The Littles

John Peterson

37 pages 1-hour read

John Peterson

The Littles

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1967

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Tom is the ten-year-old son of the Little family. Standing just a few inches tall with a long, soft tail, he possesses a brave and optimistic personality similar to his father's. He takes an active role in protecting his family, volunteering for dangerous tasks like dressing in a disguise to trick the humans. He approaches problems with an open mind, preferring creative solutions over violence.

Key Relationships

Son of Mr. Little

Older Brother of Lucy Little

Great-Nephew of Uncle Pete

Grandson of Granny Little

Secretly Startles Mrs. Newcomb

Approaches with Peaceful Plan for The Cat

William T. Little, known as Mr. Little, is the six-inch-tall patriarch of the tiny household. He leads his family with steadfast optimism and relies on his deep experience to keep them safe from the dangers of the massive human world. He takes his responsibility as a provider seriously and carefully monitors the house for threats, issuing strict safety rules when rodents appear.

Key Relationships

Husband of Mrs. Little

Father of Tom Little

Father of Lucy Little

Nephew of Uncle Pete

Family Member of Granny Little

Secretly Benefits from Mr. Bigg

Secret Observer of Mr. Newcomb

Uncle Pete is a seasoned elder of the Little family who walks with a limp following a devastating battle with rodents decades earlier. As a veteran of the Mice Invasion of '35, he maintains a highly cautious and pessimistic view of the world. He prefers to keep his sword sharp and advocates for direct, aggressive action against threats rather than creative problem-solving.

Key Relationships

Uncle of Mr. Little

Great-Uncle of Tom Little

Great-Uncle of Lucy Little

Uncle-in-Law of Mrs. Little

Family Member of Granny Little

Distrustful of The Cat

Lucy is the eight-year-old daughter of the Little family. She is highly anxious and openly expresses her intense fear of both felines and rodents, preferring to stay safely hidden in her room when danger arises. Despite her frequent worry, she possesses a strong loyalty to her family that allows her to act bravely when her loved ones face immediate peril.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Mr. Little

Daughter of Mrs. Little

Younger Sister of Tom Little

Great-Niece of Uncle Pete

Granddaughter of Granny Little

Deeply Fears The Cat

Granny is the eldest resident of the Little home. She provides essential survival materials by repurposing discarded human items into clothing and disguises for her family. Her age grants her significant wisdom, allowing her to accurately predict the consequences of the new human renters' poor housekeeping long before problems actually arrive.

Key Relationships

Elder Family Member of Mr. Little

Grandmother of Tom Little

Grandmother of Lucy Little

Elder Family Member of Mrs. Little

Family Member of Uncle Pete

Repurposes Items from Henry Bigg

Mrs. Little is the quiet, protective matriarch of the tiny household. She cares deeply for her children's safety and supports her husband's decisions regarding family security. She relies heavily on the routines established by the human owners of the house, particularly enjoying the meals prepared by the human mother before the new renters arrive.

Key Relationships

Wife of Mr. Little

Mother of Tom Little

Mother of Lucy Little

Niece-in-Law of Uncle Pete

Family Member of Granny Little

Secretly Relies on Mrs. Bigg

Mr. Newcomb is a human city-dweller who rents the house for the summer to paint. He strictly refuses to clean up after himself, allowing garbage to pile up and dirty dishes to sit out. His negligence creates a severe safety hazard for the tiny residents hidden in the walls by attracting dangerous rodents.

Key Relationships

Husband of Mrs. Newcomb

Renter of Mr. Bigg

Unknowingly Observed by Mr. Little

Supporting Characters

Mrs. Newcomb is a human writer whose evening story-reading sessions inadvertently provide nightly entertainment for the tiny family listening through the walls. Like her husband, she neglects basic housework until she is personally frightened into demanding action.

Key Relationships

Wife of Mr. Newcomb

Unknowingly Scared by Tom Little

Owner of The Cat

George Bigg is the human owner of the property where the tiny family secretly resides. He remains completely unaware of his hidden tenants, mistakenly believing his house simply maintains itself well. He leaves for a three-month vacation, triggering the central conflict of the story.

Key Relationships

Husband of Mrs. Bigg

Landlord to Mr. Newcomb

Unknowing Host of Mr. Little

Mrs. Bigg is the human matriarch of the household. Her regular cooking and knitting habits provide a steady, reliable source of food and craft supplies for the hidden family living in her walls.

Key Relationships

Wife of Mr. Bigg

Unknowing Provider for Mrs. Little

Henry Bigg is a member of the human family that owns the house. His discarded belongings, such as damaged clothing, provide vital raw materials for the tiny residents to survive.

Key Relationships

Son of Mr. Bigg

Unknowing Provider for Granny Little

The Cat is a feline brought into the house by the summer renters. As a large predator, she represents a massive physical threat to the tiny people living in the walls. Her predatory instincts make her an immediate danger until she is approached in a calm, non-threatening manner.

Key Relationships

Pet of Mrs. Newcomb

Target of Peaceful Plan by Tom Little

Feared by Lucy Little

Distrusted by Uncle Pete