Originally appearing as a series of short stories in a children’s magazine, The Peterkin Papers is a collection of tales featuring the hysterically inept Peterkin family. The Peterkins’ unfortunate lack of common sense causes hilarious unintended consequences nearly every time they have an idea. They muddle through life’s challenges with love and cooperation, but when they come to their wits’ end, they know they need help. The Peterkins decide to consult the wise, sensible “Lady from Philadelphia,” who manages to extricate them from their troubles with sensible commonplace solutions.
Lucretia P. Hale (1820–1900) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was an American journalist, author, and literature devotee. She published numerous stories in periodicals and newspapers, some of which have been collected in books.
Susan McCarthy is a science and humor writer whose work has appeared in Salon, Parade, Smithsonian, and more. She is also the cocreator of SorryWatch and lives in San Francisco.