The aim of Little Threads is happily indicated in its closing sentences: 

If you find that you like to have your own way a good deal better than you like your mamma to have hers; if you pout and cry when you can not do as you please; if you never own that you are in the wrong, and are sorry for it; never, in short, try with all your might to be docile and gentle, then your name is Tangle Thread, and you may depend you cost your mamma many sorrowful hours and many tears.  And the best thing you can do is to go away by yourself and pray to Jesus to make you see how naughty you are, and to make you humble and sorry.  Then the old and soiled thread that can be seen in your mother’s life will disappear, and in its place there will come first a silver, and by and by, with time and patience, and God’s loving help, a sparkling and beautiful golden one.  And do you know of anything in this world you should rather be than Somebody’s Golden Thread?—­especially the Golden Thread of your dear mamma, who has loved you so many years, who has prayed for you so many years, and who longs so to see you gentle and docile like Him of whom it was said:  “Behold the Lamb of God!”

Little Threads is based upon a very keen observation of both the dark and the bright side of childhood.  The allegory, in which its lessons are wrought, is, perhaps, less simple and attractive than that of Little Susy’s Six Teachers, or that of Little Susy’s Little Servants; but the lessons themselves are full of the sweetest wisdom, pathos, and beauty.

10. Little Lou’s Sayings and Doings. 1868.

Among the papers of her sister, Mrs. Prentiss found a journal containing numerous little incidents in the early life of her only child, together with more or less of his boyish sayings.  Much of the material found in this journal was used in the composition of Little Lou; and that is one thing that gives it such an air of perfect reality.

11. Fred and Maria and Me. 1868.

12. The Old Brown Pitcher. 1868.

This is a temperance tale.  It was written at the request of the National
Temperance Society and issued for their press.

13.  Stepping Heavenward. 1869.

Some interesting details respecting this work have been given already.  Its circulation has been very large, both at home and abroad; far greater than that of any other of Mrs. Prentiss’ books.  More than 67,000 copies of it have been sold in this country; while in England it was issued by several houses, and tens of thousands of copies have been sold there, in Canada, in Australia, and in other parts of the British dominions.