Peterkin is a character from the children's book "The Peterkin Papers," written by Lucretia P. Hale in the late 19th century. He is known for his humorous and naive personality, often getting into amusing situations due to his lack of common sense. The stories revolve around Peterkin and his family, highlighting their adventures and misadventures in a lighthearted manner. The book features a series of short stories that showcase the everyday life of the Peterkin family, including characters like Mrs. Peterkin and the children. The tales are set in a quaint, fictional town and reflect the social norms and values of the time, making them both entertaining and insightful.