The House Takes a Vacation - Softcover

Author Jacqueline Davies's first novel Where the Ground Meets the Sky was named an IRA-CBC Children’s Award Notable Book, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (NCSS-CBC), a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year, and a Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice. Since then she has published two picture books, The Night Is Singing and The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon. Ms. Davies lives in Needham, Massachusetts, with her husband, their three children, and their dog, Harley. Visit the author on the Web at: http://www.jacquelinedavies.com/

Illustrator Lee White has illustrated all kinds of quirky concepts for books and magazines, including talking houses! His work on his most recent picture book Stop That Nose! was hailed as "comic oil illustrations that capture every action-packed antic of the acrobatic nose and its ensuing managerie" by Kirkus Reviews. Mr. White, a graduate of the Art Center College of Design, lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and their three lazy cats. To learn more about the artist, visit: http://www.leewhiteillustration.com/

Grade 1-3–When the Petersons go on vacation, their house decides to take one, too. After some discussion, the windows, roof, front door, and sun porch agree to go to the beach, though the chimney complains in a smoky voice, Travel is a pain in the bricks. As the house walks away on spindly legs, the basement stays put: 'You're such a stick-in-the-mud,' said the roof, but the basement refused to rise to the occasion. When it finally reaches the sea, it stays to watch the Dance of the Sunlight as the sun rises over the water. Can't top that, says the roof. Puns are plentiful as the house takes a swim in the ocean and then goes home, arriving just before the Petersons do. What happened? the family wonders, as their bedraggled residence, seaweed hanging from its roof, starts to plan another vacation for next year. This slight story is memorable mainly for its play on words. The large oil and colored-pencil illustrations blend vivid colors and flowing shapes to create an impressionistic mood. The different parts of the barn-red dwelling have facial features (eyes, eyebrows, and mouths) that suggest distinct personalities. The beach scenes mix a foam-green ocean with dazzling blue skies. Humorous visual details abound, echoing the tale's silly fun. The text is not long but it is somewhat sophisticated in its humor.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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