jack was a brindle bulldog, not a sheepdog!