Laura Ingalls Wilder ​

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American writer known for her iconic Little House on the Prairie series. These children's novels were based on her childhood in a pioneer and early settler family. Through her books, Wilder helped to chronicle and preserve an important part of American history.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote the "Little House on the Prairie" series.
• Books based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family.
• Her work remains a classic in American children's literature.
• Books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into a popular television series.
• Received no formal education, yet managed to capture the imaginations of countless readers through her narratives.

Background ​

Wilder was born in 1867 in the Big Woods region of Wisconsin. The second of five children, she spent her early years in a log house and experienced pioneer life firsthand. When not busy with chores, she attended a one-room schoolhouse. These experiences formed the basis for her "Little House" series of books, including "Little House in the Big Woods" and "Little House on the Prairie". In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder and they eventually settled in a farm in Missouri. She began writing her famous series in the 1930s and the books remain popular to this day, being adapted into a successful TV series. Wilder passed away in 1957, but her legacy of pioneering spirit is still celebrated in books and TV adaptations.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Wilder's prose is characterized by its simplicity and vivid descriptions drawn from her own experiences growing up on the American frontier. Her books have been praised for their realistic depiction of pioneer life, providing both historical insight and timeless life lessons. Her work played a significant role in shaping children's literature and remains beloved for its nostalgic charm and value as a historical document.

Notable Works ​

• Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
• Farmer Boy (1933)
• Little House on the Prairie (1935)
• On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)
• By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)
• The Long Winter (1940)
• Little Town on the Prairie (1941)
• These Happy Golden Years (1943)
• The First Four Years (1971)