Laura Ingalls Wilder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Ingalls Wilder
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Laura Ingalls Wilder, circa 1885
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| Born | Laura Elizabeth Ingalls February 7, 1867 Pepin County, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 1957 (aged 90) Mansfield, Missouri, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Period | 1911–1957 (as a writer) |
| Genre | Diaries, essays, family saga (children's historical novels) |
| Subject | Midwestern and Western |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards | Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal est. 1954 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, including Rose Wilder Lane |
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Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder (born February 7, 1867, died February 10, 1957) was an American writer, teacher, and journalist. She is famous for writing the beloved children's book series Little House on the Prairie. These books, published from 1932 to 1943, tell the story of her own childhood. They describe growing up in a pioneer family as they moved across the American frontier.
Contents
Laura's Early Life and Family
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born on February 7, 1867. Her parents were Charles Phillip and Caroline Lake Ingalls. She was born near Pepin, Wisconsin, in a place called the Big Woods. This area became the setting for her first book, Little House in the Big Woods, published in 1932.
Laura was the second of five children. Her older sister was Mary Amelia. Later, her younger sisters, Caroline Celestia (Carrie) and Grace Pearl, were born. She also had a younger brother, Charles Frederick, who sadly passed away when he was a baby. Today, you can visit a replica log cabin in Pepin where Laura was born.
Laura's family had a long history in America. She was related to important figures like U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was also a descendant of Richard Warren, who traveled on the Mayflower ship.
Moving West: A Pioneer Childhood
Laura's family moved a lot when she was young. When she was two, they left Wisconsin in 1869. They traveled to Kansas, near a town called Independence. Her sister Carrie was born there.
Her father, Charles, thought the land was open for settlers. But it was actually part of the Osage Indian reservation. The family soon learned they had to leave. They returned to Wisconsin in 1871. These early adventures inspired her books Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie.
Around 1874, when Laura was about seven, the family moved again. They went to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and lived in a dugout home by Plum Creek. This time is described in her book On the Banks of Plum Creek.
Life was hard, with bad crops. They moved to Iowa for a while, where her brother Freddie was born and sadly passed away. The family also helped run a hotel in Burr Oak, Iowa, where her youngest sister Grace was born.
Eventually, they moved back to Walnut Grove. Her father worked as a butcher and a justice of the peace. In 1879, they moved to the Dakota Territory. This journey is told in By the Shores of Silver Lake.
In De Smet, South Dakota, her father claimed land under the Homestead Act. They faced a very harsh winter in 1880-1881, which Laura wrote about in The Long Winter. In De Smet, Laura went to school, worked, and met new friends. One of these friends was Almanzo Wilder, who would later become her husband. Her books Little Town on the Prairie and These Happy Golden Years share these stories. Laura's parents and sister Mary lived in De Smet for the rest of their lives.
Laura Becomes a Teacher
Laura started her first teaching job on December 10, 1882, just before her 16th birthday. She taught in one-room schools for three terms. She also continued her own schooling in De Smet.
Laura didn't love teaching, but she felt it was important to help her family earn money. At that time, there were not many ways for women to earn a living. Between 1883 and 1885, she taught, worked as a dressmaker, and went to high school. She did not finish high school because her last teaching job began before she could complete her studies.
Marriage and Early Challenges
Laura married Almanzo Wilder on August 25, 1885, in De Smet. They had special nicknames for each other: she called him "Manly," and he called her "Bess." They started their married life in a new home north of De Smet.
Their daughter, Rose, was born on December 5, 1886. Later, they had a son who sadly passed away when he was only 12 days old. He was buried in De Smet.
The first years of their marriage were very tough. Almanzo became very sick with diphtheria in 1888. This illness left him partly paralyzed, and he needed a cane to walk for the rest of his life.
They faced many other hardships. Their newborn son died, their barn burned down, and their home was lost in a fire. Several years of severe drought also made it impossible to farm their land. These difficult times are described in Laura's book The First Four Years.
Around 1890, they left De Smet. They stayed with Almanzo's parents in Minnesota for a year. Then they moved to Westville, Florida, hoping the warmer climate would help Almanzo's health. But they found the humid weather and new surroundings difficult. In 1892, they returned to De Smet and bought a small home.
Building a New Life in Missouri
In 1894, the Wilders moved to Mansfield, Missouri. They bought undeveloped land outside of town and named it Rocky Ridge Farm. They started in a small log cabin. At first, they earned money by selling firewood.
Financial stability came slowly. They planted apple trees, but it took seven years for them to produce fruit. Almanzo's parents helped them by giving them the deed to a house they had been renting in Mansfield. This boost helped the Wilders expand their farm to nearly 200 acres. Around 1910, they sold the town house and moved back to the farm, completing their 10-room farmhouse.
The Wilders learned from their past farming experiences. They grew many different crops and raised poultry and dairy cows. Laura became active in local clubs and farm associations. She was known for her knowledge of poultry farming and rural life. This led to invitations to speak to groups in the area.
Laura's Writing Journey
In 1911, Laura was invited to write an article for the Missouri Ruralist newspaper. This led to a regular job as a columnist and editor, which she held until the mid-1920s. She also worked for the local Farm Loan Association, helping farmers get small loans.
Laura's column, "As a Farm Woman Thinks," was very popular. She wrote about home life, family, and her travels. She also shared her thoughts on the new opportunities for women. The farm, her writing, and her work with the Farm Loan Association gave the Wilders a stable income.
By 1924, Laura had become a skilled writer. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, who was also a successful writer, encouraged Laura to write more. Rose helped Laura publish two articles about their farmhouse in Country Gentleman magazine.
The Little House Books Begin
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 caused the Wilders to lose most of their savings. In 1930, Laura asked Rose for her opinion on a story she had written about her childhood. Laura wanted to preserve her memories and earn some extra money.
The original story was called Pioneer Girl. Rose's publisher suggested Laura expand the story for children. With Rose's help and editing, Harper & Brothers published Laura's first book, Little House in the Big Woods, in 1932. It was a success, and Laura continued writing.
Laura and Rose worked closely together on the books. Rose helped with editing and shaping the stories. This collaboration continued even after Rose moved away from Rocky Ridge Farm in 1935.
The Authorship Discussion
Some people have wondered how much Rose helped Laura write the books. Letters, diaries, and Laura's handwritten manuscripts show that they worked together.
Experts like Professor John E. Miller say that Rose's involvement varied. Some books, like Little House in the Big Woods and These Happy Golden Years, had less editing from Rose. This shows Laura's natural talent for storytelling. Other books had more input from Rose.
It's important to remember that the Little House books tell stories from a long time ago. While they are beloved, some portrayals of different cultures, like Native Americans, reflect the views of that historical period. Today, we understand these topics differently.
Lasting Popularity of the Books
The original Little House books were written for elementary school children. They became a lasting record of pioneer life in the late 1800s. The books grew in length and complexity, making them suitable for readers as they grew older. The First Four Years, about Laura and Almanzo's early marriage, was published in 1971 after Laura's death. It is now considered the ninth book in the series.
Since Little House in the Big Woods was published in 1932, the books have always been in print. They have been translated into 40 languages. The success of the Little House books brought a steady income to the Wilders, helping them recover from their financial losses. Laura received many honors and fan letters.
Pioneer Girl: Laura's Autobiography
In 1929–1930, when Laura was in her early 60s, she wrote her autobiography called Pioneer Girl. Publishers did not accept it. Rose encouraged her to rewrite her stories for children, which led to the Little House series.
In 2014, an annotated version of Pioneer Girl was published. This book includes stories Laura felt were not suitable for children. It also explores the differences between her fiction, her autobiography, and her real childhood experiences.
Later Life and Legacy
After Rose moved away, Laura and Almanzo lived alone at Rocky Ridge Farm. They sold most of their land but kept some farm animals and tended their gardens. Many fans visited the farm, eager to meet the author of the Little House books.
Laura and Almanzo lived comfortably until Almanzo passed away at the farm in 1949. Laura continued to live on the farm for eight more years. She kept in touch with her editors, fans, and friends.
In the fall of 1956, Laura became very ill. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 10, 1957, just three days after her 90th birthday. She was buried next to Almanzo in Mansfield Cemetery. Rose was buried there too after her death in 1968.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
After Laura's death, the community worked to buy Rocky Ridge Farm and turn it into a museum. Rose supported this idea, believing it would keep her mother's books popular. She donated money to buy the house and contributed to its upkeep. She also gave many of her parents' belongings to the museum.
The popularity of the Little House books has continued to grow. This led to new books, a long-running television series, and other merchandise.
Laura's Views
Laura Ingalls Wilder believed strongly in self-reliance and individual freedom. She was a member of the Democratic Party for a long time. However, she became concerned about government programs and people relying too much on the government. Her daughter, Rose, shared similar strong beliefs.
Laura supported women's rights and education reform. She was also known for treating everyone with respect, even in times when society was segregated. For example, she once shook the hand of an African-American man in Missouri, which was unusual at the time. Her book Little House on the Prairie even features an African-American doctor who helps the Ingalls family.
Laura's Books
Laura Ingalls Wilder's works are now in the public domain in many countries. This means they can be freely shared and used.
The Original Little House Books
These eight books were published by Harper & Brothers.
- Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
- Farmer Boy (1933) – This book is about Almanzo Wilder's childhood in New York.
- 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)
Other Writings
- On the Way Home (1962, published after her death) – This is a diary of the Wilders' move to Missouri.
- The First Four Years (1971, published after her death) – This book is often seen as the ninth Little House book.
- West from Home (1974, published after her death) – Laura's letters to Almanzo during a trip to San Francisco in 1915.
- Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography (2014) – Laura's original autobiography with notes.
Laura's Enduring Legacy
Documentaries About Laura
- Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder (2015) – This film explores Laura's life as a writer, wife, and mother.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page (2020) – This documentary covers her life, the making of the books, and her lasting impact.
Places to Visit
Many places connected to Laura's life are now museums or historic sites:
- Laura Ingalls Wilder House and Museum, Mansfield, Missouri
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Pepin, Wisconsin
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Walnut Grove, Minnesota
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society museum and historic homes, De Smet, South Dakota
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, Burr Oak, Iowa
- Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence, Kansas
- Wilder Homestead, Malone, NY
- De Smet Cemetery in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, where many Ingalls family members are buried.
Laura on Screen and Stage
Laura's Little House on the Prairie books have been adapted into many films and stage shows. Here are some actresses who have played her:
- Melissa Gilbert in the TV series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1984)
- Kazuko Sugiyama (voice) in the Japanese anime series Laura, The Prairie Girl (1975–1976)
- Meredith Monroe and Tess Harper in the TV films Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (2000 and 2002)
- Kyle Chavarria in the TV miniseries Little House on the Prairie (2005)
- Kara Lindsay in the Little House on the Prairie musical (2008–2010)
The Children's Literature Legacy Award
Laura Ingalls Wilder was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal five times. In 1954, the American Library Association (ALA) created a special award for children's writers and illustrators, named the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. Laura was the very first person to receive it. This award recognizes authors whose books have made a lasting contribution to children's literature. In 2018, the award was renamed the Children's Literature Legacy Award to reflect changing views on historical portrayals in literature.
Other Honors
- A Google Doodle celebrated her 148th birthday in 2015.
- A bronze bust of Laura is displayed in the Hall of Famous Missourians at the Missouri State Capitol.
- She was honored on the Missouri Walk of Fame in 2006.
- A crater on the planet Venus is named Wilder after her.
See also
In Spanish: Laura Ingalls Wilder para niños
