The Littles to the Rescue

The Littles #3

by John Lawrence Peterson, Roberta Carter Clark (Illustrations)

The Littles is a timeless favorite that's been enjoyed for decades. Ready to grab the attention of a new generation, fresh cover art brings an updated look to this classic series.

Meet the Littles, a family like any other but with a few tiny differences! They live in the walls of the Bigg family house where they get everything they need. In return they make sure the Bigg house is always in good repair.

A baby is on the way! Despite an awful storm, Cousin Dinky and Aunt Lily set out in the glider in order to help Mrs. Little. But when the glider arrives, Dinky realizes that something is missing. Aunt Lily!

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Adventure, Novels

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

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. There is a girl that likes a boy in this title (one sentence).

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

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[Robin]

This is the second Littles book Clara and I are reading. So stinkin' fun! I highly recommend it as a first chapter book for 4/5 year olds since the chapters are short, the illustrations adorable, and the storyline adorable.

We finished this yesterday...Clara's favorite part was that a baby is born at the end. :)

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really cute. Each of the books feel a little "same-y" to me, but my kids (3, 5, and 7 year old girls) can't get enough.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it because they made new Tiny friends called the Ground Tinies.

[Justin Swanson]

🗣️The read-aloud for after the sleepy kids fall asleep

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mrs. Little is due to have her baby, brave Nurse Lily sets out in her son's glider to help, only to be dumped out in the woods (gasp!) and snow due to a storm.

The Littles' attempt to use the phone (it takes two of them, with a complicated dance of jumping from the receiver buttons to the dial) is hilarious.

The ground tinies that show up in this book are a bit hard to take with the whole 'ma, you're in charge of dinner, I'm in charge of decisions' piece.

The third book in the Littles series includes the Little family, the Tree Tinies from the last book, and introduces underground tinies. I'm looking forward to the fourth book.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the world and struggles of little people in a big world, but once again, I felt the story ended a bit abruptly. I think the story could use a bit more depth, time and development, especially seeing the Littles reactions and meeting with the wood Tinies for the first time. I also am not a fan of them using the cat/skunk to get around, as I'd rather see something more ingenious/clever.

[Melanie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I read every one of these books in the series I could get my hands on. They have inspired my imagination for decades. Because of them, I branched out to find any books on 'little people' I could find. This series is well-written, and engaging with amazing illustrations. I highly recommend any of The Littles series to children of all ages.

[Chelsea DeBarge · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my third grade reading groups just adores this series. I️ remember watching the show growing up. This book is a great one to read around the holidays. It really pulls in a sense of family importance.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these short “episodes” of “The Littles” but I would like some detailed story lines. I guess I shouldn’t compare it to “The Borrowers” because that is not fair to John Peterson but these stories are seriously close to Mary Norton’s characters.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to absolutely love these books as a child! I recently got my mom’s autographed collection and decided to reread and read some of the series for the first time! I was surprised by how well written they all are! Short, simple, and still a sweet enjoyable read!

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine, just like all the others. I read it to go with the Global Read Aloud A Boy Called Bat. I want to encourage my class next year to read books with a skunk.

[Erin]

B read with N. July 2019

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about misunderstandings.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The suspense in this book was especially engaging. I was disappointed it ended so soon (and abruptly), but I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I highly recommend this book and this series.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute children's' book about the "little people" that live among us. The Littles are "humans" ... they just have a tail and are six inches tall.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story of the Littles traveling through the snow to help Mama Little who is about to have a baby. Then Aunt Little falls out of the plane!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

the world of Tinies just keeps getting bigger!

[Ella Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're the Littles helping people that are there size. Good book.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun title. I had to write and tell you all that chapter 3 deals with the Littles making a telephone call. This is hilarious. Partly because of the setting of the story, but mostly because my little reader has no experience with a telephone or how it works. I had quite the time trying to explain it! Nonetheless, he did understand flying and the other accomplishments of the Littles in the book. The story features a snow storm and the birth of a baby, so it is interesting to both boys and girls.

But if you want to save yourself the hilarity, or maybe frustration, of explaining an old fashioned telephone and helping your reader through the intricacies of a machine he doesn't understand, you might want to chose another one of the excellent titles in this series! :)

[Benjamin Ellefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Little is having a baby. So nurse Aunt Lily risks flying over on Cousin Dinky's glider during a snow storm. But when she falls out, a rescue mission is needed to find her.

This exciting edition to the Littles series will fill the imaginations of young readers. It is a great edition for those new to the series as well as fans.

This is a must read for kids new to chapter books ages 7 to 10.

Check out my full review on my blog: https://benjaminellefson.com/blog/lit...

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS: You can always count on the Littles in this one because in this book aunt Lilly cannot visit the Littles and so she gets lost in a blizzard trying to get to Mrs.Little who is about to give birth to Betsy Little. The men set out to try to find Aunt Lilly. When they get back from their adventure they welcome a new Little to the family of Littles.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure in the woods.

Edited 2025: I read this out loud to the girls. We enjoyed it and they did quite well, even with the tension.

In this one, we find out more about the other tiny people who live in the Big Valley. Mrs. Little is having a baby, and so Aunt Lily is coming to help out.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfull book!It introduces a new type of tiny a Ground tiny.The main charecters are Cousin Dinky and the other littles.It reveives old charecters like the tree tinys. They even have little join the family.I really like this book a lot.It is very easy to read but I still love it.This book is one of my farorites I have read.John Perterson Did a good job making this book.

[Mark Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books are from waaaay back, but I remember them fondly. While the storylines have drifted away through time my imagination was always lit up imagining what it would be like to be a tiny person in a huge world.

Especially interesting since The Church said things like the Littles were real...

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this 30 years ago and loved it. Of all the three Littles books I've read, it is by far the best one. It's exciting and would make a terrific read aloud. If you know an early reader who needs a new chapter book series, start them on the LIttles!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure with the Littles that I honestly don't think I ever read before. Here we get to meet other kinds of littles - all the Tinies and of course Counsin Dinky and his mother. And a brand new Little is on the way!

Lots of fun to read. I am captivated by the imagination of the author. :)

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Lanie. Lots of relatability for us since this is about snowfall and the experience of expecting a baby. Fun adventure and good examples of family members risking their own safety for the welfare of their loved ones.

[Rose]

JF Pet

[Katie]

I loved these when I was in first grade; I would read them over and over.