Q 1. What inspired the idea in your mind to write a book about the
"Little House TV Series"?

Well, I grew up with "Little House" since the age of 5, and I always
thought that someone should write a book on this TV series. There are dozens
of books about other TV Shows and none about "Little House". Isn't it unfair ?
So, one day, I thought... why not writing it myself ?! I got in touch with a
publisher, and, after many nights of work, here is the book !

Q 2. What can "Little House Fans" find in your book?

There are 224 pages and more than 100 pics. It isn't a book that you
read from the beginning to the end. There are numerous little chapters with
anecdotes, biographies, etc. Some examples : Casting of the actors ? Page
10. Map of Walnut Grove ? Page 36. Atmosphere on the set (great) ? Page 43.
Wifes of actors guest stars on the series ? Pages 60, 110 & 135. Wonderful
and full-page photos of Laura and Mary ? Pages 76 & 83. Biography of David
Rose, the man who made the music for "Bonanza", "Little House" and "Highway
to Heaven" ? Page 96. Pictures of the twins who played the parts of Carrie
and Grace ? Pages 118 & 183. Birthday dates of more than thirty actors ?
Page 122. A chapter on "Father Murphy", other great Landon series ? Page
138. Wonderful photo of bearded Charles in episode He was only twelve ?
Page 148. A three pages biography for Matthew Laborteaux ? Page 184. The sad
and moving story of Victor French's last days ? Page 217. Well, these are
just examples, but, to be short, there is an analysis of the series, a
complete episode guide, and biographies for ALL the actors.

Q 3. What about the episode guide?

For each episode, there is a brief summary (3 lines - I don't want to
relate the whole story, just remind people of the theme), the complete cast
(included some bit parts - for instance, you can find all the appearances of
Ruth Foster, even if she is sometimes uncredited), date of first release on
NBC, and of course anecdotes. Sometimes, there is a small photo and
biography of a guest star - not only the most famous, but also the ones
whose faces are familiar to "Little House" fans, for instance the lates Dub
Taylor, Eddie Quillan, E.J. André or Lew Ayres.

Q 4. What date was the book published?

January 1999.

Q 5. What's your favorite "Little House" Episode and 2 Hour Special?

Difficult to say... Impossible, I should say ! When I was younger, my
favorite was "The Odyssey" - you know, this wonderful episode of a condemned
boy who wanted to see the ocean before dying. Unforgettable !!! And, as I
said in my book, the actor who played the part also died very young (26
years old). Sad, don't you think ?...

Q 6. You once told me you were going to send copies of your book to some of
the cast members of Little House. Were you able to do that? If so, how did
each cast member like the book ?

Well, in alphabetical order, by first names (no favouritism !) : Charlotte Stewart
(schoolteacher Miss Beadle), Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden), Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls),
Kevin Hagen (Doc Baker), Linwood Boomer (Adam Kendall), Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter),
Radames Pera (John Jr Edwards, Mary's first love and Mr Edwards' adoptive
son), Wendi & Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls). All of them are in touch
with me and I can assure Little House fans that they are wonderful persons.
I was a little afraid to be disappointed by some of them, but it's not the
case : they are even nicer than I hoped !!! Other actors have probably got
my book through another way - I know that Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) and
Katherine MacGregor (Harriet Oleson) received it thanks to a French TV show.
Personnally, I'll go on contacting actors, it's really wonderful to hear
that many of my childhood heroes love my book !!!

Q 7. Do you plan to publish your book in English in the near future, or in the coming months?

Well, currently, there is no talk about it. Of course, thousands of
people would be happy of that, as it would be the first one ever. Most of
the actors encourage me for that too. The book would be a great success,
that's obvious. However, that's not so simple. I need a publisher in the
USA, who'd agree to take charge of the translation, etc. But if someone is
interested, he can e-mail me ! :o)

Q 8. How many magazines and TV Guides in France completed on your book?

About 20 magazines, and a few radio and TV shows too. I had at five
occasions the review "The bible of Little House" ! ;o) They often commented
the photos too, and the fact that it's the first book ever written on the
series. The most memorable is probably the article on "Télé 7 Jours" (on
pages 8, 9 and 10 !), the most important magazine in the whole country !
Great memories too with the magazine "Télé Star" : very nice people - I'm very grateful to them.

Q 9. How many books have you sold, since the book was published first?

I can't answer precisely to this question. What I can tell you is that
the book is a great success - no doubt about it. But the most important is
that it brought me many delights ! Isn't it wonderful to see that people who
don't understand French language order my book from USA, Sweden, Hungary,
Argentina, etc... and love it !!! You know, money disappears some day, but
all the memories and numerous letters and thanks I received will stay in my life forever !!!

Q 10. Do you plan to write any more books about "Little House" or another

"Family Television Series" in the future.. like "The Waltons"?

First, I'm not a full-time writer. I work as a French teacher too, and
I also coach Chess players who won the Scholastic French Championship last
year. So, as you can guess it, I'm very busy and don't have time to write
many books. As for "The Waltons", we hardly know this series in France.
"Little House" is nearly an institution here (permanent reruns... and on a
national channel !!), but we just had a few episodes of "The Waltons", and
people didn't really like it. But, to answer your question, no, I don't have
any plans in the future for another book. I just take fun with "Little
House" and I make interviews of the actors I'm in touch with. "Little House"
is THE series I grew up with - I wouldn't be credible if I  wrote a book on another show ! :o)

"Thanks, and sorry for my English.
Congratulations for your website !
Patrick LOUBATIERE
 

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