As noted by biographer Donald P. Zochert, Wilder’s Little House books achieve “a coherent vision not merely of pioneer life but of life itself.” Little House on the Prairie and its companion books offer an important contribution to the genre in children’s literature referred to as historical realism. Wilder’s spare prose renders the pioneer experience in detail while expressing themes that are easily accessible to the reader: the necessity of and satisfaction derived from hard work, the importance and benefits of a loving family, and the nature of pioneer life itself. Wilder’s approach in fictionalizing her memoirs and the stylistic devices that she employs in Laura’s storytelling are consistent throughout the series. That the readers’ expectations are regularly met is an important element in the enduring popularity of these books.

Little House on the Prairie, in particular, is often praised for its honest portrayal of the American pioneer experience. The harsh beauty of the environment, the challenge to survive, the joys and sorrows, and the triumphs over isolation and adversity are all revealed from the perspective of a single character—five-year-old Laura Ingalls. Her point of view is exclusive. In fact, scholarly studies of Wilder’s handwritten manuscripts and revisions indicate that the author went to great effort to ensure that an age-appropriate point of view remained consistent throughout each of the Little House books. As Laura matures, so does her perspective and the sophistication of her words. Wilder’s use of the third-person narrative adds to the storytelling effect; Laura is a “real” girl who expresses experiences and emotions to the reader with a directness and feeling of immediacy.

Critics acknowledge that the continued popularity of Little House on the Prairie (and the series as a whole), is attributable in large part to the author’s expression of strong family values and ties. Laura and her sisters trust and rely on their parents to create a loving and safe home wherever they go. Young readers respond to this sense of security and to the warmhearted sentiments that are key to the Little House books. They also respond to the basic values expressed in the behavior and words of Ma, Pa, and the girls, as well as to the myriad moral lessons that are revealed subtly and not so subtly: “Laura . . . sat up straight on the round end of the log and used her knife and fork nicely, as Ma had taught her. She did not say anything, because children must not speak at table until they are spoken to . . .” The morality expressed throughout all the Little House books, while decidedly old-fashioned in many instances, is still an important component in the staying power of Wilder’s works. Many librarians, instructors, and parents still believe that Wilder’s lessons have value in a fast-paced and materialistic world.

From a storytelling perspective, Little House on the Prairie excels in its use of descriptive detail. Through Laura’s eyes, the reader learns about the realities of pioneering—hauling and sawing logs to build a house, digging a well for water, designing a special latch to secure the front door against unknown dangers. Most compelling is Laura’s ability to create “pictures” of the natural beauty she sees. The power of Wilder’s restrained words, combined with her ability to create and dissipate tension, makes storytelling magic.