Who is the real Laura Ingalls? Is she the smart, strong, and resourceful fictional character of the Little House books? Or is she the more mature and somewhat worldly Laura Ingalls of Pioneer Girl? Or perhaps she’s the character that actress Melissa Gilbert created in the “Little House on the Prairie” television series. And what about…
Laura Ingalls Wilder: An American Fixture
In 1942, literary agent George Bye received the final manuscript from a client he had reluctantly decided to represent twelve years earlier, an author whose first work, a memoir for adults, had left him uninspired. But she had found her voice as a children’s book writer, and Bye felt deeply moved and stirred by her…
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historical Timeline
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 view relevant photography and videos alongside…
Recommended Reading for Adults
As a researcher and biographer of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I’ve found the work of other Wilder authors and scholars both essential and illuminating. Listed below are titles that explore different areas of her life and work, often bringing entirely new and unexpected interpretations to a wide range of Wilder topics. The list includes classic titles,…
Recommended Reading for Children & Young Adults
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books continue to inspire generations of young readers. They are classics in American children’s literature. But for young readers who want to know more about Laura Ingalls Wilder, the books below can enrich their reading and educational experiences with different perspectives on the Ingalls and Wilder families, the Little House…
To Read and Write and Cipher
In On the Banks of Plum Creek, Laura is reluctant to go to school for the first time, but Pa tells her she should appreciate the opportunity: “…it isn’t everybody that gets a chance to learn to read and write and cipher,” he says. Pa explains that education is important to the family. “Your Ma…