Laura Ingalls Wilder defined our notion of American pioneer life

Laura Ingalls Wilder: American Writer on the Prairie by Sallie Ketcham

For many of us, pioneer life was defined by the Little House on the Prairie series, whether watching it on television, or curled up with a book. Wilder’s detailed descriptions, from Christmas in the wilderness to the frightening decimation of the land by locusts, captured our imaginations. To this day, I still can envision Pa melting lead to craft bullets by the fireside, and almost taste Almanzo’s slab of apple pie.

Perhaps it is that attention to detail that made her one of the most famous writers of children’s literature, and keeps us fascinated. Every summer the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, Minnesota holds a Wilder Pageant almost nightly in July to entertain thousands of visitors. LauraPalooza brings together scholars and readers to an academic conference focused solely on research and presentations about Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books. There are books, films and retrospectives about Wilder’s life and works.

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One of the latest is a new biography especially for students, but a find for any fan. Laura Ingalls Wilder: American Writer on the Prairie gives readers that in-depth look into Wilder’s life that they want. Author Sallie Ketcham, herself from Minnesota, and a fan, has written a detailed biography of Wilder, putting her life into historical context. She explores, for example, Caroline’s own experiences with the Native American conflict with white settlers, and how that influenced how Laura perceived the American Indians she saw. Ketcham deftly dissects fact from fiction, helping us appreciate how Wilder wove fact with fiction to tell her story.

Part of the Routledge Historical Americans series, there is also a supporting website with documents and links for further research, and a treasure trove for any reader.  This book would be a welcome addition to any history fan’s shelf.