Laura's Ma

Little House Chapter Books: Laura #11

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Renée Graef (Illustrator)

In this tale, Laura discovers that Ma can do anything. She can make butter from milk and hats from a bundle of straw, and she always finds a way to make their little house warm and cosy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Chapter Books, Fiction, Historical

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 1999

About the author

Laura Ingalls Wilder was an American author, journalist, and educator whose "Little House" series transformed the arduous reality of the American frontier into a foundational pillar of children's literature. Born in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s childhood was a nomadic journey through the heart of a shifting nation. Her family moved across Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakota Territory—often staying just ahead of legal evictions or chasing the promise of fertile soil. These years were marked by extreme hardship, including the "Hard Winter" of 1880–81 in De Smet, South Dakota, where the family survived near-starvation. Despite the struggle, these experiences provided the raw material for her eight-volume record of pioneer life, a series that has since been translated into over forty languages.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.

Reviews

[Lynne Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book to my granddaughters.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a condensed version of the Little House books for early readers. The stories in this book focus on Laura's Ma, Caroline. They are just as delightful and charming as the original books.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Laura looked at the China shepherdess and then back to ma's happy face. It didn't matter where they went, Laura thought. Ma could always make an empty house a cozy little home." :)
I don't think there will ever be a series of books that will bring as much joy to my heart. :)

[Cws]

JAR5-Wil

[Miss Kodok · Rating 3 out of 5]

Menceritakan pengalaman Laura mengikuti Pa dan Ma berpindah-pindah rumah dari Big Woods di Wisconsin, Padang Rumput di Kansas hingga ke Minesota. Laura juga pertama kali mengikuti sekolah minggu.