Building Our House
Author(s): Jonathan Bean
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
Winner of the 2013 Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013
In this unique construction book for kids who love tools and trucks, readers join a girl and her family as they pack up their old house in town and set out to build a new one in the country. Mom and Dad are going to make the new house themselves, from the ground up. From empty lot to finished home, every stage of their year-and-a-half-long building project is here. And at every step their lucky kids are watching and getting their hands dirty, in page after page brimming with machines, vehicles, and all kinds of house-making activities!
As he imagines it through the eyes of his older sister, Building Our House is Jonathan Bean's retelling of his own family's true experience, and includes an afterword with photographs from the author's collection.
Review(s):
“Children ages 3–10 who already like tools and diggers aren't the only ones who will respond to the warmth and optimism in these clear, detailed, gently color-washed pages.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Shot through with pioneer spirit . . . Bean's terrific illustrations show a loving family, living in a mobile home as they gather lumber and pour concrete . . . Children will enjoy the comforting solidity of shoring up foundations and sawing strong boards.” —The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)
“* Raise the roof for this picture book. It's something special.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“* Lovingly told, this captivating tale will help satisfy a child's curiosity of what it takes to create a building from scratch.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“* Bean creates an engaging story as well as a glimpse into a warm family setting.” —The Horn Book, starred review
“A warm look at the nuts and bolts of building a house and turning it into a home.” —Publishers Weekly
“Wonderfully detailed, often humorous.” —BCCB
“What's heartwarming throughout is the depiction of a tight-knit family (‘My family makes up a strong crew of four').” —Booklist
NCSS-CBC: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (2014), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Master List (2014), Long-listed ALA Notable Children's Books (2014), Long-listed Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice A. ML (2014), American Library Association Notable Children's Books (2014), Nominated Indiana Young Hoosier Award Master List (2016), Long-listed Boston Globe - Horn Book Award (2013), Long-listed NYTBR Notable Children's BOTY (2013), Commended Charlotte Zolotow Award / Honor Book (2014), Long-listed Illinois Monarch K-3 Children's Choice AW ML (2016), Winner CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI) (2014), Long-listed Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (2014), New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Books of the Year (2013), Winner Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens (2014), Long-listed Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year (2013)
ISBN: 9780374380236