Little Author in the Big Woods (13 page)

For 20 years before the publication of the first Little House book, Laura had already proved herself as a professional writer. Rose was a gifted editor, and her skills were well known and in demand. Like Laura and her own mother, Rose and Laura were very close; it would have been natural for them to discuss their writing and turn to each other for advice and guidance. The Little House books were most likely the product of an unusual collaboration. Laura had the raw material (which Rose also used for her novels for grown-ups, such as
Young Pioneers
,
Cindy
, and
Hillbilly
) and was a good storyteller. Rose had a flair for dramatic pacing and overall structure. If Laura had not written the books, they would not exist, because Rose had no interest in writing for children. But if Rose had not edited them, it is quite possible they never would have been published.

When Laura stopped writing, she and Manly settled into a quiet, contented routine. They still worked in the house and garden. They spent time with friends, played board games, and read. Laura had a keen interest in politics and world events, and she continued to follow both. Mary had died in 1928, four years after Ma. Grace died in 1941. Laura and Carrie, the two remaining sisters, made sure that Pa's fiddle was preserved in a museum in South Dakota. When Carrie died in 1946, Laura was the only Ingalls sister left.

Occasionally, Laura thought about writing another book. But she didn't actually do it. (
The First Four Years
was written around 1940 but not published until 1971.) She was pleased, though, when the existing books were reissued in 1953. This time, they would have new illustrations by Garth Williams, the artist who had illustrated
Charlotte's Web
and
Stuart Little.
When Williams was commissioned to do the illustrations, he was not familiar with any of the places in the books. So he took a trip with his camera and his sketch pad to see them. He recorded landscapes, birds, trees, animals, houses, and towns. He also went to Missouri to meet Laura. Originally, the editor wanted Williams to create eight oil paintings for each of the books—64 in all. But it turned out that would be too expensive. Instead, he used pencil, charcoal, and ink to create the illustrations that have by now become an indelible part of the Little House world. The warm, almost fuzzy look they have seems to perfectly capture the cozy, homespun quality of the Ingalls' lives.

In July 1949, Manly had a heart attack. He was 92 and frail. He survived and even seemed to be getting better. But in October he had another attack, and this time he died. Laura missed him terribly. “It is quiet and lonely here now,” she wrote to a friend. But she remained at Rocky Ridge, where she continued to receive acclaim and honors.

In 1951, people in Mansfield, Missouri, decided to name the local library after her. Although she was not strong, Laura wanted to be at the ceremony. She showed up with her white hair piled high on her head, secured by a gold comb that matched her gold earrings. Her dress was red velvet and very fine. She wore an orchid pinned to one shoulder and looked younger than her 84 years.

Although Laura continued to miss Manly, she found comfort and joy in the love of her ever-widening circle of readers. At the age of 87, she took her first airplane ride, to Danbury, Connecticut, where Rose was living. In 1957, Laura celebrated her 90th birthday. She received cards, letters, greetings, and gifts from all over. It was a wonderful tribute.

But Laura was not well. Three days after her birthday, she died. All over the world, people mourned the loss of the pioneer girl who had grown into one of America's best-loved writers.

 

 

Epilogue

Although Laura died almost 60 years ago, her name is more famous and beloved than ever. Her writing has kept her alive. Altogether she wrote eight books in the Little House series. Collections of letters and diaries exist as well. Her books have remained in print, have been translated into more than 40 languages, and continue to delight new generations of children all over the world.

A successful television series based on the books began in 1974 and ran through 1982. It starred Michael Landon as Pa, and Melissa Gilbert as Laura. The show inspired a spin-off series called
Little House: A New Beginning
, in which new characters appeared. There were also three made-for-television movies:
Little House: Look Back to Yesterday
(1983),
Little House: Bless All the Dear Children
(1984), and
Little House: The Last Farewell
(1984).

Today, people still read her books, watch the movies and the television shows, and visit the places that she immortalized through her words. Museums, historic sites, and homesteads are all preserved and maintained in Burr Oak, Iowa; De Smet, South Dakota; Independence, Kansas; Mansfield, Missouri; Pepin, Wisconsin; and Walnut Grove, Minnesota, places that had meaning in Laura's life. Even though the events she wrote about happened a long time ago, today's readers still find her stories of the American frontier, with its hardships and joys, as exciting as ever.

 

Quotes from Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura was a plainspoken, forthright woman who had a lot to say about life and how to live it. In her letters, diaries, and interviews, she shared her thoughts and feelings about the world. These quotes, taken from multiple sources, make clear her down-home philosophy, one in which simple pleasures and the love of family and friends are the most important things of all.

 

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Every job is good if you do your best and work hard.

Home is the nicest word there is.

If enough people think of a thing and work hard enough at it, I guess it's pretty nearly bound to happen, wind and weather permitting.

Once you begin being naughty, it is easier to go on and on, and sooner or later something dreadful happens.

It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.

Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all.

Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you have received from God. Don't waste it.

The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they're organized for.

It is not the things you have that make you happy. It is love and kindness and helping each other and just plain being good.

There's no great loss without some small gain.

The only stupid thing about words is the spelling of them.

It is a good idea sometimes to think of the importance and dignity of our every-day duties. It keeps them from being so tiresome.

Remember well, and bear in mind, a constant friend is hard to find.