Five Little Peppers
The Five Little Peppers is a book series created by American author Margaret Sidney which was published 1881 to 1916.
It covers the lives of the five children in their native state and develops with their rescue by a wealthy gentleman who takes an interest in the family.
When the youngest, Phronsie, is kidnapped by an organ grinder, she is rescued by young Jasper King and his dog Prince, both of whom soon become fast friends with the Peppers.
Though the Kings surround the Pepper children with luxury—in 5 years Phronsie collects 200 dolls—the values of hard work, humility, and togetherness are still firmly enforced by their mother.
The stories continue with the Peppers' adventures in school, abroad, and even back in the little brown house where their thoughts and hearts will always turn.
The series spans 17 years, beginning with Phronsie as a three-year-old and finishing with her as a 20-year-old young lady.
The series opens with Phronsie as a wide-eyed blonde three-year-old who sees the good in nearly everyone and is anxious to aid anyone in need.
Though quick of temper and firm of opinion, "Grandpapa" is a family man who seeks to ease every pain and concern in the lives of his children and the Peppers.
Jasper and his dog Prince befriend the Peppers when he rescues Phronsie from an organ grinder and his monkey, and his affection for them ultimately leads him to request their company permanently in the household by marrying Polly.
Letters from readers around the world prompted her to continue writing about the Peppers, which she did for another nineteen years.
The Pepper books were the inspiration for a brief series of feature films produced by Columbia Pictures in 1939 and 1940.
The rest of the children were Charles Peck (perhaps best known as the rich kid in the film version of Dead End) as Ben, Tommy Bond of Our Gang as Joey, Bobby Larson as Davie, and Dorothy Ann Seese as Phronsie.
In order of their original release, the films are: The Pepper books are referenced in the TV series Fargo—Season 2, Episode 1.
