"Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs."
With these opening words from Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder secured her place in the world of children's literature.
I'm sure most of you know the story by now. At the age of sixty-three, Laura was saddened to realize that so many people she knew and loved had passed away and that the things they did and the dreams they had might be forgotten. So, at her daughter Rose's request, Laura sat down at her desk and wrote the stories of her childhood.
Even though the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, Virginia Kirkus, an editor at Harper's realized the potential of Laura's story, and once published, Little House in the Big Woods was praised by critics across the country.
What Laura had seen as a one-book adventure of the Ingalls's life in the Big Woods, turned into an eight book series, with the ninth book, The First Four Years, being published after her death.
On Laura's 142nd birthday, we think fondly upon the little girl who lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin in her little grey house made of logs. We thank Laura for sharing the spirit of the pioneering life with generations of children worldwide. We feel blessed that her books have been turned into movies and television shows that allow us to appreciate the life the Ingalls and Wilder families lived. And lastly, we are thankful for those whose continued interest in Laura's life brings us new ways to discover the world of the Little House all over again.
Happy Birthday Laura!
