Friday, April 22, 2011

Half Pint Ingalls

Wendy McClure read from her new book, The Wilder Life, at the Book Cellar last night. This reading was different from other book readings I've been to because we churned butter and had a bonnet contest. People love their Little House! I was enamored with Anne of Green Gables when I was a girl, but hearing Ms. McClure's stories about her experiences trying to relive some of the Ingalls family's adventures made we want to read the entire series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In addition to being an author, Ms. McClure is also a children's book editor. She spoke about the voice used in Ms. Wilder's books and how it is just right for children. Rose Wilder Lane, Ms. Wilder's daughter, also wrote some stories for the series (much later) but did not capture that same special voice found in her mother's writing. It's a tricky thing, and so important to the overall tone of a book. Ms. McClure's voice is engaging and humorous, and I'm looking forward to diving into her book next.

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