Who Really Saved Laura Ingalls: Soldat du Chene or a Soldat du Chien? [Paperback]

Stephanie A. Vavra (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2001

Was the frontier family of Charles Ingalls saved by a "tree" or a "dog?" Is it possible that children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder misnamed one of her most memorable Little House on the Prairie characters? She described the noble, Osage Indian chief who persuaded his people to avoid a confrontation with settlers on Indian land in 1871. The early, imprecise blending of cultures and languages on the Kansas prairie combined to create a linguistic misnomer.

This book offers dramatic supporting material about the role and significance of protective "dog soldiers" to the Plains Indian warrior society. It includes two quotations from a speech Mrs. Wilder gave in 1937 pertaining to the writing of Little House on the Prairie. The book should appeal to older students, adult fans of the series, and those interested in historical information about Plains Indians.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This "interesting and controversial" booklet was well-researched. It has been described as "a good read and a wonderful addition to the library of any true Laura Ingalls Wilder fan."

About the Author

Stephanie A. Vavra taught elementary social studies, reading, and language arts for over 30 years. She has been an admirer of the "Little House" series since 1977. This enthusiasm for the Ingalls and Wilder families led her to obtain State of Illinois grants to teach hands-on, year-long, pioneer units to grades three through six. Students read the nine novels in the series. A Girl Scout Wider Opportunity, "Fur Trader Rendezvous," led her to the conclusion this book describes.

Vavra and her husband conduct lively presentations based upon the Wilder series, the fur-trade era, Lewis and Clark, and pioneer toys. She teaches 1860's lessons in a one-room schoolhouse. The Vavras conduct pioneer day camps in June beside the Mississippi River, using the "Little House" series as a guide. Girl Scout campers work toward earning the Laura Ingalls Wilder patch.

The Vavras and their two grown children have visited the Ingalls and Wilder sites several times.

Product Details

• Paperback: 9 pages
• Publisher: Quill Works; 1st edition (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971278504
• ISBN-13: 978-0971278509
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,959,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Literature Guides

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who is the Indian in the "Little House"?, February 2, 2002

By 

Lynn Urban (Racine, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Really Saved Laura Ingalls: Soldat du Chene or a Soldat du Chien? (Paperback)

As a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan and researcher, I found this book fascinating. Whether you agree or not with the author's findings, the book is definitely food for thought. The "Little House" books are wonderful reading but, do pose some discrepancies and Ms. Vavra does an excellent job of attempting to clear up one of them. This is a good read and a worthwhile additon to the library of any true Laura Ingalls Wilder fan.