Little House on the Prairie - Definition and Overview

Little House on the Prairie (1935) is a children's book by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The book details the life of the Ingalls family (Charles, Caroline, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and the Brindle Bulldog Jack) as they travel west from Wisconsin in a covered wagon, in order to settle in "Indian Territory". It covers the trip, building the house, digging a well, and other events in pioneer life. Mr. Edwards is introduced in this book. In one chapter, Mr. Edwards meets Santa Claus and brings Christmas presents for the girls. Throughout the book, the threat of Indians, wolves, and panthers loom, but Pa keeps them all safe.

Little House on the Prairie is part of a series of books about Wilder's childhood in a pioneer family. The series formed the basis of a television series, also called Little House on the Prairie, starring Michael Landon. The books are generally classified as historical fiction rather than autobiography. Wilder began writing the series at the age of 65.

In recent years, controversy has surrounded the role of Wilder's daughter, author and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane, as either a silent editor or ghostwriter of her mother's books.

External link

• The official historic site of the Little House on the Prairie (http://www.littlehouseonprairie.com/) as designated by the State of Kansas is located southwest of Independence, Kansas.