The American television drama Little House on the Prairie (1974–83), based on the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, centers on the Ingalls family. Charles, the family patriarch, and Caroline, the quintessential pioneer wife, also known as Pa and Ma, have four daughters. Studious and responsible Mary is the eldest and the most reserved. She regularly helps her mother with household duties and often admonishes her siblings when they get into mischief. Laura, the tomboy of the family, is more interested in fishing and playing baseball than in partaking in stereotypical feminine activities. Lovingly called “Half-Pint” by Pa, she is his favorite child. The youngest sisters are Carrie and Grace.
Other characters include the wealthy Oleson family. Nels is the kind and reasonable counterpart to his wife, Harriet, the town gossip. Their spoiled children are Nellie and Willie. Isaiah Edwards, a mountain man and friend of Charles, provides comic relief.