Books in Order: Exploring the Works of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) was a remarkable American author who brought to life her own experiences of growing up in a pioneer family through the lens of the universally beloved Little House series. Before gracing the literary world with her vivid recounting of family, farm life, and immeasurable grit, Laura held roles as a teacher as well as a farmer.
Her literary triumph, the Little House series, has been adapted multiple times, most notably into a TV series that captivated audiences from 1974 to 1983, and subsequently inspired film sequels. However, her journey to authorship is just as interesting as the books she penned.
The Making of a Storyteller
Laura Ingalls Wilder was encouraged to write the Little House series by her daughter, Rose. The extent of Rose’s participation in the series often sparks debates among critics. Some argue that she may have been a ghostwriter for the series while others suggest she merely encouraged her mother to put pen to paper. Regardless of the extent of her involvement, it’s clear that Rose played a vital role in the creation of the Little House in the Big Woods.
The book was started in 1931 and published in 1932, setting off a profound legacy that continues to engage readers today. The most famous book in the series, Little House on the Prairie, was published just three years later.
Books in Order: The Glowing Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Here is a list of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books in order of when they were originally published as well as in chronological order. Dive into these stories and experience the rich, vivid tapestry of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s pioneer life on each page:
Publication Order of Little House On The Prairie Books
(with Roger Lea MacBride)
| Little House in the Big Woods | (1932) |    |
| Farmer Boy | (1933) | |
| Little House on the Prairie | (1935) | |
| On the Banks of Plum Creek | (1937) | |
| By the Shores of Silver Lake | (1939) | |
| The Long Winter | (1940) | |
| Little Town on the Prairie | (1941) | |
| These Happy Golden Years | (1943) | |
| The First Four Years | (1953) | |