If there's one thing Little House on the Prairie fans love, it's events and gatherings that celebrate the show and the books. Especially this year where many of us are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder's birth. We love traveling to historical sites and locations, connecting with the actors, swapping trivia...
Today we are excited to bring you an in-depth look at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes in De Smet, South Dakota. This is part of our on-going series highlighting popular historic locations and sites related to Little House on the Prairie. If you are in the area during the summer, you will want to make sure to see the annual Laura...
Whether making papers stars, picking flowers, or sewing patchwork quilts, Laura and Mary learned and played through hands-on creativity. This gift guide is perfect for kids who enjoy playing, reading, and of course having fun!
Millions of people worldwide fell in love with the Ingalls family on the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series and the love remains strong today. This curated gift guide is for those who can’t get enough of Ma, Pa, Laura and the actors who played them on the show.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s pioneering stories have enthralled generations of readers. This curated gift guide is for those who seek to uncover more about her extraordinary life, writing, and legacy.
Laura Ingalls said it best, “home is the nicest word there is.” Add a cozy, prairie-inspired touch to your home with our décor ideas.
I was introduced to grace at an exceptionally young age. My sister and I landed the role of Baby Grace Ingalls as infants, and before long we responded to our new identity with ease. I’m still surprised how my toddler-self knew when to be Baby Grace and when to be Wendi. It’s safe to say, I don’t have many memories of our first three...
Books and articles by and about the actors who starred in the Little House on the Prairie TV series provide a behind-the-scenes look at the show and how it affected the lives of the people making it. Here is a brief overview of Red Tail Feathers: Dare to Discover the Beauty of Grace.Buy Now! Author: Wendi Lou LeePublisher:...
Our articles about recently-released books are great resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House books. Here is a brief overview about Pioneer Girl: The Path into Fiction. Buy Now! Author: Laura Ingalls WilderEditor: Nancy Tystad KoupalPublisher: South Dakota State Hist Society Pr; Annotated edition...
The Underground Reservation: Osage Oil explores the impacts that sudden wealth from the discovery of oil on their land had on the Oklahama Osage, making them financially better off than other Native Americans because of their tribally held oil and gas rights. This is an insightful study based on a variety of sources. Buy...
Meet our wonderful community of contributors who are passionate and knowledgeable about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House stories.
Laura Ingalls Wilder said, “All I have told is true, but it’s not the whole truth.” She was right – her Little House books provide a window into her experiences growing up in the 19th century amid the hardships of the Great Plains. But her life and legacy extend far beyond the books she wrote. Throughout her life, Wilder saved her early...
During long winter days, Laura and her sisters would stay inside. With no television, crafting would have been a quiet hobby to keep them busy. Whether crafting, sewing, quilting or creating, the Ingalls family would have created both ornaments for their home as well as necessary items like blankets and clothing. The craft books below...
From its first pilot broadcast, the "Little House on the Prairie" TV series has captivated audiences across the world. Fans of the show have helped it to live on, attending conventions and meeting with the stars to talk about their experiences. For their part, several of the cast members have documented their time on the show and their...
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s vast literary legacy has captivated readers of all ages. This specially curated list should help you find the perfect book for your Little House fan, no matter their age.Pre-Reading and Picture BooksMy First Little House Board Books: The very youngest readers can share in the Little House adventures with these...
Author and historian William Anderson was introduced to the Wilder books in elementary school, as were millions of other American children. Today, he is one of the foremost historians of the Ingalls family and his groundbreaking research has resulted in many books, which we have detailed below. Anderson also serves as a director of the...
Alicia Sanderson Edwards: "You forgot?"Isaiah Edwards: "Never, never! What was supposed to remember?"Alicia Sanderson Edwards: "We were going to have lunch together. I made sandwiches." Season 6, Episode 8Kyle Richards' Early Life and Career Kyle Richards was born on January 11, 1969. Kyle, along with her sisters, Kathy Hilton and...
James Cooper [to Albert]: Why didn’t you ever tell me you were an orphan?Albert Quinn Ingalls: It just never came up, I guess. Being an orphan, it’s not so bad.James Cooper: It’s bad enough. —Season 7, Episode 1Jason Bateman was born on January 14, 1969 in Rye, New York. His early life was fairly nomadic – his family lived in Boston,...
Our articles about recently released books are good resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of The Beautiful Snow: The Ingalls Family, The Railroads, and the Hard Winter of 1880-81. Buy Now! Author: Cindy WilsonPublisher: Beaver's Pond Press (February 7,...
There are many worthy organizations in the U.S. and around the world committed to fighting poverty, protecting the environment, providing access to education, and promoting economic development, peacekeeping initiatives, and health and well-being. We are pleased to highlight and celebrate the following inspiring organizations, our good...
Hester Sue: Just for the record, I have been married once and I don’t plan on being married again. Not to anyone. Not if he was the last man on Earth. But of course, you may call me “Hester Sue.” Joe (chuckles): Hester Sue, the town you’re going to ain’t nothin’ like St. Louis where there’s lots of colored folk. In Walnut Grove, as far...
Adam Kendall: You know what I like about this school?Mary Ingalls: No, what?Adam Kendall: I can kiss you in front of the entire class, and no one would ever know. —Season 5, Episode 4Linwood Boomer’s Early Life and Career Linwood Boomer was born on October 9, 1955, the third of four sons, and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia....
Mary Ingalls: God’s world isn’t fear and hate. It’s love, its understanding.Woman: Amen to that!Mary Ingalls: And learning is part of that understanding. —Season 4, Episode 15 “Whisper Country”Early Life and Career Born September 26, 1962, in Berkeley, California to James and Marion Anderson, [1] Melissa moved to southern California...
You know, an animal is no different than a person. It needs to be with someone who loves it. —Season 3, Episode 2 “Bunny”RICHARD BULL’S EARLY YEARS Richard Bull was born June 26, 1924 in Zion, Illinois about 50 miles north of Chicago. His family eventually moved to Chicago, which was great for Richard because “I was a movie nut. In the...
Perseverance isn’t just the willingness to work hard. It’s that plus the willingness to be stubborn about your own belief in yourself. —Merlin OlsenMerlin Olsen Early Years Born in Utah, Merlin Olsen was the second oldest of nine children, making for a busy and exciting home growing up. His parents often opened their home up to...
When you love somebody, it’s worth putting your pride behind you. —Caroline Ingalls, Season 4, Episode 9 – The High Cost of Being RightWhile there are many aspects and facets of love, from crushes, true romances, marriage and simple connections with one another, there are many episodes of “Little House on the Prairie” that teach us that...
Jenny Wilder: [to Laura] “You don’t have to drive me to school tomorrow. I’m gonna walk.”Laura Ingalls Wilder: “That’s an awfully long way. Are you sure?”Jenny Wilder: “I’ll make it. Believe me. I’ll make it." —Season 9 Episode 12, Marvin’s GardenEarly Years Shannen Doherty Shannen Doherty was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971. Her...
While the Ingalls family didn’t have many possessions, they delighted in selecting or making thoughtful gifts for each other. We celebrate that giving spirit with our Little House on the Prairie Gift Guide, which we update frequently. Below you will find seven unique gift guides for each Little House fan in your life. Gifts for the...
By about the late 2000s, I had lived a lot of life, but I hadn’t written any of it down. Even though I’d been in the middle of some of Hollywood’s most celebrated and controversial decades (the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s), it never occurred to me that anything I’d done or seen was worth putting on paper. And then several things began to make...
Mother says we’re not like the rest of the children. —Season 2, Episode 11, The GiftAlison Arngrim’s Early Years Alison Arngrim is a natural-born performer with a love for people and a gift for making them laugh. So, not surprisingly, she entered the entertainment field at a young age, starting out in commercials and bit parts and...
Ever wonder about the chronology of events in Laura’s life and the historical context surrounding her experiences? The two timelines below weave some of her major life events with interesting historical milestones in literature, politics, science, and technology.Interactive Timeline Below is the interactive timeline, which allows you to...
Imagine you are reading a book that you loved as a child, perhaps you are reading it to your young child, or that you are reading it for the very first time. You come across the words “the only good Indian was a dead Indian.” Do you put the book down in horror, shocked by the cultural insensitivity of the author? Do you decry the author...
Thanks to the cozy, warm, and affectionate portrayal of the Ingalls family across all kinds of media platforms around the world, many people think of Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, Carrie, Grace, Almanzo, and even Jack the bulldog as part of their family. However, that raises the question of what version of the Ingalls family people relate to...
For Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, there is nothing quite like going to the scene of the story. Every year—roughly May to October—thousands of fans descend upon the Midwestern spots the Ingalls family called home in Minnesota and South Dakota. Crowds are thick, particularly in July, when local actors perform Little House-based...
“There is no day, there is nothing I do as a producer that I don’t ask myself, on some level: What would Michael do?” —Dean Butler in an interview about his production careerWhen Dean Butler first appeared on the set of “Little House on the Prairie” to play Almanzo Wilder, he may not have known what he was getting into. His first day on...
Why don't you make a SHORT cake? How 'bout some SHORT ribs? Do we need any SHORTening? You know, you really oughta write a book - SHORT cuts to cooking! —Nellie Oleson, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, Part 1One of our favorite dynamics on "Little House on the Prairie" is the clashing personalities between Laura Ingalls and Nellie Oleson....
Laura Ingalls Wilder traveled extensively throughout Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, and beyond. We have compiled a list of the historic sites and museums related to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie, as well as other points of interest. Please click below to go directly to the listings in...
Caroline Ingalls: My home is where you are. And you and the children are my family. Charles Ingalls: Caroline Ingalls, I love you. —Pilot EpisodeWe may have fallen in love with her for her starring role as Caroline Ingalls, but Karen Grassle had a thriving career beyond that. Explore more about the amazing woman who captured our hearts...
Harriet Oleson: “Pride cometh before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall!” Proverbs 16:18 —Season 2, Episode 1 “The Richest Man in Walnut Grove”The Early Life of Katherine MacGregor Katherine “Scottie” MacGregor was born January 12, 1925, as Dorlee Deane McGregor in Glendale, California, [1] but grew up in Fort Collins,...
I’m often overwhelmed by the thought that what I have written is reaching an audience of forty or fifty million people in a single night. —Blanche Hanalis in The Television Writer’s HandbookEarly Life and Career of Blanche Hanalis Blanche Hanalis was born December 11, 1915, in Ohio, but grew up in the Chicago area. According to her...
Charles Ingalls: “If you want some advice from a friend, I’d say marry that woman.”Isaiah Edwards: “That’s the trouble with friends. They’re always trying to give you advice!" —Season 2, Episode 7 “Remember Me: Part 1”VICTOR FRENCH EARLY YEARS Victor French (born December 4, 1934) was inducted into the Great Western Performers Hall of...
Race and racism, like politics, can be thought of as the 3rd rail of American life and, because of the emotion surrounding them, discussions can get heated. Since they are not talked about enough, the complicated issues encompassing them, never really get solved. Not talking about race and racism doesn’t make them go away; in fact, not...
You can’t beat hickory-cured ham. —Little House in the Big WoodsIn Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods, Pa and Uncle Henry butcher a wild pig. It’s fascinating to read how not one piece of the pig is wasted. Remember when Pa takes the pig’s bladder and blows it up like a balloon? It may sound gross to us today, but the...
Penelope: “I don't know what I ever saw in you. You are just like him.”Andy: “Thanks. I will take that as a compliment.” —Season 6, Episode 20 “Wilder and Wilder"Little House HeroesIf ever there were icons of perseverance in the face of adversity, it would be brothers Patrick and Matthew Laborteaux (or Labyorteaux; they used both...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of The Rediscovered Writings of Rose Wilder Lane, Literary Journalist. Buy Now! Author: Rose...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri in 1894. Buy Now!...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of The Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder Series: The World’s Fair. Buy Now! Author: Thomas L....
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little Town: Where History and Literature Meet. Buy Now! Author: John E....
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Little House Books, Volume 2. Buy Now! Author: Laura Ingalls...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Little House Books, Volume 1. Buy Now! Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder Editor:...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Little Lodges on the Prairie: Freemasonry and Laura Ingalls Wilder.Buy Now! Author: Teresa...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane: Authorship, Place, Time, and Culture. Buy Now!...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography. Buy Now! Author: William AndersonPublisher: HarperCollins...
Our Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults and Recommended Reading for Adults articles have been popular resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of The World of Little House. Buy Now! Authors: Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss...
For me, Little House on the Prairie means “home” in the truest sense of the word. —Melissa Gilbert in My Prairie CookbookMelissa Gilbert’s Early Years Melissa Ellen Gilbert was born May 8, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, and adopted by dancer and actress, Barbara Crane, and her husband, comedian Paul Gilbert. Her parents later adopted...
Many books are popular resources for readers interested in activities associated with Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Here is a brief overview of Quilting with Laura: Patterns Inspired by the "Little House on the Prairie" Series. Buy Now! Author: Linda HalpinPublisher: RCW Publishing Company (November 1,...
Books and articles by and about the actors who starred in the Little House on the Prairie TV series provide a behind-the-scenes look at the show and how it affected the lives of the people making it. Here is a brief overview of Little House in the Hollywood Hills: A Bad Girl’s Guide to Becoming Miss Beadle, Mary X, and Me.Buy Now!...
Books and articles by and about the actors who starred in the Little House on the Prairie TV series provide a behind-the-scenes look at the show and how it affected the lives of the people making it. Here is a brief overview of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.Buy Now! Author:...
Cassandra Cooper: “I want homework.”Caroline Ingalls: “What?”Cassandra Cooper: “I want homework!”Caroline Ingalls: “Well, if you want homework, you’re gonna have to go to school.” —The Lost Ones: Part 2The sign-in sheet read “Little House on the Prairie,” but to me, this audition would be just like any other. At the age of eight, I had...
Some of you may recall the doctor who helped the Ingalls family when they fell ill in Chapter 15, “Fever ‘N’ Ague” of Little House on the Prairie. He was based on George A. Tann, a pioneer, physician, and neighbor of the Ingalls family. We are excited to explore the real-life of Dr. George A. Tann.Late summer in the Midwest is hot,...
Remember me with smiles and laughter,For that’s the way I’ll remember you all.If you can only remember me with tears,Then don’t remember me at all. —Written by Michael Landon for Season 2, Episodes 7 and 8, Remember MeMichael Landon’s Early Years Michael Landon was born on October 31, 1936, as Eugene Maurice Orowitz. Like the original...
The adventures of the Ingalls Family continue in Season Nine of “Little House on the Prairie." The original episodes aired from September 27, 1982, to March 21, 1983. In Season 9 of "Little House on the Prairie",change is in the air! The Ingalls family (apart from Laura) leave Walnut Grove and move to Iowa. Laura and Almanzo adopt...
The adventures of the Ingalls Family continue in Season Six of “Little House on the Prairie.” The original episodes of Season Six aired from September 17, 1979, to May 12, 1980. Season after season, these heart-warming stories continue to capture the attention of fans around the world. Season six brings new characters that we grow to...
As a child who’d practically memorized the Little House book series, I was entranced by the idea of Laura Ingalls Wilder as an “untutored housewife,” whose fiction suddenly sprang to life fully formed when she was in her sixties. As an adult, I learned that the widespread notion that Wilder was a self-taught genius with no training as a...
Below is an archive of all the Little House on the Prairie newsletters since 2015. If you’d like to subscribe to receive future newsletters, click here.2024The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary is HERE!2023Are You Ready for the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie?Celebrating the Release of Red Tail Feathers from...
Today we have the privilege of bringing you an insightful interview with the founders of LauraPalooza. If you are a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie, you won’t want to miss this exciting, upcoming event. Through this interview, you’ll learn more about “LauraPalooza 2015: Through Laura’s Eyes”, how to get...
Welcome to the Little House on the Prairie Web Site (the “Site”). It is owned and operated by Friendly Family Productions, LLC (“FFP”). By accessing the Site, you are indicating your consent and agreement (i) that you have read and understood these Terms of Use, (ii) that you consent to be bound by the terms and conditions described...
We had the pleasure of interviewing Eric Caron, a talented model maker who is also a fan of Little House on the Prairie.Q: Eric, we admire your high-quality models and your passion for Little House on the Prairie. When did you become a fan of Little House on the Prairie and how long have you been making these models? I became a fan of...
In 2005 The Wonderful World of Disney aired a mini-series based on the Little House on the Prairie book and produced by ABC/Touchstone Television in association with Ed Friendly. Katie Ford wrote the teleplay. David Cunningham directed the mini-series, which starred Cameron Bancroft as Charles Ingalls, Erin Cottrell as Caroline Ingalls,...
Little House on the Prairie, The Musical was a stage adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories and derived inspiration from six Little House books with particular emphasis on the family’s life in De Smet, South Dakota in By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie and These Happy Golden Years. Through...
The following is an interview with Barbara Mayes Boustead, a forecast meteorologist and climate program manager at the National Weather Service office in Omaha/Valley, Nebraska. She's also the co-chair of “LauraPalooza 2015: Through Laura’s Eyes”. Q: Tell us about your background in meteorology and what your study focus has been? I have...
Meet Our ContributorsMeet our wonderful community of contributors who are passionate and knowledgeable about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House stories.Laura Aguirre is a wife and busy mother of four. She’s a party stylist, blogger, and the creative force behind LAURA'S little PARTY. Her website shares, and creates...
Today’s Fan Feature is a beautiful pencil sketch drawn by Angelina Rose. Angelina has been a fan of "Little House on the Prairie" for many years, since watching the TV show as a little girl. She says, “My fondest memories of Little House on the Prairie are always the relationship between Laura and her father. I grew up...
Little House on the Prairie fans are in full force throughout the world from historians, to authors, to moms, and young ones. This section is dedicated entirely to connecting with you and telling your stories. Here you will find featured interviews, fan-submitted artwork, personal essays about Little House on the Prairie, and...
These are the books that started it all - the stories that captured the hearts and imaginations of children and young adults worldwide. Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and published by HarperCollins, these beloved books remain a favorite to this day. These classics have sold over 73 million copies in more than 100 countries. The 90th...
Laura Ingalls Wilder had such a vivid way of describing her everyday events that her writings have captured the imaginations of multiple generations. The universal themes of courage, hope and love in her books continue to inspire readers today. As author John E. Miller said, the Little House books “not only tell us what life was like,...
10 Things Ma Ingalls Taught Us About Life 10 Things Pa Ingalls Taught Us About Life About Alison Arngrim About Blanche Hanalis About Dean Butler About Karen Grassle About Katherine MacGregor About Melissa Gilbert About Melissa Sue Anderson About Michael Landon About Patrick Laborteaux and Matthew Laborteaux About Richard Bull About...
Your Stories Andover Sewing Project Contest - Craftsy Quilt Kit Winner Fan Feature – Judy Green’s Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Letter Fan Feature – Little House on the Prairie Pencil Sketch Illustrating Little House Interview with Barbara Hawkins - Little House Site Tours Interview with Barbara Mayes Boustead - Wilder Weather...