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...
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...
Caroline Lake Quiner Ingalls is known to Laura fans around the world simply as Ma. Her comforting presence was spread far beyond her own family circle by her featured place in the Little House books and the “Little House on the Prairie” TV show. In a way she has become everyone’s Ma; a comforting and cozy presence of reassurance in all...
When Judith Helton goes to work she literally steps into the past. Since 1976 she has written, costumed, and performed four one-woman shows, each relating to an actual historic figure. Her performances now number in the thousands for student and adult audiences. Judith is on the roster of the Music Center on Tour and the Arts Teach...
Laura always wondered why bread made of corn meal was called johnny-cake. It wasn’t cake. Ma didn’t know, unless the Northern soldiers called it johnny-cake because the people in the South, where they fought, ate so much of it. They called the Southern soldiers Johnny Rebs. Maybe they called the Southern bread, cake, just for fun. Ma...
While the Ingalls family didn't have much, they delighted in selecting or making thoughtful gifts for each other. We want to celebrate that giving spirit with our Little House on the Prairie gift guide for adults, teens, and children. Something for every fan on your list! For even more Little House on the Prairie gift ideas be sure to...
When you think of Thanksgiving, pioneer Laura Ingalls Wilder is probably not the first image that comes to mind, but maybe it should be. Most of the traditions that we associate with Thanksgiving, including tracing it back to the Pilgrims, began with the pioneers and the Victorians.Onion vs. Sage The most famous Laura Ingalls Wilder...
“Mother” was indeed a magic word to Laura Ingalls Wilder for, though Pa Ingalls occupies front-and-center attention in the Little House books, Ma is right there too, as the one who trained her daughters in domestic matters and educated them. It is a wonder that she lived to a ripe old age of 84, outliving Pa by twenty years. As his...
Andover Fabrics recently released three beautiful Little House on the Prairie fabric collections. For those in love with all things Little House on the Prairie, the possibilities of what you can make are endless. For example, you can create Little House on the Prairie dresses and bonnets for girls and adults, straw hat decorations, or...
NOTE - This giveaway has ended. You can find a store near you that carries Andover Fabrics using the store locator or order online at shops like Fat Quarter Shop. Thank you for participating! Be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter to stay informed of future giveaways and specials. We are offering a fabulous Giveaway* to celebrate...
As you read my stories of long ago I hope you will remember that things truly worthwhile and that will give you happiness are the same now as they were then. It is not the things you have that make you happy. It is love and kindness and helping each other and just plain being good. —Laura Ingalls WilderI’ve been so inspired by the new...
Every seam must be exactly right before Ma would let her make another, and often Laura worked several days on one short seam. —On the Banks of Plum CreekWith the so many country-style fabrics available at your local fabric shop, it’s now possible to make some beautiful prairie dresses and sunbonnets that look authentic as well as...
Today we are intrigued to hear from Nancy McCabe about her experience exploring Cuba, New York, the birthplace of Charles Ingalls. Hear her interesting stories and tid bits of information about Pa’s first home below.In Cuba, New York, the birthplace of Charles Ingalls, my daughter and I read excerpts from Little House in the Big Woods...
Throughout the Little House books, the Ingalls family stays busy day in and day out making their home cozy and safe. Many of their daily activities were done out of necessity but they also created beautiful playthings, and added ornamental charm to an otherwise simple life. Over a dozen of those crafts are presented in My Little House...
There were several beautiful hats, but Laura knew at once which one she wanted. It was a fine, cream-colored straw with a narrow brim, rolled narrower at the sides. —These Happy Golden YearsA sturdy straw hat was an essential accessory to have on the prairie that could be as pretty as it was practical. With just a few supplies and a...
There was pie plant in the garden; she must make a couple of pies. —The First Four YearsAfter years of living on the plains with her parents, Laura finally settled into a house of her own with Almanzo. In The First Four Years, we learn about Laura’s life as a new wife on the South Dakota prairie. When Laura was getting ready to cook the...
HOUSTON, TX (October 23, 2015) – Andover Fabrics is making a big splash at the International Quilt Market with the launch of its new Little House on the Prairie® fabrics for quilting and sewing. "This is such an important launch for us, as well as the whole quilting industry," says Andover Fabrics President David Weinstein. "The rising...
Preschool is such a fun and busy age, with lots of learning opportunities for children. These exclusive Little House on the Prairie printables for preschoolers and kindergarten kids will help you keep those curious minds busy. Whether you’re doing a Little House on the Prairie unit study with a wide range of ages, or just want to keep...
To read this interview in English, please click here. Nous avons eu le plaisir de faire une entrevue avec Eric Caron, un maquettiste talentueux qui est aussi un passionné de « La petite maison dans la prairie ».Q: Eric, nous admirons la qualité de vos maquettes et votre passion pour “La petite maison dans la prairie”. Quand êtes-vous...
There are many different ways to be a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. Some people research topics in depth. Some people wear a sunbonnet and buy a Charlotte doll. Some people try to get autographs from as many actors/actresses from the “Little House on the Prairie” TV show as they can. I’ve done some of all of those things, but the most...
Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs. —Little House in the Big WoodsScholars of myth, child psychology and literature as diverse as Joseph Campbell, Bruno Bettelheim and Marina Warner argue that, ultimately, the primary purpose of myth and fairy tale is...
Of the thousands of people who entered into the Little House on the Prairie® Prize Package Giveaway, Damien was one of the lucky winners. Here is a photo of Damien and his niece Eva holding up their prizes, which include the first four seasons of the remastered TV series, the Pioneer Girl autobiography and tote bag, and The Legacy of...
As a child, I loved many children’s book characters—Louisa May Alcott’s Jo, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne, and Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy—because, like me, they wanted to be writers.[1] But it never occurred to me that the Little House series also tells a story of artistic development. Especially in the later books, Wilder focuses on the...
…and then because the air was so fresh and the newcut hay so clean and sweet, she wandered over the field, picking the wild sunflowers and Indian paintbrush. —The First Four YearsTime and time again we read the vivid descriptions of wildflowers in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. Each book contains descriptions of the beautiful blooms she...
Carrie Ingalls, born Caroline Celestia Ingalls on August 3, 1870, to Charles (“Pa”) and Caroline (“Ma”) Ingalls, is best known as the younger sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie books. Carrie is only a baby in the first book, Little House in the Big Woods, but her presence and interactions with...
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...
When all the trading was done, the storekeeper gave Mary and Laura each a piece of candy. They were so astonished and so pleased that they just stood looking at their candies. —Little House in the Big WoodsRock candy or sugar candy has been around for centuries, so it’s almost certain that Laura and Mary would have seen something...
Today we have the pleasure of sharing Judy Green’s story and how she came into possession of an original letter written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. For 26 years Judy has been bringing the stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder to life in schools, libraries, historical societies, mother/daughter banquets, and Girl Scout troops. She dresses up in...
Each had a box to keep her treasures in. Charlotte and the paper dolls lived in Laura’s box, and Mary’s quilt blocks and her scrap bag were in Mary’s box. —On the Banks of Plum CreekEveryone loves a treasure box full of mementos of good times to remember. This summer start a new family adventure by creating a treasure box and filling it...
When they came to a plum thicket they set down their big pails. They filled their little pails with plums and emptied them into the big pails till they were full. —On the Banks of Plum CreekLaura loved exploring the plum thickets with her sister Mary and would carefully shake the trees so that only the ripe plums would fall. Mary teased...
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...
Every morning Pa went cheerfully whistling to the field… Now he carried a sack of corn fastened to his belt, and as he plowed, he threw grains of corn into the furrow beside the plow’s point. The plow turned over a strip of sod on top of the seed corn. But corn would fight its way up through the matted roots, and there would be a...
A glossy white cloth covered the table. On it was a beautiful sugar-white cake and tall glasses… ‘Is your lemonade sweet enough?’ Mrs. Oleson asked. So Laura knew that it was lemonade in the glasses. She had never tasted anything like it. —On the Banks of Plum CreekLemonade is a timeless beverage that even little Laura Ingalls enjoyed...
We had the opportunity to interview Pamela Smith Hill, the editor of Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography, and author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life. Pamela has contributed several articles to this site already, with more to come in the future.Q: How did you become interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder? I’ve been a bookworm...
Today’s interview is with Barbara Hawkins, founder of Little House Site Tours. For fifteen years, Barbara and her husband George have been organizing tours of the Little House on the Prairie Historic Locations that have attracted visitors from around the world. If you would like to participate in a tour, please contact them by visiting...
For many of us, gardening is a hobby or even a passion. But there are many people leading perfectly satisfying lives without ever having a garden. It hasn’t always been this way. Gardening is depicted as a normal facet of life in the “Little House on the Prairie” television show and book series, because each settler needed a garden in...
In a classic episode of “Little House on the Prairie,” (Back to School Part 2, Season 6, Episode 2) Laura offers to cook dinner for a special date between Nellie and the handsome bachelor in town, Almanzo Wilder. Nellie’s not the only one with her eye on Almanzo, so Laura has an ulterior motive. She wants to end things between Nellie...
Fans of Little House on the Prairie often talk about the fun times the Ingalls family had together. We’ve captured that spirit of creativity and connection by sharing some of our favorite old-fashioned crafts that you can do together as a family! Celebrate your pioneering spirit with these fun activities.Braided Rug Crafts In the...
An apron was a necessity in Laura’s day; women were used to keeping their everyday dresses clean enough to wear throughout the week, and made sure to protect their special occasion dresses so they would stay pretty and nice. Aprons come in handy these days, too! Here are two easy-sew aprons (adult and child sized) for you to make;...
One of the greatest things about reading the Little House books with children is introducing topics such as resourcefulness and conservation. Items like pens and blank paper were luxuries not readily available to the Ingalls family. Homemade Ink & Envelopes Often, pioneers had to make their own ink and letter envelopes and you can...
The garden was growing now. In tiny rows of different greens, the radishes, lettuce, onions, were up. The first crumpled leaves of peas were pushing upward. The young tomatoes stood on thin stems, spreading out their first lacy foliage. —Little Town on the PrairieAlong with the Little House on the Prairie books, Laura Ingalls Wilder...
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 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 was a school-teacher when we met, and when...
When Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the final scene in her last Little House book for young readers, she gave the closing lines to Pa’s fiddle and its music. Laura and Almanzo’s wedding day has come to a close and the young couple sits on the doorstep of their own little house. In her memory, Laura hears “the voice of Pa’s fiddle and the...
There are many challenges that come from life on a farm, but there’s a big payoff, too. Food on the table at a farmhouse is as good as it comes. In Farmer Boy, the third book in the Little House on the Prairie series, we learn about life on the Wilder family farm in Upstate New York. Food was plentiful, and Almanzo’s mother was known...
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,...
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...
History "Mother, a Magic Word" by Laura Ingalls Wilder About Caroline “Carrie” Ingalls Swanzey About Caroline Ingalls "Ma" About The Ingalls Family Almanzo Wilder: A "Very Special" Perfect Young Man Dr. George A. Tann, Pioneer Physician and Neighbor to the Ingalls Ed Friendly's Life and Legacy From “Unlearned Poet” to “Untutored...
Recipes Baked Beans Recipe Inspired by Little House on the Prairie Butternut Squash Recipes We Love Cranberry and Brown Sugar with Mint Glaze Country-Style Ham Cranberry Jelly Inspired by Little House on the Prairie Cream Carrots Recipe Cinnamon Chicken Recipe Cornbread Stuffing Inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder DIY Maple Sugar Candy...
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...
Onions were made into long ropes, braided together by their tops, and then were hung in the attic beside wreaths of red peppers strung on threads. —Little House in the Big WoodsIn the garden, peppers are prolific, and it’s not always easy to know what to do with all of the extras that you inevitably end up with. You can only pass so...
But best of all Almanzo liked the spicy apple pie, with its thick, rich juice and its crumbly crust. He ate two big wedges of the pie. —Farmer BoyApple pie is an American classic. People have been enjoying this warm, comforting dish for generations. We typically think of it as a dessert, but in the pioneering era it was also enjoyed as...
…the beds were neat under their patchwork quilts. The rays of the setting sun came through the windows and filled the house with golden light. —Little House on the PrairieCharacter Development Printable Worksheet Use this character development worksheet to help your students demonstrate something interesting about themselves, or their...
One of my favorite “Little House on the Prairie” television episodes is “Christmas at Plum Creek.” If you’re a fan, then I’m sure that you remember it, too. It’s the episode where Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, and Carrie face the challenge of finding a way to give each other Christmas gifts at a time when acquiring money — beyond what was...
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...
You can't help but think about food as you read through the Little House books - so much of a pioneer's life revolved around growing and acquiring food on a seasonal cycle. Indeed, large passages of the books are dedicated to the description of food and meals. So it's no surprise that one of the books inspired by the Little House series...
There are many different kinds of Laura fans. No matter what their specific interest, most fans love to “play Laura.” What better way to play Laura than with a party? There are several different ways to theme a Laura party. Today we’re going to look at how to host a Bring Your Own Bonnet party, a party on the prairie.Olde Thyme Party...
PARIS/LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2014) – Little House on the Prairie® continues to expand in Europe with the recent appointment of Sagoo to develop a classic licensing program in France and the Benelux. In June, Friendly Family Productions launched the Little House on the Prairie lifestyle brand at Licensing Expo receiving a great deal of...
20 #LittleHouseMoment Shares from our Friends 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 de Eric Caron, maquettiste de La petite maison dans la prairie Interview...
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...
…the beds were neat under their patchwork quilts. The rays of the setting sun came through the windows and filled the house with golden light. —Little House on the PrairieAs any quilter can tell you, quilting requires a strong foundation of math skills, including pattern recognition, sequencing, and measurement. The math principles that...
London (June 11, 2014) - Friendly Family Productions today announced that it has chosen Metrostar to develop a classic licensing programme for Little House on the Prairie® in the UK and Ireland. The campaign, which begins with meetings at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, involves the creation of a lifestyle brand evoking memories of the...
LAS VEGAS (June 6, 2014) – Friendly Family Productions today announced its appointment of Knockout Licensing to develop a classic licensing program for the Little House on the Prairie® lifestyle brand throughout the United States and Canada. Little House on the Prairie is a world-famous and well-loved brand rooted in the stories of an...
NEW YORK (April 14, 2015) – Little House on the Prairie®, a beloved brand rooted in the stories of an American pioneer family, is a favorite classic literary and entertainment property that spans three generations. With the recent introduction of a lifestyle licensing program inspired by the stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Spotlight...
Over the course of nine seasons on “Little House on the Prairie,” we saw Melissa Gilbert grow from a young girl to a loving wife and mother. Melissa is now both an accomplished actress and the author of several books.Melissa Gilbert’s newest role is that of a devoted grandmother, Ruby, in the heartwarming film “When We Last Spoke.” ...
(Update 4/27 - This giveaway has ended. Please be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to stay informed of future specials and promotions!) To celebrate the launch of the official Little House on the Prairie website we are offering the ultimate Prize Package Giveaway*. We are giving away the first four seasons of the newly...
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books have captured the imaginations and hearts of multiple generations. Almost from the moment Wilder’s first novel was published in 1932, young readers responded enthusiastically to her characters and their stories. This History section showcases Wilder's evolving legacy across multiple subjects and...
Little House on the Prairie Inspired Recipes Simple Molasses Cookies Sweet Potato and Root Vegetable Bake Baked Beans Recipe Inspired by Little House on the Prairie Cranberry and Brown Sugar with Mint Glaze Country-Style Ham Cranberry Jelly Inspired by Little House on the Prairie Cream Carrots Recipe Cinnamon Chicken Recipe Cornbread...
Little House on the Prairie Fabric Crafts 50+ Ways to Use Little House on the Prairie Fabric Covered Wagon DIY Inspired by Little House on the Prairie DIY Lemon Verbena Feed-Sack Sachets Homemade DIY Little House on the Prairie™ Stockings Handmade Fabric Bookmarks for Old-Fashioned Reading Fun Homemade Mommy and Me Apron DIY How to...
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...