The Littles

The Littles is a children's book series that introduced readers to a miniature family living secretly within the walls of a human household. The titular family has mouse-like features including tails, and they coexist with the full-sized Bigg family who own the house. The main characters are Tom and Lucy Little, along with their parents William T. and Wilma Little, plus several extended family members including Uncle Pete. The Littles survive by borrowing small items from their human hosts and creating clever solutions to navigate their oversized environment. The tiny family undertakes various missions and tasks, often helping the Bigg family while maintaining their secrecy. They use homemade tools and ingenious methods to move throughout the house, from climbing strings to riding in toy airplanes. This series explores themes of resourcefulness, family bonds, and the hidden worlds that might exist within everyday spaces. The stories present a unique perspective on human life through the eyes of these miniature inhabitants.

Readers remember The Littles fondly from their childhood, with many noting it sparked their early interest in chapter books. Parents report it works well as a read-aloud book for ages 5-8. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced adventures that hold children's attention - Detailed illustrations showing the Littles' home innovations - Messages about resourcefulness and problem-solving - Short chapters good for new readers Common criticisms: - Simple writing style may bore advanced readers - Some found the plot repetitive - A few parents disliked the mild mischief/disobedience Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (800+ ratings) Sample review: "My 6-year-old loves seeing how the Littles create tiny tools and furniture from human items. The illustrations really bring their world to life." - Amazon reviewer "Perfect bridge between picture books and longer chapter books. My daughter asked for the whole series." - Goodreads reviewer

The Borrowers by Mary Norton A family of tiny people who live beneath the floorboards of an English country house survive by borrowing small items from the humans who live above them.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien A mouse widow seeks help from superintelligent rats who live in secret beneath a farm and use stolen electricity and machinery.

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks A boy discovers that his cupboard can bring small plastic toys to life, leading to adventures with a miniature Indian figure who becomes real.

Stuart Little by E. B. White A mouse born into a human family in New York City navigates life at a different scale while searching for his bird friend Margalo.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop A boy shrinks to the size of a toy knight and enters a miniature castle where he must face medieval challenges and a wizard.

🏠 The series began in 1967 and grew to include more than 14 books, inspiring children's imaginations for over five decades. 📺 The Littles was adapted into a popular animated TV series that ran from 1983 to 1985, introducing these tiny characters to an even wider audience. ✏️ Author John Peterson worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a children's book writer, which helped him understand what kinds of stories would captivate young readers. 🌍 Stories about tiny people living in human homes appear in folklore worldwide, from the Borrowers of English literature to the Brownies of Scottish mythology. 🔍 The Littles are distinguished from other miniature people in literature by their unique physical features: they have tails and pointed ears, making them more mouse-like than other similar characters.