This is Our House - Softcover

Rosen, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0763628166 ISBN 13: 9780763628161

Publisher: Candlewick, 2005

Synopsis

"Playground dynamics become testy as a willful child attempts to exclude everyone else in this simple, humorous lesson in human relations. . . . Deft and funny." —THE HORN BOOK

George has a house made from a big cardboard box, and he says that no one else at the playground can come in. Not Lindy, because George's house "isn't for girls," nor Freddie, because it "isn't for small people." Sophie can't come in because, George says, "This house isn't for people with glasses." But when George leaves his house for a moment, everyone piles in, and on his return, George gets a taste of his own medicine. Aided by Bob Graham's striking illustrations of an urban playground, Michael Rosen tells the tale of a little boy who makes a big discovery — that letting everyone into his playhouse is a lot more fun than keeping them out.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Rosen is one of the most popular authors of stories and poems for children. His bestselling titles include Little Rabbit Foo Foo, Michael Rosen's Sad Book, This Is Our House, Tiny Little Fly, Dear Mother Goose and its sequel Dear Fairy Godmother. He has also written many collections of poetry including Bananas in My Ears. Michael received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for distinguished services to children's literature in 1997, and was the Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009. He is a distinguished critic and academic, co-directing an MA in Children's Literature at Birkbeck College. He is often called upon to talk about children's literature and his poetry readings are adored by children and adults. He also presents radio programmes for the BBC. Michael lives in London. Find him online at www.michaelrosen.co.uk and on Twitter as @MichaelRosenYes. Bob Graham, Australia's leading picture book maker, has written and illustrated many award-winning children's books, including Max and How to heal a Broken Wing. He has won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award an unprecedented three times and the Kate Greenway Medal in 2003 for Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?A cardboard box on an urban playground is the setting for this exploration of discrimination. George is in a cardboard "house" and declares that "This house is all for me!" As the other kids try to join him, he gives them his reasons why they cannot enter: no girls, no small people, etc. Race is not mentioned. The children try different approaches to soften George, but nothing works. Finally he has to use the bathroom, and when he returns the house is full. Charlene tells him, "This house isn't for people with red hair," and he shouts, cries, stamps, and punches. Then he realizes what the others have known all along: "This house is for everyone!" The playground setting helps keep the book from being weighed down by the important, but obvious, message. Graham uses watercolors and crayons to highlight the main action on each page, while gray-shaded drawings fill out the backgrounds. There are no lectures in the text; the kids work out the problem on their own using actions rather than speeches. The solution is not completely satisfying, as George learns his lesson only when he is given the same treatment he gave others. More important, though, is the children's unerring confidence that they do belong in the house, and their willing inclusion of George in the end. There are obvious opportunities for discussion and sharing here, but the book speaks for itself in a clear and engaging manner.?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763628166
• ISBN 13: 9780763628161
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Graham Bob
• Number of pages: 32