Laura Ingalls Wilder's Fairy Poems

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Richard Hull (Illustrator), Stephen W. Hines (Introduction/Compiler)

The beautiful illustrations bring the poetry to life in this beautiful gift book.

Readers will delight in this never-before published collection of poems from Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved author of The Little House on the Prairie:

Day and night, wherever we go, fairies are out dancing, painting, and creating joyous mischief for all who can see them. Laura Ingalls Wilder shares her vision of the fanciful, ethereal, and mischievous world of the "Little People" in this first-ever collection of fairy poems she wrote in 1915. Accompanied by whimsical illustrations, readers young and old will cherish this book for a lifetime.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Fantasy, Picture Books, Fairies, Classics, Juvenile

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 1998

About the author

Laura Ingalls Wilder was an American author, journalist, and educator whose "Little House" series transformed the arduous reality of the American frontier into a foundational pillar of children's literature. Born in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s childhood was a nomadic journey through the heart of a shifting nation. Her family moved across Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakota Territory—often staying just ahead of legal evictions or chasing the promise of fertile soil. These years were marked by extreme hardship, including the "Hard Winter" of 1880–81 in De Smet, South Dakota, where the family survived near-starvation. Despite the struggle, these experiences provided the raw material for her eight-volume record of pioneer life, a series that has since been translated into over forty languages.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful little book. I didn't even know it existed until recently.

[Kitty]

Almost violently pleasant

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really just a trifle: five short fairy poems which probably wouldn't garner any notice if they weren't by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They're very typical light verse, and the meter falters in a couple spots. The art isn't to my taste, but that's irrelevant. I think I'd be a little cranky if I'd dished out $15.95 for this bitsy volume instead of reading them at the library. Bottom line -- this is best suited to the top tier of Wilder-devotees, and I have not yet reached that pinnacle.

[Samantha Ivy (novelsbysamantha) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For reviews, go to my instagram @/sundresssecrets

[Shayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

These poems were LI Wilder's first publications. The poems themselves are cute, but the main attraction is the incredible illustrations that reminded me of James Christensen's work. My 5yo was giggling the whole time.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than a simple poetry book. Although there are only five fairy poems there is a lot to read and understand. This is an educational look at how the earth operates. Mother Earth is not just a notion. She is the lifeblood of every living thing. So, recognizing her gifts with an understanding of the wonder of it all is a gift. Every child should have this gift of wonderment. And no one should dampen a child’s wonder.

Laura Ingalls Wilder has created a gift of wonder. According to Wilder, Fairies Still Appear to those with Seeing Eyes. Who are these fairies? They are the Little People who work the soil to help the farmer grow crops. In today’s hardened world that would be the biological elements. But me, I’d rather see them with Seeing Eyes. I’d rather believe that the fairies are still hard at work.

The color intense illustrations are are reminiscent of early playing cards and pretty Scraps kids collected; gorgeous!

Naughty Four O’ Clocks

There were some naughty flowers once,
Who were careless in their play;
They got their petals torn and soiled
As they swung in the dust all day.

Then went to bed at four o’ clock,
With faces covered tight,
To keep the fairy Drop O’ Dew
From washing them at night.

Poor Drop O’ Dew! What could she do?
She said to the Fairy Queen,
I cannot get those Four O’ Clocks
To keep their faces clean.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had forgotten Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote a bit of poetry until a friend mentioned Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Fairy Poems, compiled by Stephen W. Hines, illustrated by Richard Hull. Laura is usually more matter-of-fact than fanciful, though some of her descriptions are lovely. So I was interested to see how she did with fairy poems. Hines provides a brief introduction, telling how Laura came to write the poems for the San Francisco Bulletin. Then he shares an adaptation of an essay Laura wrote called “Fairies Still Appear to Those With Seeing Eyes.”

There are only five poems in the book, spread out over several pages with a number of illustrations. The poems are very old-fashioned, naturally, as they describe the various activities fairies are involved in. I’m not normally into fairy poems, so I don’t know how they would measure up for young readers today.

Honestly, I didn’t care for the illustrations much. I think I would have preferred lighter colors, maybe a watercolor effect. I liked the detail of the plants and animals, but not the fairies and people.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Fairy Poems is compiled by Stephen W. Hines and illustrated by Richard Hull. Delightfully formatted, it is a great addition to my LIW collection and is completely new to me. My copy is a used library edition still with its cellophane covering and the due date card pocket. The illustrations are lushly drawn and colored and the poems are sweet. They have been compiled from LIW's submissions to The San Francisco Bulletin for their "Tuck 'em In Corner" feature. She was in San Francisco visiting her daughter, journalist and author Rose Wilder Lane, whose column it was originally. There are five multi-stanza poems as well as a piece by LIW on believing in fairies. Introduction by Mr. Hines. Delicious.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is tiny, yet delightful, just like the fairies in Wilder's poems. I've always loved Laura Ingalls Wilder for her "Little House" series and for her exciting life on the prairie. These fairy poems make me love her even more!

[Briana Schanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry

3rd-5th grade

When I read this book, it made me feel as if I was in a fairy garden. The painting and drawings are very detailed and pretty. I liked reading the poems throughout the book. I enjoyed the poem's within the book and how they described life as a fairy.

[Nancy Vanderstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew she wrote fairy poems? Her cool quotient just went way up.

[Whitney Pittsenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loves this book. The best part was the introduction! a close second after that were the wonderful illustrations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fairy poems. I love the illustrations.

[Heidi Trowbridge]

Date Read: 11/7/20
Genre: poetry
Grade range: K-6
Reflection: I was always a fan of the Little House series and love this poem book about fairies!

[Kayley Huskonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades: 4-6
Lexile: 900
The collection of fairy poems in this book came about from the happy collaboration that had begun to develop between mother and daughter.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find the illustrations attractive. But I enjoyed the poems and would have liked to read more.

[Jessica Atwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly notable as an interesting bit of the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The poetry is mediocre and the art a bit unnerving. Not terrible, but not great.

[Kari Napier · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute children's book

[Ashley Stangl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. (So this is where the Four O'Clocks poem in one of the Little House books came from!)

[Stephanie Grassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give it 4 stars, but realized that is partially because I only spent $1 on it in a thrift store. Had I shelled out the full price, I would have been disappointed. It is very short and the poems are not outstanding. All of that said, if you fell in love with her books as a child, it is fun reading the poems and adding the book to your collection.

[Shaylee Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fairy poem book was so cute to read! I really enjoyed the poems they had inside and it allows you to flash back to your childhood memories as a little girl. This would be great for students to read, it is simple and short with beautiful pictures to go along with each poem.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet poems. Only a few written for the San Francisco paper her daughter Rose Wilder Lane worked for when Laura stayed with her there. Illustrations are very well done to accompany these poems.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the prettiest poems

[Bree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Notes:
illustrations were too bizarre and distracting
only a handful of poems (six?) spread out over several pages each
maybe I just don't love the subject enough to love this book

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of fairies poems. The poems are nice and the illustrations are colorful, which I like.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful poems to read as bedtime stories for 3 or 4 year olds.