The Littles Series in Order

About The Littles series

Series Premise

At its core, the premise introduces a family of tiny, mouse-like humanoids—roughly six inches tall, complete with long, soft tails—who secretly inhabit the walls and hidden spaces of a normal human home owned by the Bigg family. The Littles sustain themselves by “borrowing” small scraps of food, thread, and discarded items from their unwitting hosts, while quietly repaying the favor by performing essential repairs to the house’s plumbing, electrical wiring, and other systems. This symbiotic yet hidden relationship keeps the Biggs’ older home in unusually good condition. Trouble arises whenever disruptions threaten their peaceful existence—messy house-sitters attracting real mice, family vacations leaving the home vulnerable, adventurous outings into the wider world, weddings, parties, storms, or encounters with other tiny communities. The stories revolve around the Littles’ resourceful efforts to maintain secrecy, solve crises, protect their home, and occasionally venture beyond its walls, turning ordinary household events into epic quests on a miniature scale.

Main Characters

The central protagonists are the warm and resourceful Little family. William T. Little (often called Mr. Little) serves as the optimistic, level-headed patriarch who makes most decisions with steady wisdom and calm reassurance. His wife, Wilma (or Mrs. Little), provides nurturing support and practical sense. Their children—Tom, the adventurous and somewhat mischievous older boy around ten, and Lucy, the younger, kind-hearted eight-year-old—drive much of the action with their curiosity, bravery, and good deeds, often venturing into risky situations to help others. Granny Little contributes wisdom, knitting skills, and a touch of gentle humor, while Uncle Pete (sometimes portrayed with grandfatherly traits) adds experience and a steady hand in repairs or rescues. Cousin Dinky Little stands out as a bold, adventurous pilot figure who brings excitement through his glider or plane exploits and occasional recklessness. Supporting and recurring characters include the oblivious Bigg family—particularly young Henry Bigg, whose presence sometimes intersects indirectly with the Littles’ world—and various tiny folk from other communities who appear in expanded adventures, such as the Small-Fry family or rival groups. Mice frequently serve as antagonists, representing chaos and uncleanliness that the tidy Littles must combat, while occasional human elements (like visiting relatives or pets) heighten the stakes without ever discovering the secret inhabitants.

Setting

The primary setting is the Bigg family’s comfortable, somewhat old-fashioned house, rendered in delightful detail from a Lilliputian perspective. To the Littles, ordinary rooms become vast landscapes: table legs turn into towering pillars, countertops into perilous plateaus, and electrical outlets into mysterious caverns. They navigate behind walls through cleverly constructed passages, use thread for ropes or clothing, craft tools from pins and buttons, and “borrow” from kitchen crumbs or laundry scraps. The house feels both safe haven and fragile ecosystem, vulnerable to human actions like vacuuming, renovations, or sloppy housekeeping that can flood their spaces or invite real mice. Occasional stories expand the horizon to the wider neighborhood, forests, or distant tiny settlements—such as communities living near a garbage dump or atop a mountain—introducing new environments while keeping the Bigg home as the emotional anchor. Everyday objects gain magical proportions: a sock becomes a knitting project spanning years, a glider or tiny plane enables daring flights, and household hazards transform into life-or-death obstacles.

Tone & Themes

The tone is light, optimistic, and gently adventurous, perfectly pitched for middle-grade readers with short chapters, vivid descriptions, and a sense of cozy wonder. Peterson’s prose is straightforward and engaging, mixing mild peril with humor, family warmth, and inventive problem-solving that makes the tiny scale feel expansive and exciting. Themes emphasize resourcefulness and ingenuity in the face of challenges; the importance of family cooperation and mutual support; cleanliness, order, and environmental stewardship within their miniature world; courage when confronting dangers far larger than themselves (cats, mice, or human-sized obstacles); and the value of secrecy balanced with quiet helpfulness. Subtle lessons about dealing with change, personal growth, and community harmony emerge naturally, without heavy moralizing, while cross-species (or cross-scale) understanding underscores tolerance and hidden kindness.

In the end, the Littles series endures as a timeless celebration of small wonders in a big world, where tiny heroes prove that courage, cleverness, and family bonds can overcome any obstacle—no matter how towering. John Peterson crafts an inviting miniature universe that sparks imagination in young readers, encouraging them to look closer at the hidden spaces around them and appreciate the quiet helpers who keep life running smoothly. With its blend of cozy domesticity and miniature thrills, the saga reminds us that true heroism often hides in plain sight, mending what is broken and lending a hand (or tail) when it matters most. For children who dream of secret worlds behind the walls, these stories offer pure delight and the comforting assurance that even the smallest among us can make a very big difference.