Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder

Early Life on the Prairie

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born on February 7, 1867, in the log cabin home of her parents, Charles and Caroline Ingalls, in Pepin County, Wisconsin. She was the second of five children, and from her earliest years, she was immersed in the challenges and hardships of frontier life.

Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Woman behind the Legend (Missouri Biography Series Book 1)

by John E. Miller

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5694 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages

FREE

The Ingalls family moved westward with the waves of settlers, homesteading on the Great Plains of Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. Laura's childhood was marked by the constant struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. She experienced firsthand the dangers of storms, wildfires, and animal attacks.

Formative Experiences

Despite the arduous circumstances, Laura's childhood was also filled with wonder, adventure, and learning. She had a close bond with her family, and she found solace in the natural beauty of the prairie, which she would later immortalize in her books.

Laura received little formal education, but she was an avid reader and had a thirst for knowledge. She devoured books from her father's small library, and she used her imagination to create vivid worlds and characters.

The Birth of a Writer

As Laura matured, she developed a passion for writing. She kept a journal where she recorded her experiences, and she began to submit stories to magazines and newspapers. In 1894, she married Almanzo Wilder, a farmer, and they settled down in De Smet, South Dakota.

The "Little House on the Prairie" Series

In the early 1900s, after her husband's health declined, Laura began writing the "Little House on the Prairie" series. These autobiographical novels chronicled her childhood experiences on the frontier, weaving together vivid descriptions of daily life, the challenges of homesteading, and the enduring bonds of family.

The first book in the series, "Little House in the Big Woods," was published in 1932, when Laura was 65 years old. It was an immediate success, and over the next decade, she wrote seven more books in the series.

Legacy

Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House on the Prairie" series has become an American classic, loved by generations of readers. Her books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Wilder's writing not only tells the story of her own life but also paints a vivid picture of the American frontier experience. Her stories have inspired countless readers, young and old, to appreciate the challenges and triumphs of pioneer life, the importance of family, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's journey from a young pioneer girl to a beloved author is a testament to her resilience, determination, and love of storytelling. Her "Little House on the Prairie" series has become a literary treasure, preserving the history and spirit of the American frontier. Through her writing, Wilder has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and enchant readers of all ages.

Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Woman behind the Legend (Missouri Biography Series Book 1)

by John E. Miller

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5694 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	320 pages

FREE