Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

Margaret Sidney was the pseudonym of American writer Harriett Mulford Stone Lothrop (1844 - 1924). In addition to writing popular children's stories, she ran her husband Daniel Lothrop's publishing company after his death. The daughter of New Haven architect, Sidney Mason Stone, she was "brought up in an atmosphere of culture and learning enhanced by free access to her father's large library." From early girlhood she "delighted in creating imaginary people". She was educated at seminaries near her home and graduated from Miss Dutton's School at Grove Hall in New Haven in 1862. While a student there "she displayed such mental alertness, combined with retentive memory and a great imaginative and poetic talent that she was marked for future success." She traveled extensively in the United States, and began creating literary compositions early in life.

I. A Home View II. Making Happiness for Mamsie III. Mamsie s Birthday IV. Trouble for the Little Brown House V. More Trouble VI. Hard Days for Polly VII. The Cloud Over the Little Brown House VIII. Joel's Turn IX. Sunshine Again X. A Threatened Blow XI. Safe XII. New Friends XIII. Phronsie pays a Debt of Gratitude XIV. A Letter to Jasper XV. Jolly Days XVI. Getting a Christmas for the Little Ones XVII. Christmas Bells! XVIII. Education Ahead XIX. Brave Work, and the Reward XX. Polly is Comforted XXI. Phronsie XXII. Getting Ready for Mamsie and the Boys XXIII. Which Treats of a Good Many Matters XXIV. Polly's Dismal Morning XXV. Polly's Big Bundle