Little Houses

5.0

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Author(s)

Kevin Henkes

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Laura Dronzek

Publisher

Greenwillow Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

May 24, 2022

ISBN

978-0062965738

Buy This Book

From award-winning and bestselling author Kevin Henkes and the acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek, Little Houses is an unforgettable masterpiece about nature, family, wonder, and the ocean. The lyrical writing and stunning paintings make this a great choice for family sharing and for story times all year round.

When a young girl visits her grandparents at the beach, she stays in a little house and walks along the shore gathering seashells—which were once little houses of their own. As she wanders the beach, she wonders about the creatures who used to live in each shell, about the hidden treasures of the sea, and about the mysteries of the world.

Kevin Henkes’s text features striking imagery, depth of emotion, and a lovely multigenerational relationship. He deftly captures the feeling of wonder and imagination that is fostered by a trip to the shore. Laura Dronzek’s lush, saturated paintings make this book a true treasure for parents and children, and a must-have for the classroom.

Editor review

1 review

engaging picture book about the beach/ocean

June 20, 2022

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

LITTLE HOUSES is a pensive and poetic picture book about family and the majesty of the ocean. A young girl is spending time with her grandparents at the beach. She is gathering seashells with them and realizes that they are like little houses for the animals who had lived in them. She considers the ocean and how little she knows about it. At the end of the day, she brings the seashells into her room and considers how they are houses in a house, connecting the world.

What I loved: This is a really thoughtful story that encourages children to consider the world around them. The magic of the beach and the ocean comes to life through the eyes of the young girl. The lush and colorful sketch-like illustrations bring the majesty and whimsy of it all to life. The connections the young girl has with her grandparents is apparent as she spends time with each along the beach. Children will connect with the story and view the beach in a new way amidst the poetic language and thoughtful words.

The text is large and easy to read aloud. The relative brevity of words on each page makes the pages turn as quickly as young readers would like and makes this a great pick for toddlers and preschoolers.

Final verdict: A lyrical picture book about the magic of the beach and ocean, LITTLE HOUSES is a pensive and thought-provoking read that will appeal to young readers.