The House of Joyful Living - Hardcover

Schotter, Roni

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374334293 ISBN 13: 9780374334291

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2008

Synopsis

High on the roof of an apartment building is a garden where neighbors come to laugh, to dance, and to share – stories of helping others, breakfasts of challah and herring, and, once a summer, a Roof Party! Surrounded by loving adults, a girl with cabbage curls feels she lives “on top of the world – in paradise.” But something is about to change. Mama’s belly is growing bigger – and bigger! Can the girl share her mama and papa, and her wonderful rooftop world, with a new baby?

Based on the author’s own New York City childhood, this warm and spirited story – with bold art in the style of public murals – is a joyous and heartfelt celebration of community.  The House of Joyful Living is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

About this title

About the Author:

RONI SCHOTTER’s acclaimed picture books include Hanukkah!, winner of the National Jewish Book Award. She lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. TERRY WIDENER has received numerous awards for his illustrations. He lives in McKinney, Texas.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3—The residents of a crumbling, crowded apartment building gather on their idyllic rooftop garden to share food, music, and friendly conversation. There is a diverse cast of characters—Frenchie and Horty from Paris, Mr. Carriero from Italy, Curly and Touz, and Dick and Gene—but only one little girl with "cabbage-curly hair." With her family and all of her neighbors sharing this "House of Joyful Living," she feels like she is on top of the world. But as Mama's belly grows, she fears that, once the baby arrives, no one will pay attention to her. Aided by Widener's bold, expressive acrylics, Schotter paints a nostalgic picture of the warmth and joy of a close-knit, urban community and one little girl's realization of the blessings a new baby will bring. With a focus on community and neighborliness, this is a unique, though not essential, addition to the new-sibling bookshelf.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL
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About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0374334293
• ISBN 13: 9780374334291
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Widener Terry