Review Detail

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.