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 forgot how much I LOVE this book. Thanks for the reminder to go track it down at the library for my sons. xoxo
Still have my copy from my childhood. Just got to love the classics.
This has been one of our favorite books for years. Whenever I see a house getting moved on a big truck somewhere I think of it!
I LOVE Virginia Lee Burton as well. Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel is a favorite around our home. I love reading it not only for the sweet story line, but for the excellent illustrations.
one of my favorite childhood books and read it to my little guys often.
This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I TOTALLY forgot about it until I saw this post. Thank you! :):) Oh the nostalgia! When did I grow up?
This book was my best picture book in my childhood. I read this book in Japanese (I am a Japanese woman who moved in US 4years ago). My daughter is 4 years old now. I think I will start reading this book with her in Japanese soon.
I LOVED this book as a child. It was one of my absolute favorites. I was just thinking about it the other day and how I should pick it up for a Christmas present for my 2 year old daughter.
I adore that book. I had it when I was a child and now my children have it and love to read it too.
She is one of my favorite authors too - I have a soft spot for Maybelle the Cable Car. And if you are interested there is a wonderful book called Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art by Barbara Elleman.
hey! I just flicked through the comments so I don't know if this was mentioned before but disney did an animated version of the book and the concept art was created by Mary Blair, her interpretations of the drawings in the book are GORGEOUS!
My daughter loves this book.
I had forgotten about this book! I loved it as a child and can't wait to check it out and read it to my children.
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. And I swear I saw the actual house last year in Chicago. But it hadn't been moved from the city yet! Thanks for reminding me of this beautiful classic.
Anna
I just passed my original copy of this book from my childhood down to my daughter. I also have Mike Mulligan's steam shovel for her as well. So glad I kept these!