Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography

This straightforward chronology of Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) details her heritage and birth, her family's pioneering and her travels with her husband Almanzo and daughter Rose. Though he makes use of the author's private journals, Anderson provides little information on his subject's life and times that the reader wouldn't glean from the eloquent descriptions in the Little House series. Because it fleshes out some of the gaps in that series, this biography might interest history buffs, and Wilder devotees may snap this up. But by simply shadowing and underscoring her universally acclaimed writings, the book pales in comparison with Wilder's own versions of her adventures. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)