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Louise A. Jackson receives Ingalls Wilder Award

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Author Louise A. Jackson was the recipient of this year’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and was honored during the annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival Awards Ceremony held at the museum in Mansfield on Nov. 3.

“That’s beautiful, just gorgeous. Wait til’ I tell them back home,” said Jackson after receiving the award from Laura Ingalls Wilder and Museum Executive Director, the Rev. Nicholas Inman. “...I am absolutely thrilled to death to have all of you here and to receive this wonderful award. It will stay with me all the rest of my life and I haven’t finished writing yet. I have another one coming out soon.”

Jackson, who currently resides in Texas, opened her remarks by recognizing the many in attendance who traveled from afar and friends from the area she knew when previously residing for seven years just seven miles from the Laura Ingalls Wilder home.

Jackson talked about being a kid and reading all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books when a traveling library came through her school.

“And she was a girl after my own heart,” Jackson said.

Jackson went on to talk about how she visited the many places Laura Ingalls Wilder talked about in her books.

“I stood on the banks of Silver Lake,” she noted.

Jackson said that Wilder’s books always had hope and focused on the importance of family.

She also noted the strong influence of Laura Ingalls Wilder in her own writing.

Jackson was introduced by Cinita Brown, who replaced Leon Combs. Combs was unable to attend the event due an airport delay.

During the ceremony, Herbie Johnston played a selection of music on Pa’s fiddle.

Mansfield students were recognized for their work in the bookmark competition.

Serena Wilson was recognized for the winning bookmark. Honorable Mention honors went to Harrison Miller, Ellie Pierson, Sydney Dugger, Ayla Sullivan and Easton Rebura. Singer/songwriter/author Rory Feek also played two songs for those in attendance.