Sunday, June 07, 2009

Children's Book Monday


Homeplace
By Anne Shelby
Illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

This is the kind of book that makes me want to snuggle up under a quilt with some hot chocolate while I disappear into the story and the pictures. So we tried it- and the children heartily agreed!

But whether you lie on a blanket in the sun, or squish together in a lumpy chair, or read to your family while they enjoy their dinner, Homeplace will find its own way into your hearts.

Six generations in one family are portrayed in this wonderfully busy storybook. A grandmother rocks her grandchild on her knee and begins to tell her the story of the great-great-great-great grandfather who built the house in which they live.

On the bottom of each page are vivid illustrations depicting the work that went into the building of the home, and as the years go by, the house is expanded to include a nursery, a greenhouse, a porch... the watercolors are soft and simple, with borders and landscapes that capture your imagination, but require a good deal of attention and discussion - give yourselves lots of fun time to read this story!

Even Eliana asked questions and pointed and gave little gasps of delight as we picture-gazed, and the boys, of course, thoroughly enjoyed the building of the old house- they were taking notes, since this summer/fall they plan to build a big fort with Daddy in the backyard!

I hope you can find Homeplace at your library- you will be inspired, no matter where you live, to make your *house* a home.

Happy Reading!

(If you have a children's book review posted today, would you kindly leave the url in the comments?)

11 fellow travelers shared:

Stacy said...

We love this book, too!

I love your Children's Book Mondays.

{And ah... Susan Ashton! It's been awhile... You're my kind of girl, Elise!}


(((Hugs)))

-J said...

Yet another book my nieces will now be enjoying... thanks to your recommendation and Amazon used books!

Anonymous said...

hi Elise,

We love Homeplace, too. I love children's books that keep me as interested as the children, don't you? It's a book that is on our (ever growing) wish list. :)

I have posted a book review today at:

http://wheremytreasureis.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/childrens-book-monday-adopted-by-an-owl/

I love the new pics on your sidebar, too!

Love,
Anna

Anonymous said...

Elise, Thank you for this sweet book idea. And for the Susan Ashton song. It takes me way back, but has perfect words for today...the world's not passing me by. Enjoying the privilege of being a mother, Mary Brooke

Beverly said...

Elise, Selena will LOVE this book. She loves looking at houses, and we had a similar book out at the library, but this one looks even better. I am pulling up our library website right now to reserve a copy!

Tracey said...

Hope I can find this book - looks wonderful!

Diane said...

It looks great. Hope my library has it!

Anonymous said...

Elise -
I miss you too! :(

But I will be around more in the coming months....

we are going to be homeschooling next year!!! The kids have been at a private school this past year and I have been working and that is all about to change drastically! Very excited, can you tell?

So, I am spending my mornings drenched in prayer for patience and grace, worried that I won't be good enough to breathe and let some of my control issues go....

pray for me, would you dear one?

Looking forward to catching up more regularly with you.

Love you! {{{{hugs}}}}

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this! I found the book at amazon.com and it got 5 stars! I am buying it right after I finish this comment!!!!!

Carrie said...

We were able to get this book at the library and have fallen in love with it. Thank you for sharing it!

Beverly said...

I just wanted to say that we have read this book too many times to count so far ... Great recommendation - I find myself taking personal time to study the pictures!

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