#blogbookaday: This House, Once

Summary:  “Deborah Freedman’s masterful new picture book is at once an introduction to the pieces of a house, a cozy story to share and explore, and a dreamy meditation on the magic of our homes and our world.
Before there was this house,
there were stones,
and mud,
and a colossal oak tree—
three hugs around
and as high as the blue.
What was your home, once?

This poetically simple, thought-provoking, and gorgeously illustrated book invites readers to think about where things come from and what nature provides.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: I love this book – it is quiet and whimsical and simple and beautiful in all the best ways. The words conjure up such specific pictures in my mind, while the hazy, soft illustrations are gorgeous. I loved this perspective of what a house was before it became something so important – how each piece was gathered together to create something safe and warm. Plus, with an adorable little cat that you follow throughout the simple text, how can you go wrong?

Personal Reaction: I can picture the author’s house in my mind as she explains how each piece fits together so perfectly. I have fond memories of my childhood home with it wraparound front porch, its’ warm, cozy sunroom and the way it creaked and groaned as it said good night. This book would work well for a variety of ages from preschool through middle school even – you could definitely use this title to talk about habitat, natural resources and looking at an inanimate object in a new way. You could also pair this title with Wishtree by Katherine Applegate to look at trees in a whole new way!

Title: This House, Once
Author: Deborah Freedman
Illustrator: Deborah Freedman
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 28, 2017

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!