Maria Wilkes is a celebrated American author, well-known for her contributions to young adult, historical fiction, and children's literature. She has gained significant recognition for her work on the Little House Books, originally penned by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wilkes has written a total of nine books in the Little House: Caroline Years series, meticulously describing the life of Caroline Ingalls, the mother of Laura Ingalls. The series chronicles Caroline's life from her childhood as Caroline Quiner, through her growth, marriage, professional life, and the ensuing years.
In her writing process, Wilkes collaborated with talented illustrators Dan Andreasen and Doris Ettlinger, who provided exceptional visuals for her novels. Wilkes' fascination with the Little House books began in her own childhood, and her interest in pioneer history was sparked by Wilder's work. This early exposure to pioneer history inspired Wilkes to delve deeper into the subject, eventually leading to her meticulous research and the creation of the Caroline Years series.
Maria D. Wilkes, in her quest to accurately portray the life and times of Caroline Ingalls, conducted extensive research on the Quiner, Ingalls, and Wilder families. She studied original sources, family letters, and diaries, ensuring the historical accuracy of her work. In addition, Wilkes maintained close contact with several historians and the Laura Ingalls Wilder estate while writing the series. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband, Peter, and her daughters, Grace and Natalie.