Laura Ingalls: Little House on the Prairie and beyond

You have probably heard about the incredible stories by Laura Ingalls, but even if you haven’t, you can still check them out. Laura Ingalls was one of the most popular writers of children’s books.

Understanding who Laura Ingalls is and her significance as an author of children’s literature

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American writer, and she wrote a widely popular children’s book series. She was born in 1867 in Wisconsin, and her parents were Charles Ingalls and Caroline Ingalls. Her home in Pepin was the main inspiration for the first book.

Laura Ingalls was an influential woman. She worked hard for women’s rights, and she focused on inspiring others. During her childhood, she and her family moved a lot. She was born in Wisconsin but had to move to Iowa, Mansfield (Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri), and South Dakota after that.

The Ingalls family included Laura, her parents, and her sisters: Mary, Carrie, and Grace. She also had a baby brother who died shortly after birth named Charles Frederick.

She was a teacher, a writer, a mother, a pioneer girl, one of the first Libertarians, and so much more. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life was exciting, and if you have children, they need to check out one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books.

Ingalls’ Little House on the Prairie Series

The most popular book Laura Ingalls wrote is Little House on the Prairie. And the success of the book helped her start the series of beloved books for children. Between 1932 and 1943, Ingalls published eight Little House books.

Her writing career started when she was invited to write an article for the Missouri Ruralist, and the rest is history. It gained her the audience of the Ozarks and many others. The majority of stories are based on her trips to San Francisco, De Smet, and other locations.

Little House in the Big Woods (1932)

Little House in the Big Woods is an autobiographical novel for children, and it was published in 1932. It was also the book that started the popular series. While the majority of events and situations are based on true stories and moments from Laura Ingalls’ life, some parts are changed to make it more exciting for readers.

The book is often listed as one of the best books for children.

Farmer Boy (1933)

Farmer Boy is a historical novel and the second book in the Little House series. Although Farmer Boy came out in 1933 after Little House in the Big Woods, the story is not related to it.

The primary focus of the novel is Almanzo Wilder’s childhood, who later became Laura Ingalls’ husband.

Little House on the Prairie (1935)

Little House on the Prairie is the third book in the series. The 1935 novel tells the story of Ingalls spending a few months in the Kansas prairie, close to a town called Independence. The house featured in this story was built on the Osage territory, belonging to Native Americans.

The main difference compared to the previous book on the list is that there is a constant sense of danger.

On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)

On the Banks of Plum Creek is the fourth book in the series, and it is inspired by Laura’s childhood and the time she spent at Plum Creek in Minnesota near Walnut Grove. The book was published in 1937, and it received awards in the following years.

The story is a continuation of the third book after Laura left the prairie.

By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)

The next entry in the series is By the Shores of Silver Lake. The 1939 story starts at Plum Creek, and the entire span of the story is around a year. Eventually, Laura arrives in the South Dakota territory, but the troubles do not end there.

The Ingalls family travels to De Smet, and Silver Lake is located next to this small town.

The Long Winter (1940)

The Long Winter is the sixth book, and it starts a year after the previous one. Laura is fourteen years old in this book, and the story is set during the severe winter of 1880. While the story begins during a hot summer day, the weather changes quickly.

As with the majority of other entries in the series, The Long Winter received numerous awards.

Little Town on the Prairie (1941)

The seventh book in the series, Little Town on the Prairie, was published in 1941. The story returns to De Smet, and it follows the Long Winter that happened in 1880 and 1881. Laura becomes a teacher, with the idea of helping her sister Mary.

During the events of the book, Laura is fifteen years old, and this is her first job.

These Happy Golden Years (1943)

These Happy Golden Years is the last book published while Laura was alive, and it was supposed to be the ending of the series. The novel came out in 1943, and it focuses on Laura’s adolescent years.

As with the previous entry, the story is set in De Smet during her early years as a teacher. It also covers a longer period of time between 1882 and 1885. The book ends with her married to Almanzo Wilder.

The First Four Years (1971)

The First Four Years came out in 1971, and it was published posthumously. Many people consider this book to be the ninth installation in the series, and it is a bit more mature compared to other entries.

The story continues after the wedding, and it was apparently written in the forties. The book was illustrated by Garth Williams.

The mainstream impact and rise in popularity of the Little House on the Prairie Series

Over the years, the popularity of the series only grew. Laura Ingalls received numerous awards and became one of the most influential women of the era. Additionally, the book series was adapted into a television series, which became popular not only in the U.S. but throughout the world.

In addition to the TV series, there were three made-for-TV movies that served as spin-offs. The long-running TV show starred Melissa Gilbert as Laura and Michael Landon as her father, Charles.

Read the Little House on The Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls on Speechify Audiobooks

Whether you wish to visit Walnut Grove for the first time through Laura Ingalls’ autobiographical children’s book series or are a long-time fan of the Little House on the Prairie TV series and want to dive deeper into the lives of the actors who portrayed the main characters, Speechify Audiobooks is the platform for you.

Speechify Audiobooks features an impressive amount of audiobooks across all genres, from the family-friendly Little House on the Prairie children’s books written by Laura Ingalls to the adult novel Caroline by Sarah Miller – a recreation of Laura’s mother, Caroline Ingalls’ life authorized by the Little House Heritage Trust.

With Speechify Audiobooks, you can also take a deeper dive into the personal lives of the actors of the Little House TV franchise by listening to books such as Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered (2022), the latest memoir written by Melissa Gilbert who portrayed Laura each week for nine seasons or David R. Greenland’s take on Laura’s TV dad, Michael Landon, in Michael Landon: The Career and Artistry of a Television Genius.

Listen to all of Laura Ingalls’ Little House series including, Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years when you sign up for Speechify Audiobooks today. Plus, enjoy your first audiobook for free.

FAQ

Are there any Ingalls alive today?

While there are a few living relatives of Laura Ingalls, none of them is her direct descendant. Laura had two children, but only one of them lived to adulthood. Her daughter Rose Wilder Lane was unable to have children.

How old was Laura Ingalls when she married Almanzo?

Laura was eighteen years old when she married Almanzo Wilder. The wedding was on August 25, 1885. And the ceremony was held in De Smet. The first few years were rough, and Almanzo was left partially paralyzed due to diphtheria.

Eventually, the couple moved to Florida, hoping it would improve Almanzo’s health.

How old was Laura Ingalls when she died?

Laura Ingalls was 90 when she died. She died on February 10, 1957, in Missouri. Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum is known as Rocky Ridge Farm, and the birthplace in Wisconsin is commemorated by a log cabin replica.

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum offer additional documents and writings by Laura Ingalls.