Five Little Peppers Series

By Margaret Sidney

The Five Little Peppers series by Margaret Sidney is a collection of children's books that follow the adventures and struggles of the Pepper family—widowed Mrs. Pepper and her five children: Ben, Polly, Joel, Davie, and Phronsie. The first book, Five Little Peppers and How They Grew (1881), introduces the family living in poverty in a little brown house, where they face hardships with resilience, love, and optimism. Over the series, their fortunes change as they form a connection with the wealthy Whitney family, leading to new opportunities and challenges. The books highlight themes of family bonds, perseverance, kindness, and personal growth.