The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Marta McDowell

The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Marta McDowell ISBN-13: 9781604697278 Hardcover: 390 pages Publisher: Timber Press Released: Sept. 20, 2017

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
A must-read companion to the Little House books. 2017 is the 150th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthday. Her beloved Little House series tells a classic coming-of-age story based on Wilder’s own family life and is a reflection of the pioneer spirit of the time. They are also deeply rooted in the natural world. The plants, animals, and landscapes are so integral to the stories, they are practically their own characters.

The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by New York Times bestselling author Marta McDowell, explores Wilder’s deep relationship to the landscape. Follow the wagon trail of the series, starting in the Wisconsin setting of Little House in the Big Woods to the Dakotas and finally to Missouri. Throughout, you’ll learn details about Wilder’s life and inspirations, discover how to visit the real places today, and even learn to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the stories.

The artful package includes original illustrations by Helen Sewell and Garth Williams, along with historical and contemporary photographs.


My Review:
The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a companion book to the Little House books. We're told the locations and dates for each book in the series. Going book by book, the author explained things like the history of each location and what was typical for the area at that time. She also gave more detail on the plants and farm work mentioned in the books. There were many pictures and illustrations of the places, tools, and plants. She included maps showing the locations where Laura lived.

Basically, each chapter was a companion to a book or location in the series: Wisconsin Woods (Little House in the Big Woods), New York Farm (Farmer Boy), Prairie of Kansas (Little House on the Prairie), Creekside in Minnesota & Iowa (On the Banks of Plum Creek), The Dakota Prairie (By the Shores of Silver Lake and The Long Winter), Settled Farm & Settled Town (Little Town on the Prairie and These Happy Golden Years), and Great Plains to Ozark Ridge (The First Four Years). The author also covered Laura's life at Rocky Ridge Farm and Rock Home (based on letters, newspapers, and other writings).

She ended by describing the places that a person might enjoy visiting if interested in seeing the places where Laura Wilder lived. She also included a list of plants mentioned in the books for those interested in planting those flowers, trees, etc. The book was a fun, quick read. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting book to fans of the Little House series.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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