Bought in Walnut Grove. Yes, that Walnut Grove. . .

A wonderful look at the long range impact children's literature can have. At the museum, we've often talked about how Little House has become synomonous with pioneer history, and this book helps explain how that came to be.
Fellman has certainly done her homework--interviewing teachers, long-time readers, and visitors to the various LIW site. These were the stories I liked best--how people completely fell in love with the books and how it changed their lives. She also extensively explores both Wilder and Lane's political beliefs and how they were integrated into the narrative. Though I agree with the idea that politics (and reaction against the New Deal) helped form some key plot choices in the book, her arguement that Wilder and Lane helped shape the modern conservative movement seems a bit much.
Read this for the stories of how this book became so prominent. I did lots of nodding and lots of thinking about how other children's books have shaped my life.
Highly recommended, especially for those interested in the stories behind books--and the ripple effects of books we love.