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...
Pamela Smith Hill
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 eighth and final...
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...
Pioneer Girl Perspectives: Exploring Laura Ingalls Wilder Inspired Giveaway (CLOSED)
“She understood the meaning of hardship and struggle, of joy and work, of shyness and bravery. She was never overcome by drabness or squalor. She never glamorized anything; yet she saw the loveliness in everything.” ~ Illustrator Garth Williams about Laura Ingalls Wilder In 1930 Laura Ingalls Wilder finished her autobiography, Pioneer...
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography
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 Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography. Buy Now! Author: Laura Ingalls WilderEditor:...
Dr. George A. Tann, Pioneer Physician and Neighbor to the Ingalls
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,...
Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life
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 Writer’s Life. Buy Now! Author: Pamela Smith...
2015 Interview with LauraPalooza Founders
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...
Interview with Pamela Smith Hill – Editor of Pioneer Girl
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...
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 was a school-teacher when we met, and when...
Pa’s Fiddle: Now Is Now
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...