Words from a Fearless Heart: A Collection of Wit, Wisdom, and Whimsy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen W. Hines (Editor)

This charming gift book contains quotes such as To laugh and forget is one of the saving graces and Our hearts are mostly in the right place, but we seem to be weak in the head - all of which offer a little encouragement whenever needed. Wilder's strong values and winsome reflections make this a wonderful and inspirational gift to share with friends.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Biography, Inspirational

138 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 1995

About the author

Ingalls wrote a series of historical fiction books for children based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family. She also wrote a regular newspaper column and kept a diary as an adult moving from South Dakota to Missouri, the latter of which has been published as a book.

Reviews

[Ramona]

I have been a fan Mrs. Wilder, ever since. my mother bought my first Laura Ingalls Wilder boxes gifts set.
I just love her gift to tell a story. Decide to share with the world.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love to read more about one of my favorite authors from childhood

[Aiden]

One of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books I had as a kid

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being married 16 years, I decided to start reading some of my husband’s books that are in our bookcases and this is one of them. Words From a Fearless Heart—A collection of wit, wisdom, and whimsy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a delightful read, especially since I always enjoyed watching “Little House on the Prairie.” This goes very quickly and is as the title suggests, collection of short bits of wisdom, wit and whimsy. It’s a great little book to read when you just have a few minutes. I especially enjoyed the musing on pioneer eating that showed the huge contrast between then and our healthy focus on eating today. Back then, not only did they eat lots of meat, but it was heavily salted! Lard was used when cooking or baking and fried potatoes were a staple, cooked in lard. Butter and sugar was considered good for you! In fact, sugar was considered “essential to growing child’s health—a nutritious food.” I recommend this quick inspirational read to anyone, but especially to fans of Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingalls.
(Karen's review)

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I discovered this during a leisurely Sunday roam around the library. I had never heard of this book, but as a big fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, I thought it would be interesting.

Meh. I love quotes, but it gets a bit old reading quote after quote. I enjoyed the little stories interspersed throughout. However, there was one definite inconsistency. Just off of the top of my head without looking more into it (I cannot be bothered right now), the story with Nellie Oleson is strange, considering she is a fictional character. How do things like this slip through editing?

I was expecting to learn something more &/or at least be entertained. It was okay, some of the quotes were lovely. It just wasn't my cup of tea!

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think at first I was going to like this book. Reading quote after quote becomes tedious after awhile. However, interspersed within the quotes are snippets of information, some that I hadn't read before, such as Almanzo's stroke when he was thirty-one. I was surprised in Chapter 6 that it mentions a favorite story of Laura's involved Nellie Oleson, since it is known Nellie was a fictionalized character. Chapter 10 refers to Laura's Mother as Caroline Lake Quinter Ingalls instead of Quiner. Regardless, the book can give you some insight into Laura's basic personality, and it's a short, enjoyable read.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has compiled sayings and thoughts of Laura. Each chapter has a few paragraphs written by someone else summarizing up an event or something within Laura's life. But most of the book is just small tidbits of Laura's sayings and or personal thoughts. Was really interesting to read them knowing she felt this way in the early 1900's and most are the way we feel today!

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's something kind of cheap about putting together a book of quotes, even if they are by the neatest woman alive.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always going to love Laura Ingalls Wilder.

[Tera · Rating 3 out of 5]

If wasn't such a freak for Little House on the Praire I never would have pushed through this one. But c'mon it's half pint?! How could I stop?

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book to read. Filled with warm and witty wisdom from Laura Ingalls Wilder.