Hello, my name is Amanda S. On December 15, the Wilder students had the honor to see
Ms. Melissa Gilbert at our school. When she was a child, she had the part of Laura in the TV
show Little House on the Prairie. Cole H. and Evin G. happily introduced the star. They
recognized that she was the youngest actress in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Wildcats are
truly honored that we had the chance to see her. After she had been introduced to our unfamiliar
Wildcats, kids were chosen to ask Ms. Gilbert a question.
Ellie M. -My name is Ellie and I am in 1st grade. I was wondering if you were scared the first
time you were on camera when you were a child?
Melissa Gilbert -The first time I was ever on camera was a commercial for Carter’s Baby Clothes
so I don’t really remember.
Scott S. -My name is Scott and I am in 2nd grade. I was wondering what the funniest thing that
happened when you were on the show?
Melissa Gilbert- When we were shooting the 1st episode of the show; I didn’t hear that there
were going to be dead rabbits until Pa had to walk in with two dead rabbits. I wasn’t really
paying much attention to what was happening. Pa told me I had to be quiet because they were
hypnotized. Once, they fell off the table and I said “Boy they sure do sleep tight, don’t they?”
Ellie F. -My name is Ellie and I am in 2nd grade. I wonder what your best childhood memory
from the Little House on the Prairie TV show was?
Melissa Gilbert- I have so many favorite memories. One of them was my horse named Peanut
although he was named Bunny in the show. Every day I begged, asking if I could ride. I spent
lots of days on my horse. Also, one time one of the show’s cows was pregnant so we got to see
the new baby and that was pretty cool.
Christopher F. -My name is Christopher and I am in 3rd grade. What was it like being a famous
TV star as a child and how did you go to school at the same time?
Melissa Gilbert –Good question. It was weird to be famous but also exciting. Although, it was
different and there was a lot of responsibility. I could never be grumpy or moody. School had to
be private. Her teacher made a packet of schoolwork. My work day was eight hours all
together. I was doing schoolwork for three hours, I was on camera for four hours, and I had one
hour for lunch. Because it was just me and my teacher, it was pretty intense.
Walter S. -My name is Walter and I am in 4th grade. I was wondering how it feels now to watch
someone else play Laura while you play Ma in the musical.
Melissa Gilbert- That is a very good question. Well, I was focused on my roll so didn’t pay that
much attention to the girl playing Laura. The only thing is that my nickname on and off set is
Half-pint so I had to get used to not responding when somebody said that. The actress who now
plays Laura is exceptional. She is so talented.
Grace B. -My name is Grace and I am in 5th grade. I was wondering if while you were playing
Laura Ingalls Wilder on the TV show, if you read the books the series was based on.
Melissa Gilbert- Well, I started reading the books a little before I played Laura but when I got
the part, I read and read.
Magi S. –My name is Magi and I am in 5th grade. I heard you beat out over 500 child actresses
for the part of Laura. I was wondering what you think you did that made you get the part.
Melissa Gilbert- That is a really good question. When I was younger, I wasn’t quite sure, but I
later found out that I was very natural. Some girls trying on for the part had a little bit of makeup
on. At the first meeting when I was called back I was asked how tall I was. I put my hand up to
the top of my head and said “This tall?” They thought that was a lot like Laura.
Melissa Gilbert pointed out that we sometimes get too caught up in our world after
reading a section in a Laura Ingalls Wilder book where they got some small gifts for Christmas.
She reminded us that if somebody gives you a small gift with love, be grateful.
After the all-school assembly, Ms. Gilbert, Kirk Montgomery from Channel 9, and
Student Council’s Ambassadors and Cabinet members met in the library. Kirk Montgomery
interviewed Ms. Gilbert. We then took a picture with her and were sent back to our classes.