Custom Fonts & Icons

Little House Script – a Typeface for HarperCollins Publishers

page from the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book with the headline in Little house Script

Handwriting of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House Script is a typeface based on the handwriting of renowned American writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classics “Little House in the Woods” and “Little House in the Prairie”. The font was commissioned by HarperCollins Publishers (NY) for an elaborate hardcover edititon of the novels on the occasion of Laura’s 150th anniversary in February 2017. 

Name of Laura Ingalls Wilder on book cover written in Little House Script typeface

The “Little House” books recount Wilder’s life as a young girl on the American frontier in the 1800s. For the covers of the new series chief designer Jenna Stempel chose to make wood cuts depicting items typical for each of the novels. As a background the wood-texture of a tree specific for each setting was used: ash for Wisconsin, maple for New York, and red oak for Kansas. Finnaly – the Juliasys contribution – a typeface simulating Laura Ingalls Wilder’s handwriting was created. The font turned out to be a real revival of Laura’s personality.

We worked in this all-women design project with great pleasure. The photos show some of the lovely results. Read more about work-in-progress in Spine Magazine as told by Jenna Stempel.

covers of book series by Jenna Stempel, HarperCollins Publishers
Little House Script: Book of Wisdom
a spread from Laura Ingalls' Wilders book, using typeface Little House Script
A spread from Laura Ingalls' Wilders book, using typeface Little House Script.
the box for the book series, HarperCollins Publishers

OpenType Features

Little House Script is an almost fully connected script with glyph positioning determined by OpenType feature code. This makes the font look very similar to the authentic handwriting of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

sample of Little House Script: caps
Different versions of capital letters B and F.
sample of Little House Script: ligatures
Ligatures for creating a natural feel of the typeface.
sample of Little House Script: alternates of letter p
Alternate forms of the letter p, r, s. A variety of shapes helps to create a natural looking handwritiing font.
sample of Little House Script: alternates of letter r
sample of Little House Script: alternates of letter s
sample of Little House Script: sample words, lower case
sample words in Little House Script, capitalized
book spread, using Little House Script typeface as a headline
cover of the coloring book
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