Below are some of the books I’ve been reading this month; note that the following may contain spoilers:

Letters from Father Christmas, by J. R. R. Tolkien, edited by Baillie Tolkien – This beautiful collection of surviving letters from Tolkien (writing mainly as Father Christmas) to his children is very fun and would be a great read aloud. In it, the reader meets Father Christmas, the North Polar Bear, and other fun characters.

The First Four Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder – The ninth book in the Little House series, is more contemplative than the other books. It follows Laura and Almanzo’s first years as a married couple which are filled with tragedy and heartache (the loss of a child) and frustrations and difficulties that accompany farming life. Nevertheless, their perseverance and the support they receive from Laura’s family resonate throughout the work. This is a great read aloud.

These Happy Golden Years, by Laura Ingalls Wilder – The eighth book in the Little House series takes the reader into Laura’s years as a teacher and seamstress. The reader spends a bit more time with Almanzo Wilder and is able to watch their three year long courtship. I really enjoyed this book. There were a few sad bits (a woman Laura stays with is going a bit mad whilst on a homestead with her husband and young son and a child dies because of a tornado) but for the most part it is a happy book. As I finished reading it, it made me want to read the Anne of Green Gables series. This is a great read aloud.