Laura Ingalls Wilder's News

 For years, Little House on the Prairie has inspired crafts and recipes that reflect the pioneering spirit of Laura and her family. In the book, On the Banks of Plum Creek, Ma showed her girls how to make a row of paper stars to decorate their home. “Laura and Mary made new starry papers for the shelves, and Ma made vanity cakes.” Join us in celebrating National Crafting month by making simple and beautiful handmade crafts like those paper star garlands, as well as a Valentine’s Day-inspired heart-shaped variation that will delight your friends and family.

 Ever wonder about the chronology of events in Laura’s life and the historical context surrounding her experiences? We think you’ll love our interactive timeline that weaves together some of her major life events with interesting historical milestones in literature, politics, science, and technology. Fun fact: what Ingalls family milestone occurred in February of 1874? See the timeline to find out! 

 

From 1974 to 1983, the characters of “Little House on the Prairie” charmed us on the small screen. And they are still captivating viewers today. Four of these beloved actors are celebrating their birthdays this February. In honor of their special days, we’re sharing some fun facts with you.

Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) celebrates her birthday on February 25. We enjoy hearing from fans about all the ways her portrayal of ‘Ma Ingalls’ inspired them. Whether the family endured a blizzard as in Season 1 Episode 22 – "Survival," a tornado, or any other harrowing circumstance, Ma always was a woman of calm strength. The family really pulled together in hard times, and Ma was the glue that held the family together.  How has she inspired you?

 Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle) celebrates her birthday on February 27. Did you know she wrote an article for us sharing some exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes photos of her time on set? You will love her inspiring story and her memories from the show.

 Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved author and American icon, was born on February 7, 154 years ago. This month we celebrate her birthday and in March we celebrate her for National Women's History Month, which is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to U.S. history. Throughout her lifetime, Laura seemed surprised by her readers’ admiration because, as she told reporters, “I didn’t know how to write. I went to little red schoolhouses all over the West and I was never graduated from anything." However, Laura came from a family that valued learning—books, poetry, music, and storytelling. Her mother Caroline had been a schoolteacher and insisted that her girls get a proper education, even on the frontier. Laura herself became a teacher and a writer whose work has had lasting historical and cultural significance.

 Almanzo Wilder, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s husband, was born February 13, 1857. Almanzo (aka “Manly” as Laura liked to call him) played such an important part in her life that he even inspired her to write her second book, Farmer Boy. This insightful article by Melanie Fishbane explores the differences between the Almanzo portrayed in the books and the Almanzo from the television show, highlighting the reasons we love every version of him! 

  Our Recommended Reading articles have been popular resources for readers interested in learning more about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s world. 

This month, we are spotlighting the book, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist: Writings from the Ozarks, written by Wilder and edited by Stephen Hines. Before Laura Ingalls Wilder found fame with her Little House books, she made a name for herself with short nonfiction columns in magazines and newspapers. This volume collects essays by Wilder that originally appeared in the Missouri Ruralist between 1911 and 1924. Writing as “Mrs. A. J. Wilder” about modern life in the early twentieth-century Ozarks, Laura lends her advice to women of her generation on such timeless issues as how to be an equal partner with their husbands, how to support the new freedoms they’d won with the right to vote, and how to maintain important family values in their changing world. Yet she also discusses such practical matters as how to raise chickens, save time on household tasks, and set aside time to relax now and then. Learn more about this collection of articles here. 

  We are pleased to highlight and celebrate inspiring organizations that preserve the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder, seek to improve living conditions for people and promote good stewardship of our planet.

Today we celebrate the work of Heifer International. Heifer USA supports small-scale farmers to deliver fresh, nutritious food to reliable markets by providing them with training, education, and resources needed to sell their products for a fair price. This work is critical to helping small-scale American farmers lift themselves out of poverty.