In this episode, we welcome writer, editor, and host of Modern Prairies’s Prairie Pages Book Club Laura Bray. Together, we reflect on the books that shaped our childhoods, the changing perspectives that come with age, and why readers often find themselves sympathizing with Caroline Ingalls as much as Laura. We also discuss what it means to create your own prairie wherever you are, cultivating beauty, simplicity, and a sense of home in everyday life.
From favorite books and flowers to treasured literary memories, our conversation wanders through libraries, gardens, and the comforting places where stories take root. Laura shares memories of finding refuge in books during life’s storms, the joys of slowing down, and the simple pleasures that bring meaning to ordinary days. Along the way, we explore beloved classics, the books that have changed us, and the ways stories continue to speak to us differently as we grow older.
About the Guest
Modern Prairie was co-founded by Melissa Gilbert, beloved actress, storyteller, and advocate for women, alongside Nicole Haase, a seasoned business leader and visionary community builder. Learn more about Modern Prairie at modernprairie.com, follow on Instagram @officialmodernprairie, join Prairie Pages Book Club, and visit Laura’s Cozy Library Substack.
About the Series
Welcome to Whispers at the Garden Gate, a literary journey into the whispered stories left behind in the pages, places, and legacies of classic authors and their beloved works.
In Season Three, we journey into the landscapes of American children’s literature, where prairie horizons, enchanted realms, and humble farmyards become the settings for stories that have shaped generations. Celebrating the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, L. Frank Baum, and E. B. White, this season marks the beginning of our tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.
From Little House on the Prairie to The Wizard of Oz and Charlotte’s Web, our conversations explore how stories of courage, friendship, and imagination help us make sense of the world and our place within it. Join us as we cross these literary frontiers, where hope, wonder, and dreams take flight.
Resources & Links
• Prairie Pages Book Club
• Modern Prairie Official
• Whispers at the Garden Gate Experience - Watch Video
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