Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Yvonne Pope (Editor)

Before writing her Little House series, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote articles and weekly columns for a newspaper in Mansfield, Mo. In Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom, artist Yvonne Pope has collected quotes from these early writings. The quotes convey Laura's homespun wisdom and witty personality that made her beloved by all who have read her work. These heartwarming quotes are paired with Yvonne's own beautifully colorful pen and ink drawings that compliment Laura's whimsical and spirited personality. Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom is a must for anyone who grew up reading the Little House series but is also for anyone searching for inspiration from a woman who knew a few things about the importance of family, friends, and values. Laura's spirit is revealed through her own " We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts. " No one ever achieved anything from the smallest object to the greatest unless the dream was dreamed first.

Genres: Nonfiction

78 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2006

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

[Lil Old Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of some of Laura Ingalls Wilder's inspiring quotes from her earlier work. Short and sweet with some very pretty illustrations.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small collection of quotes from Wilder's earlier work. Quick read with sweet illustrations included. Enjoyed! Wish there were more pages, though.

[Meandmy Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're feeling sad read this little book, if you're feeling happy read this little book, if you need to be lifted up read this little book!! It has So many things to make the heart soar!!!
"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies!"
One of my favorite quotes from this Book!

[Renata Shura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book of liw’s quotes.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the artwork

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the cute illustrations, and there are some good quotes . . . some not-so-good ones, as well. Overall I like it, and it's a really quick read. :)