Prairie Tale

I am so glad that Melissa has put her story down for all of us to read. I was a "Little House" fan when it first came out, and am now enjoying all of the series, and the books, as well. It is great that Melissa has not only shared her story of "Little House", but getting to know lots of little details of her life at home is enjoyable. I am sure that it was hard to decide how much to write and what not to share. I am just thankful for her honesty, her humor, and her love of life, as well. I am only half-way through the book, but I know I won't want it to end. I continue to watch every Hallmark movie I can, over and over, as long as Melissa is in it. She is just such a warm, lovable person who I would be proud to have for a friend. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us who love you!!!! Jane Goodrich

Like many people, I grew up watching Melissa Gilbert in Little House on the Prairie, and in some ways I felt a kinship with her. There are decent child actors, but Gilbert was one of the best, and it showed. I always wondered what she was like in real life and it wasn't until long after Little House was off the tube that I learned more about Gilbert. This book is an outstanding memoir, one that shines with its honesty. I like that Gilbert is not ashamed of where she's been and who she is, but can still look back with self-deprecating humor and tell it like it is. She's just like any of us, except she lived some of her ups and downs in the public eye. I especially liked how she explained the complex relationship she shares with her mother and the never ending desire to learn more about her birth (and her birth mother). I also enjoyed learning about Gilbert's father-daughter relationship with the late Michael Landon and how his death truly left a void in her life. She and husband Bruce Boxleitner seem like a great couple, and it seems that she's found the true joy in her life with him and her children. I read this book cover to cover and it did not disappoint. Now this "triple threat" can add author to her list, making her a quadruple threat. Great book!

What an amazing story! When I found out Melissa had written a book, I knew one thing--I had to read that book! Whatever you think you know about Melissa, trust me, you don't. But the good news is you will after you read this book. What a story Melissa has to tell! To say I was surprised would be an understatement. You will laugh and cry; all emotions are in play in PRAIRIE TALE. One thing you won't be is bored! My two favorite parts of the book are her Little House years and her relationship with Rob Lowe. The ending is just outstanding too. Super job, Melissa! My expectations were met and then some!

What can I say? I'm a SUCKER for dishy bios on the stars I grew up admiring and wanting to be. My boyfriend saw nothing but my face buried in this great book over one solid weekend. Melissa Gilbert was one of the truly admirable teen idols back in the '70s and an extraordinarily talented actor to boot. Her story, much of what I already knew from keeping up with her Tiger Beat and People magazine interviews through the years, is incredible and this book just reminds us that what we may perceive as the audience members of someone else's supposed "perfect" life, may very well be quite the opposite. Gilbert is honest, irreverent, hilariously funny, and even when she's "dropping names" it doesn't feel like anything except that she is grateful for knowing and working with the legends she refers to. Michael Landon, Rob Lowe, Patty Duke.....all very important people to Melissa - the people who truly shaped her life respectively. And so many more......but it never feels pretentious or "I bet you wish you were me".....she is just 10000% REAL when revealing the ups and downs of her colorful life. And what a life. I am so glad she had the courage and moxy to put pen to paper and share it with the people who've followed her since she was the adorable little girl on "Little House." I also hope that young, ambitious and up and coming actors read this book because Gilbert is also the picture of dedication and professionalism sans the ego that seems to follow this generation of performers. Melissa Gilbert is an inspiration. Her life is a wonderful lesson in perseverance, loyalty, and not taking "no" for an answer when you know deep in your heart that there's a better one. A must read!!!