this week's library book
If you haven't discovered Virgina Lee Burton yet, you are sadly missing out. I adore everything she ever illustrated including Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Maybelle the Cable Car, and Katy and the Big Snow. But my favorite of all her lovely books is The Little House (winner of the Caldecott medal in 1942) when Virginia was 33 years old.
This sweet book tells the story of a happy little house who lives out in the country. She watches the seasons change and the trees grow and takes care of the little family that lives inside. There is a city far off on the horizon and sometimes she wonders what it would be like to live in the city.
Over time, the little house notices that more and more cars are driving by and soon a steam shovel is widening the road so more and more cars can get to the big city. The little house misses her quiet meadows. The city that was once far away seems to be getting closer and closer.
And before she knows it, the meadows and fields by the little house have been replaced with tall buildings and city streets. Now that she lives in the big city, she realizes she does not like it one bit. One day a woman walks by the little house and says "This looks just like the house my grandfather lived in, but it was way out in the country." Upon further research she realizes that the little house is indeed the same.
So they rescue the little house, still sturdy as ever, and drive her back out to the country. "As the little house settled down on her new foundation, she smiled happily. Once again she could watch the sun and moon and stars. Once again she could watch Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter come and go."
11.19.2009
Reader Comments (55)
I love the illustrations, what a beautiful story.
Um, YES - this was one of my absolute favorite stories from my childhood. My Dad bought the entire set of Virginia Lee Burton books and I LOVED them. I still have my original copy of The Little House - it's an absolute treasure. I just got a copy for my neice last year. A wonderful, wonderful book.
It's a very sweet story indeed. I remember reading it and feeling so sorry for that little house when I was a child! Beautiful illustrations by the way.
Thanks for the reminder of a wonderful author and illustrator! You just helped me decide to buy Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel for a little boy's birthday! My brother (Mike!) loved it when we were little, but I hadn't thought about it in years.
Oh, I just love this book!
We love this one! And we love Katy and the Big Snow.
This is one of my absolute all-time favorites. I think I cried the first time I read it to my kids, love the story and the illustrations!
Oh my, that is the most beautiful story and the illustrations are so fantastic. I'm going to se if I can get the book in Australia. Thanks for these weekly book posts, it has made our trips to the library just that bit more interesting.
Well, Ill have to go and get that book for us tomorrow...especially since it seems to tell the story of my life thus far - although Im still waiting for someone to take me back to the country!
Great pick!
You should try "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown!
Oh, that looks lovely indeed. We will have to look for it at our local library.
Thanks for sharing. :)
Oh, oh, oh! The memories just flooded back. Love that book, love Virginia Lee Burton. Thank you!
cuuuute!
I'm so glad you posted about this book, it's been on my wish list for ages but I'd forgotten about it. I think I'll get it for my daughter now for Christmas.
Oh my gosh, you are someone after my own heart. I grew up with this book as a child, and it was the first book I read to my baby when we got home from the hospital. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is just so sweet and simple. Thanks for reminding me what a great book it is!
i always love these posts, especially the way you take the photos from above the kids. it's so cute!
This brings back such memories, the little house, mike mulligan, and katy and the big snow were some of my favorites as a child. Thanks for the reminder -- its funny how seeing those pictures again transports me to another time and place.
I love Mike Mulligan and Maryanne. I'll have to find this one too.
Oh, I usually just lurk on your blog but Virginia Lee Burton MUST be commented upon. I absolutely love Mike Mulligan and this Little House book is one of my favorites too. I must find the others so I can read them with my little girl!