This Is Our House - Softcover

Rosen, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1406314927 ISBN 13: 9781406314922

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 2008

Synopsis

This is a brilliantly observed story of prejudice and children at play from the Children's Laureate Michael Rosen - now brought to life with an animated DVD!George says the cardboard house is his alone and isn't for girls, twins or people with glasses. But then he comes back to find that there are people inside who don't think it is for people who have red hair - like George. A topical and perceptive book that shows that it's much more fun to share. Offering a whole new storytelling experience, this picture book and DVD edition features a charming story animation, narrated by Adjoa Andoh. It's running time is approximately 6 minutes.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Rosen is an eminent writer, broadcaster, poet, performer and, in 2007, was nominated as the Children's Laureate. He received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature in 1997. He lives in London. Bob Graham is the celebrated creator of Max (9780744598278), winner of the 2000 Smarties Gold Medal, and Jethro Byrde, Fairy Child (9781844284825), winner of the 2003 Kate Greenaway Medal. He has won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award and lives in Victoria, Australia.

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1406314927
• ISBN 13: 9781406314922
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32