The Littles Go Exploring (Littles

The Littles #10

by John Lawrence Peterson

The tenth book from this classic series is ready to grab the attention of a new generation! Fresh cover art brings an updated look to this timeless favorite.

Years ago, Grandpa Little set off to explore and was never seen again and the mystery of his disappearance was never solved. But now, Lucy and Tom have stumbled across a secret room where Grandpa kept many papers and maps. And they think they can figure out the path he took into the wilderness the last time he set out on an expedition! The family packs up and heads upstream. Surprises await them around every bend -- huge turtles, river rapids, and a new family of tiny people! But when their odyssey is over, will the Littles know any more about what happened to Grandpa Little?

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Picture Books

94 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

John Lawrence Peterson was an American author of children's books best known as the creator of The Littles.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for something to hand off to your young reader, give this series a try!

The Littles are "humans" ... they just have a tail and are six inches tall. That's all. Oh, and they live in the Biggs house; not that the Biggs know it, because the Littles reside in the tiny spaces and nooks of the home. The Littles take food scraps and things they find in the garbage and in return for "mooching" off of the Biggs, they repair the leaks in the pipes and the electrical issues in the house. And when they're not doing that, they have all kinds of wonderful adventures; which is actually incredibly often.

A fun series, with lots happening, a silly uncle, and a family that love each other!

Reading Level: 2nd - 4th grades

Cleanliness: You will see gee, golly, gosh, goodness sake, heavens, doggone, holy cow, stupid, darn it, oh heck, and the like lightly sprinkled throughout The Littles series. Mentions millions of years ago in this title.

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[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

High risk tolerance.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tom and Lucy Little are waiting for the mail when a letter falls through the net in the chimney. When they climb down to get it, they discover a secret room in the attic where Grandpa Little planned for his explorations. Grandpa disappeared on one of his expeditions two years ago. Granny is sure he is still alive.

The Littles decide to set out on an exploration of their own to find Grandpa. Not as magical as some in the series. I found the end a bit disappointing.

Readalikes:
James Patterson – Treasure Hunters; Adriene Kress – The Door in the Alley (The Explorers); James Riley – Story Thieves; Jason Lethcoe – The Keymaster’s Quest (AdventureLand); Nicholas Gannon – The Doldrums; Enid Blyton – The Island of Adventure; Angelica Banks – Finding Serendipity.

Pace: Moderately paced
Characters: Tiny people; stereotypes
Storyline: Plot-driven
Writing style:
Tone: Some suspense
Frame: The house, the brook, the dark woods

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Littles decide to make a trip down the brook to try to find missing Grandpa Little.

These books always make me smile. The Littles pack away corn flakes in a film container - instant waterproof meals! The ending of this was pretty silly but hey - it's a book about tiny people with tails who live in the walls of a house. I've read the nine books in this series that I had as a kid. I enjoyed them all, but I won't be seeking out more. Goodbye to the Littles!

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good because they found Grandpa. It was very cool to hear that they put a fire in the stump in the winter and that it didn't burn the house on the stump.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

We had put all our The Littles chapter books in a box to sell at our garage sale. They didn't sale so when we took them to Goodwill Jacob pulled them out to read again before passing them on. He really enjoyed reading this book. It is the perfect reading level for him right now and he only needed help with two words that when he asked about them he actually was saying them correctly..krb 11/14/16

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it just me or do all of these books end kind of abruptly?

This time the Littles are heading off on watery adventure, looking for the missing Grandpa Little. I find myself wanting to read more about the Brook Tinies. And the Tree Tinies. And the Ground Tinies. Does anyone else feel this way?

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best in the series. I love when they get out in the world exploring.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

The Litttles Go Exploring is about a family of mini humans with tails who go on an adventure searching for their long lost Grandpa Little. They embark on this adventure on a sailboat, with the help of Cousin Dinky and his wife Della.

This book was very short and cute, and I love how the importance of family shines through. It only took me about two hours to read. I adore the idea of little people living inside a regular house's walls, and all of the character were developed pretty well.

The only thing about this story that bothered me was that the ending was too rushed, and it could've been more thought out in my opinion. It all happened too fast and there could of been better expressions and feelings made by the characters.

All in all, I would recommend this book to 8-11 year olds who want a very short book to read that they will enjoy.

Megan:)

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Littles Go Exploring is a cute addition to the series of these tiny people living in a world of Biggs. The Littles enjoyed nice accommodations in the walls of a human family's house. Their host family, the Biggs, were blissfully unaware that they had companions in their home. The only source of sadness for the Littles was the disappearance of the family's patriarch, Grandpa Little. When they find evidence that he may have survived, the entire family sets off on an adventure in the big wide world. Commandeering a toy boat they head off down the brook in search of their missing loved one, and in anticipation of exciting discoveries.

I loved the Littles as a child, and I think this series is one that can easily be handed down through the generations. It was fun to revisit the tiny world of the Littles, and imagine how the world would look through their eyes.

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, this was a series that I had never heard of until I was in my 20’s, when my 8-year-old sister handed it to me and said, “You’ve got to read this!” Well, I still didn’t sit down to read it until my 5-year-old sister begged me to read it to her, and we got to enjoy it together.

This is a children’s book, no doubt about that. But, even as an adult, I can appreciate the amount of imagination and sheer delight in a crazy idea that went into the formation of these books. My sister was spellbound as I read it to her, and I admit, I was rooting for the Littles just as much as she was. The premise behind this series is way too much fun! We enjoyed sharing this story together. I’m sure this won’t be the last Littles book my sister and I read together.

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, we are starting explorers/colonial with third grade and I have literally not a single book at an appropriate lexile level for third grade. So I’m having to branch rather far out on this one. All the way to the Littles. What struck me most about this was how much higher the language was. I’m so used to modern lit explaining the words. Granny says she is happy she named the ship Discoverer, but doesn’t explain why that is a good name. There isn’t a chart or picture of cork wine glasses or matchbox baby beds. The expectations for visualization were much higher. I’m going to pair it with a “build something from the book” exercise. I’m curious to see how the kiddos respond.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another cute title in the series with an extra dose of suspense. I especially liked the discussion of losing someone and not knowing whether they were dead or alive and how that might feel to a person. This was done at what I feel was an appropriate level for the intended audience. I highly recommend this book and this series not only to its intended audience, but also to anyone looking for a cute, quick, exciting read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this as a family, and my kids LOVED IT! The adventure, the suspense, the humor. There are times when it felt like the book skipped minor details. For example “Since when did they get there when in the last chapter they were here.” Or “I don’t remember them telling so-n-so about this, but so-n-so seems to know already.”

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Littles are a childhood favorite of mine. This was a read aloud with my girls. They love the Littles family. They are innovative and kind. My girls love to pretend we have our own Littles family in our walls, helping to keep our house running and safe. Such a fun classic series. Highly recommend.

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of Little communities living in the woods, meadows, and forests is very intriguing. I can see why little kids would love to read about such communities and the trials and tribulations that they get into. The imagination possibilities are endless. It is like how I felt when playing Barbies as a kid. The possibilities were endless and so many lives could be imagined for my Barbie Dolls.

[Cheri Luyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were so cute and I loved the story. The Tiny way of life was so well thought out and the action was actually cool. I wish this was a graphic novel inside though because I wanted more illustrations

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This is a children’s book, but it’s well done. Uncle Nick is a great addition, and so are Della & her husband. And Uncle Pete is as amusing as ever. ;) The voyage continually seemed to totter in the brink of disaster, and kept my interest.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

S1V1L2

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a miniature family who goes on an adventure to find their long lost Grandfather.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was really really good

[Michelle Damour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good choice. The Littles are wholesome adventures. A lot of fun for my boys.

[Kiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too slow-paced to keep a child's full attention.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Littles go in search for Grandpa Little. They meet other tiny people through there journey.

[Michelle Smart · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok young chapter book. My boys loved it. The pacing matches other books for that age group.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a much better episode and had more detail that added to the read!

[Nicolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughters love reading about the little people and their expedition down the brook to find grandpa.

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute, probably not my favorite, but the kids think it's interesting anyway.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first grader read this to me as part of her AR homework. I was struck by the specific use of "beer" cans. She enjoyed the book. I thought it was dated.

[Ericka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved both the Littles and the Borrowers. I have a harder time with the Littles due to their tails, but this is a fun adventure. Just don't ask how they got home.