Wonderful Writers: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Hi All! Wonderful Writers is a weekly segment that comes out every Wednesday! Every week I spotlight and discuss one of my favorite authors, books by them, and talk about their writing styles and such. I hope you’ll enjoy. Feel free to participate as well by writing your own post and as always you are welcome to use the meme/pic if you’d like (just remember to credit me).
About: Wilder was an American writer known for the Little House on the Prairie series of children’s novels (1932 to 1943) based on her childhood in a settler family. The books also spawned the television series (of the same name) that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Wilder first started her career as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist in 1911; a job which she held until the mid-1920s. In her column,”As a Farm Woman Thinks”, her topics ranged from home and family to World War I and other world events. During the Great Depression she got the idea for the Prairie books from her own life experiences and as a result of her daughter’s publishing connections as a successful writer, Wilder’s first book was published in 1932 as Little House in the Big Woods.
What I’ve Read (So Far):
- Little House in the Big Woods
- Little House on the Prairie
Why She’s a Wonderful Writer:
Long before I was exposed to the TV series that I love and adore, I enjoyed reading the Little House series. And even though its been years since I’ve last read them (and I need to re-start the series/re-read the books) I’ve always found them to be charming. The books are set in a historical period and exposes young and old readers to world that is very different from which we now live in. It was a difficult life for Laura and her family, and they worked hard for everything they got. Each novel is full of lovable and those we love to hate characters, life lessons, adventure, family, and so much more. If you haven’t read these books, then you’ve been missing out.
Have you read any of Wilder’s novels? Tell me which one is your favorite in the comment section below!
If you’re really interested in Laura and her work, check out the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association at http://www.beyondlittlehouse.com.
We are the organization which brings you the only academic conference devoted exclusively to celebrating all things Laura, known lovingly by us Laurati as LauraPalooza. All are welcome, and the next conference is July 2017, most likely to occur at Springfield, Missouri, which is about one hour from Laura and Almanzo’s home at Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, MO.
You’re of course welcome to visit my blog:
http://www.meetlauraingallswilder.wordpress.com
too!
Thanks for the information! I don’t know a ton about Wilder’s life, so these resources are great. Thanks again. 🙂
You’re welcome! There is a lot of information out there about her but unfortuantely not all of it is reliable nor accurate. Beyond Little House is a great resource for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction or explore the more controversial aspects of “our” girl and her work.