Margaret Sidney was a talented author, who could make even inanimate objects, such as the stove, seem alive. The Peppers are all delightful children, with Joel being the most honest of the bunch as he complains about having to eat the same food every day. First published in 1881, "The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" is old-fashioned (the doctor even makes house calls!), but still enjoyable. As a child I thought how terrible it was that Polly couldn't read for days on end because of the measles as an adult I realize the Peppers couldn't even afford to buy books. As an adult, I realize how poor the family really was and how quickly the children had to grow up. When I was young I thought how much fun the Peppers had and longed to belong to a large family. It's always interesting as an adult to reread a book that I loved as a child. This friendship will enrich their lives in ways they never thought would be possible. The family has other adventures and befriend Jasper King during one of them. Ben and Polly do what they can to support the family, but a bout with measles threatens the well being of the entire Pepper clan, especially Joel and Polly. Despite their poverty, they are a loving family, full of spirit and adventure. Pepper struggles to earn enough money to support the family. Their father died when Phronsie was a baby and Mrs. "The Five Little Peppers" are Ben, Polly, Joel, Davie, and Phronsie.
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