Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie Cast Book Collection

 

As a book lover, I have a few collections. One of my most beloved is all the books by or about Laura Ingalls Wilder, her family, her writings, and those by Little House on the Prairie cast members. Currently, the collection comprises 124 books. I've read most of them. 

Do you collect books? If you do, which collection is your favorite? 

Book Review: Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond by Dean Butler

 

Dean Butler brought Almanzo James Wilder to life for legions of Little House on the Prairie fans in the late 70s and early 80s. Now, learn about his life, his career, and more in Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond.

Since Dean signed my hardcover book when I saw him in Farmington, Connecticut, last year, I downloaded an Audible copy of the book to read this wonderful memoir of his early life, details of his career--including roles I had totally forgotten about like CHiPs, personal interactions with family, friends and fans, the complicated relationship with his father, former love interests and his appreciation for his beloved wife Katherine, and people he considers influential. 

Coming from an affluent family allowed him to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, but as Butler shares, it didn't come easily for him. With advice from his father, he would eventually return to finish college, something he expresses gratitude for. He discusses how even back in his Little House days, he was interested in work behind the camera, and shares how he came to work on the talk show, Feherty. It was also nice to hear more about his theater work. 

Prairie Man is told in a way that is respectful of those involved. Honestly, I couldn't expect the Dean Butler I've been lucky to meet more than once at events to be any different. There were a few surprises along the way, which I won't spoil, but Dean, like Almanzo, is that quiet and shy guy who occasionally allows his stubbornness and pride to get in the way. He even admits how much like his most notable role he is--which won't surprise any Little House fan. 

I'm not sure if Dean recalls this, but back in the days of the Dean's Divas Yahoo Group, we had asked if he was ever going to write a memoir. As an aside, I appreciate the mention of Dean's Divas in the Acknowledgments.

For those of us who have followed Dean's career for decades, Prairie Man is a welcome addition to books by other Little House on the Prairie cast members. And if you follow the Little House: Fifty for 50 Podcast, you'll know he is already at work on a second book very different from his memoir. 

While I don't think we learn anything new about Butler's time on the show that he is most well known for, Prairie Man provides insight into a life that has spanned close to seven decades, many years of which have involved his connection and commitment to the legacy of a young American pioneer girl who has captured the hearts of generations. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Citadel
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 25, 2024
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0806543299
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0806543291

I purchased a hardcover and audio version of this book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

How Many Books Exactly?

 

For anyone who knows me, they might say I am a little obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and the shows based upon them. Though I have explained that the books weren't my favorites as a kid, Little House on the Prairie was a show I never missed. 

In the years that have followed, I've enjoyed watching Laura's universe expand in a multitude of ways:

• The Rose, Caroline, Charlotte, and Martha books,
• The books about other characters and historical figures from the Little House books, 
• The books that tie to Wilder and her books in some way, 
• Homestead sites and museums,
• The 2005 Little House on the Prairie television miniseries,
• The two Beyond the Prairie movies,
• Cast reunions and memoirs...

... and the numerous other books about Laura and her family that continue to make their way into world. 

Over the weekend, I catalogued all the books in my Laura Ingalls Wilder collection, which includes books in all of the above mentioned categories. I discovered over the years that I tend to forget all the books I own, so I've occasionally bought a book more than once. If that happens, I donate it to my local library, which runs an annual book sale. 

The total books in my Laura Ingalls Wilder collection stands at 122. I have shared some of them at Laura's Little Houses through the years. I might do that with some of the more recent additions to my collection. Does that sound interesting to you? Let me know in the comments. 

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Coming in June 2024: Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond by Dean Butler

 

An illuminating, insider’s journey through the world of Little House on the Prairie and beyond, from Dean Butler, who starred as Almanzo Wilder, the man Laura “Half Pint” Ingalls married—on the iconic show still beloved by millions of fans as it reaches its 50th anniversary.

With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie)!

Cast just before his twenty-third birthday, Dean Butler joined Little House on the Prairie halfway through its run, gaining instant celebrity and fans’ enduring affection. Ironically, when the late, great Michael Landon remarked that Little House would outlive everyone involved in making it, Butler deemed it unlikely. Yet for four decades and counting, Butler has been defined in the public eye as Almanzo Wilder—a role he views as the great gift of his life.

Butler had been cast as a romantic lead before, notably in the made-for-TV movie of Judy Blume’s Forever, opposite Stephanie Zimbalist. But Little House was, and remains, one of the most treasured shows in television history. As the eventual husband of Laura “Half-pint” Ingalls—and the man who would share actress Melissa Gilbert’s first real-life romantic kiss—Butler landed as a central figure for the show’s devoted fans.

Now, with wit and candor, Butler recounts his passage through the Prairie, sharing stories and anecdotes of the remarkable cast who were his on-screen family. But that was merely the beginning of a diverse career that includes Broadway runs and roles on two other classic shows—Moondoggie in The New Gidget and Buffy’s ne’er-do-well father, Hank, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Coming of age during a golden era of entertainment, Butler has evolved along with it, and today enjoys success and fulfillment as a director and producer—notably of NBC Golf’s Feherty—while remaining deeply loyal to Little House. 

The warmth, heart, and decency that fans of Laura and Almanzo fell in love with on Little House echo through this uplifting memoir, a story, in Butler’s words, about “good luck, good television, and the very good—if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.”

Available for pre-order now at Amazon!

Audiobook Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee Now Availalble!

 

The audiobook version of Wendi Lou Lee's memoir, Red Tail Feathers, is now available. You can listen to a sample at Amazon.

Release Day: Red Tail Feathers by #LHOP's "Baby Grace" Wendi Lou Lee

 

From the actress who starred as "Baby Grace" on the beloved series, Little House on the Prairie, comes an uplifting memoir about finding the grace of God in every chapter of life. With candor and insight, Wendi Lou Lee takes us through her early days in show business to life-changing events of adulthood, including her brain surgery in 2015. Starting with a red-tailed bird camouflaged by a shrub, Red Tail Feathers traces Wendi's reflective journey of discovering God's grace in all of life's circumstances and challenges you to do the same. 

Red Tail Feathers reminds us to keep our eyes wide open so we can recognize God's goodness as we dare to discover the beauty of grace around us. When we do, He exceeds our most wild and simple dreams. 

"The possibility of finding a sliver of goodness sends me searching for the evidence of it. If I look hard enough, I believe I can always find it."

Purchase from:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Better World Books

Indiebound

Thriftbooks

Or visit the book's page on Goodreads to find your other favorite retailer. You can visit Wendi Lou Lee at the following:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Etsy

Coming in August: Red Tail Feathers by Wendi Lou Lee

 

From the actress who starred as “Baby Grace” on the beloved series Little House on the Prairie comes an uplifting memoir about finding the grace of God in every chapter of life. With candor and insight, Wendi Lou Lee takes us through her early days in show business to life-changing events of adulthood, including her brain surgery in 2015. Starting with a red-tailed bird camouflaged by a shrub, Red Tail Feathers traces Wendi’s reflective journey of discovering God’s grace in all of life’s circumstances and challenges you to do the same.

Red Tail Feathers reminds us to keep our eyes wide open so we can recognize God’s goodness as we dare to discover the beauty of grace around us. When we do, He exceeds our most wild and simple dreams.

Visit Goodreads to add Wendi's upcoming book to your "Want to Read" list. 

Available Now: Back to the Prairie by Melissa Gilbert

I bought this new book from Melissa Gilbert when it came out. I am in the middle of reading it now. Did any of you buy it yet?

The New York Times bestselling author and star of Little House on the Prairie returns with a new hilarious and heartfelt memoir chronicling her journey from Hollywood to a ramshackle house in the Catskills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Known for her childhood role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the classic NBC show Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert has spent nearly her entire life in Hollywood. From Dancing with the Stars to a turn in politics, she was always on the lookout for her next project. She just had no idea that her latest one would be completely life changing.

When her husband introduces her to the wilds of rural Michigan, Melissa begins to fall back in love with nature. And when work takes them to New York, they find a rustic cottage in the Catskill Mountains to call home. But “rustic” is a generous description for the state of the house, requiring a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for the newlyweds to make habitable.

When the pandemic descends on the world, it further nudges Melissa out of the spotlight and into the woods. She trades Botox treatments for DIY projects, power lunching for gardening and raising chickens, and soon her life is rediscovered anew in her own little house in the Catskills.

Visit Goodreads to purchase from your preferred retailer. 

Book Review: Ketty Lester: From The Cotton Fields To Grammy Nominated "Love Letters" to Little House on the Prairie by Revoyda F. Buckley

For fans of Little House on the Prairie, she is known as Hester-Sue Terhune. To her family, she is Re-V or Vorda--a unique name given to a talented woman who had careers as a pop/R&B singer and an actress in movies and television.

Ketty Lester: From The Cotton Fields To Grammy Nominated "Love Letters" to Little House on the Prairie brings you through Buckley's beginnings as the fifteenth child to a farming family, to leaving home and attending college for nursing, to her performing in clubs as Ketty Lester and recording records, to her acting career which spanned decades.

Told in a style as if you were sitting across the table with Buckley asking her about her life, you discover she has loved and lost, she has known the challenges of having a career in a competitive industry, she dealt with discrimination and unequal pay, and she has met and worked with other amazing industry professionals.

This is a story told in chronological order which includes several pictures, her filmography, and discography.  This autobiography held nothing back. It will make you admire and feel compassion for Buckley. Though she is now retired, her mark on music and film remains.

As a fan of Little House on the Prairie, I am glad I read this story. I learned more about this talented woman than I knew before. Though the editor in me wanted a more polished version of the story, I totally believe that there is a lot to be said for being true to yourself and telling an authentic story in your own way, which is just what Buckley did.

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher:  Elite Publishing House (April 20, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0578662337
ISBN-13: 978-0578662336

I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. This review contains my honest opinions, which I was not compensated for in any way.

Available for Pre-order: Ketty Lester: From The Cotton Fields To Grammy Nominated "Love Letters" to Little House on the Prairie

God has blessed Ketty Lester to achieve so much in her lifetime. Growing up in the cotton fields of Little Rock, Arkansas, to her first performance at the infamous Purple Onion in San Francisco, California, with wonderful greats like Maya Angelou and Phyllis Diller, she is most remembered for her 1962 recording of "Love Letters Straight From Your Heart," also known as "Love Letters," which stayed on the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom for three years and rerecorded by many artists.

The next most-remembered performance was the first horror movie for Blacks in 1972, which was Blacula. She was a lead, playing Juanita Jones, a vampire. The third role, which was her last, longest-running television series, was Hester-Sue Terhune on Little House on the Prairie from 1977 to 1983. She played the only Black female teacher in the series.

Between the Purple Onion and Little House on the Prairie, Ketty Lester's life bubbled over with successes, accolades, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with many of the "firsts" Blacks in Hollywood to appear in television commercials, on daytime soap operas, and to co-star in Julia, the first weekly series to depict an African American woman, Diahann Carroll, in a non-stereotypical role.

Though Ketty enjoyed one acting role after another, and released multiple albums and singles, life was no crystal stairs or a bed of roses. As you share this journey with Ketty, so will you agree that she is a great role model and that she is puts the "T" in triumph.

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Elite Publishing House (April 20, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0578662337
ISBN-13: 978-0578662336

Pre-order here!

Book Review: Little House in Hollywood Hills by Charlotte Stewart

For those who thought maybe Charlotte Stewart was defined only as the beautiful and kind schoolteacher on Little House on the Prairie, Little House in the Hollywood Hills will show what a diverse and talented actress she really is. Though definitely more well known as Ms. Beadle (LHOP) or Betty Briggs from Twin Peaks, Stewart's career has spanned decades and found her on everything from soap operas to TV shows to big screen movies like Tremors. 

In her classy, eloquent style, Stewart shares her work, her life, and her personal struggles. She shares glimpses into what an actor's life is and about the addictions and breast cancer diagnosis she's had to fight along the way. She shares memories of her husbands and the actors she has worked with. You come away feeling like you really know her.

It took me a while to read Little House in the Hollywood Hills, mostly due to my other commitments, but it also reads at a much slower pace than some other celebrity memoirs. Three other female stars from Little House on the Prairie have written memoirs, and you'll notice the slow and steady pace of Stewart's book is different from the others. You're really immersing yourself into her life, and she brings you in calmly and casually and holds you there for a moment or two before bringing you further. It's very much a book that captures the essence of the Charlotte Stewart I met at a cast reunion in 2014.

Little House in the Hollywood Hills is the perfect addition to your Little House on the Prairie book or TV tie-in collection.

Paperback: 326 pages
Publisher: BearManor Media (April 7, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159393906X
ISBN-13: 978-1593939069

I purchased this book from Amazon. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Lessons from the Prairie by Melissa Francis

Check out what I bought for my birthday! Listening to it right now. One little thing I have an issue with is in the description; Little House on the Prairie was not a soap opera. 

"Lessons from the Prairie delivers one belly laugh after another as Melissa tees up an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to tackling life's toughest challenges, and making your life happier." - Megyn Kelly

For fans of the beloved TV show Little House on the Prairie, a self-help book by Melissa Francis, bestselling author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter and child star of Little House, revealing important life lessons inspired by a childhood on set.

Melissa Francis was only eight years old when she won the role of a lifetime: playing Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on the world's most famous prime-time soap opera, Little House on the Prairie.
Now in Lessons from the Prairie, she shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set, and lessons learned from the show's dynamic creator, Michael Landon, that have echoed throughout Melissa's adult life. With novel insights on hard work, making mistakes, and even spirituality, Francis shares inspirational and practical life lessons that will appeal both to her current TV fans, and fans of one of the most adored TV shows of all time.

You can order your copy at Amazon.

New Book from Melissa Francis: Lessons from the Prairie

For fans of the beloved TV show Little House on the Prairie, a self-help book by Melissa Francis, bestselling author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter and child star of Little House, revealing important life lessons inspired by a childhood on set.

Melissa Francis was only eight years old when she won the role of a lifetime: playing Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on the world's most famous prime-time soap opera, Little House on the Prairie. Now in Lessons from the Prairie, she shares behind-the-scenes stories from the set, and lessons learned from the show's dynamic creator, Michael Landon, that have echoed throughout Melissa's adult life. With novel insights on hard work, making mistakes, and even spirituality, Francis shares inspirational and practical life lessons that will appeal both to her current TV fans, and fans of one of the most adored TV shows of all time.


Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: Weinstein Books (April 25, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602863067
ISBN-13: 978-1602863064

Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) Wrote A Book!

Actress Charlotte Stewart, who played Miss Beadle on Little House on the Prairie, shared the cover of her upcoming book on her Facebook page. We'll post more news as we have it.

Now, if I could just get Dean Butler to write a memoir all would be right with my world.

Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert -- Book Review

Melissa Gilbert shares her life in a courageous, edgy memoir. In Prairie Tale, Gilbert tells the story of her complicated life that was very different from the life of the character who made her famous as a child star, Laura Ingalls.

Talking about the loving and often tense relationship with her mother, the death of her father, her time hanging with the Brat Pack, her television career, Michael Landon, and more, Gilbert opens her heart to draw the reader into her life story. Gilbert shares how she met her biological family, dealt with feelings of being unloved because she was given up for adoption, how she buried the pain with alcohol, and eventually overcame her addiction.

Inviting readers into her roles as wife, mother, and actor, Gilbert shares her story with eloquence. Perhaps this is why the many vulgarities caught me off guard. Not because I expect her to be as wholesome as her characters, but because unlike Alison Arngrim's memoir, where the style allowed for the inclusion of some vulgarities without interrupting the flow of the prose, the cruder words in Prairie Tale, seem to be dropped into the middle of an elegant story and leave you wondering if they are placed there for effect. This took away from my overall enjoyment of the book, but I still thought Gilbert did an excellent job with how she brought the reader along her journey.

Little House on the Prairie fans and fans of Melissa Gilbert will enjoy this one, even if the language is a bit shocking.


Title: Prairie Tale
Author: Melissa Gilbert
Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ISBN-10: 1416599142
ISBN-13: 978-1416599142
SRP: $26.00

New Survey Posted in the Sidebar

I just posted a new survey for the month of July in the sidebar. This one asks if you've read Alison Arngrim's book, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch and what you thought of it. Feel free to expand your thoughts here.

Thanks for taking the time to vote!

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim - Book Review

If you are looking for a book that is funny, irreverent, and courageous, look no further than Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim. In a style you come to expect from the woman who portrayed Nellie Oleson for many seasons on Little House on the Prairie, Arngrim shares her story from her childhood, the years she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a relative, her years on Little House, and beyond. This is a woman who isn't shy about opening up, and you'll love her for it.

I found this great video clip a while back, which you'll find below. Watch this, and you'll pretty much know what to expect for Arngrim's writing style.

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch was a very enlightening read. I must live under a rock because I didn't know Arngrim came from a family of entertainers, nor did I know the identity of the person who abused her for years; both of which seem like fairly common knowledge.

Argrim provided a great deal of behind the scenes stuff and spoke of many of her co-stars. I wish she had been a bit kinder to Melissa Sue Anderson, but overall, I didn't feel she exposed any horrible or damaging secrets. She spoke lovingly of her time on the set, and shared how portraying Nellie helped her deal with the problems at home. She also spent some time talking about the late Steve Tracy, who played her husband, Percival Dalton.

As a fan of the show, I have always felt that Arngrim and Tracy had such wonderful on-screen chemistry. It is such a shame he passed away so young. Argrim speaks of that loss, Michael Landon's passing, her role as an AIDS activist, and her involvement in PROTECT.org.

I read Confessions of a Prairie Bitch in under a day. The minute it arrived, I opened it up, and I pretty much didn't stop reading until the kids cried of starvation. So, I tossed them a loaf of bread and some water and kept on reading. Just kidding. I didn't want to stop reading. I couldn't stop reading. As soon as I was done I was ready to read it again.

Alison Arngrim is a natural storyteller. I can see why her comedy act is so popular. If you're a fan of Little House on the Prairie, Nellie Oleson, Arngrim, or just want to read a hilarious book that you can't put down, pick up a copy of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch. You won't be sorry!




Title: Confessions of a Prairie Bitch
Author: Alison Arngrim
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0-06-196214-1
SRP: $25.99

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch is on its Way

I received an email from Amazon yesterday stating that my copy of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated shipped. I am so excited. Out of the three Little House on the Prairie cast autobiographies--Melissa Gilbert, Melissa (Sue) Anderson, and Alison Arngrim--Alison's is the one I wanted to read the most.

She's been promoting the book for a while. There is word that she was on the Today show this morning. I haven't had time to check. If you're on Facebook or Twitter, you'll find Alison there too.

I'll share my thoughts on this book after I read it.

The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House by Melissa Anderson -- Book Review

In her new memoir, The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House, Melissa Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls on the classic family show Little House on the Prairie, shares her memories of several Little House episodes and her career during her time on the iconic show.

Taking readers from her initial meeting with beloved creator, actor and producer, Michael Landon, through After-School Specials, Love Boat episodes, The Equalizer, and more, Anderson speaks fondly of the career she temporarily left behind to raise her family.

Out of the three books recently written by Little House on the Prairie cast members, this is the one I wanted to read the most. We still hear a lot about Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim, but Anderson walked away from the business and had maintained her privacy for years. Knowing she was finally ready to discuss with fans her Little House years, found me pre-ordering the book from Amazon as soon as it was posted. Despite the fact that I have over 60 books in my TBR pile, the minute this book arrived on my doorstep, I cracked it open and began reading. Perhaps that's why my disappointment seems so great.

I wanted to get to know more about Melissa Anderson, her relationships with the cast and crew of my favorite show, and how she handled being a child star. It ended with me not feeling I learned much more than when I started.

The Way I See It is mostly recaps of Little House episodes in which the character of Mary played a significant role. In addition, there are spots where the dialogue from the episodes is quoted. Having been a fan since childhood, I could probably recite most of these episodes back from memory.

While Anderson shared some memories of Michael Landon and Karen Grassle, the rest of the cast and crew received minimal nods. She didn't speak ill of them, but I felt after so long on a show, she would have more to share about those people she grew up around. I wasn't looking for dirt on who she might not have gotten along with, but it seems like her need for privacy prevented her from offering anything new to readers.

I admire Melissa Anderson. She's beautiful, she's talented, and I would love to see her back on the small screen again. She gave up her career to raise her family and she's not sorry about it. While I am glad I purchased the book so that I can add it to my Laura Ingalls Wilder/LHOP collection, I wish she had been willing to open up more about the role that defined her career.


Title: The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House
Author: Melissa Anderson
Publisher: Globe Pequot Press
ISBN: 978-0-7627-5970-5
SRP: $22.95