“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
3.9 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
K – 2
Review and Comments:
Little House was lovingly built for family – generations of family. She was very content watching the family grow and the changing seasons from her small hilltop. As time passed, Little House also saw further transformations of the landscape. There was an increase in traffic so bigger roads were built through the beautiful countryside, and more and more people followed those roads right up to her little world. After awhile the ever-expanding and consuming city grew. Little House was in the middle of that crowded city with feelings that she was abandoned by the family who loved her. She was alone, boarded up and shabby, yearning for the life she used to have.
Everything changed when the great-great-granddaughter of the man who built the house saw Little House. She wasn’t pretty any longer but deep inside she was still the same well built house she had always been. When the great granddaughter confirmed that the house was indeed the old family home she moved Little House back to the peace of the country ready to begin life with a new family. It was the place where her heart could once again rest.
This story is a classic that many parents will remember. It not only shows how communities grow and change but more importantly how a house becomes much more when a family makes it a home.
Possible Concerns:
There are no concerns with this book.
Further Discussion:
- The Little House is a 1943 Caldecott Medal Winner.
Other books by Virginia Lee Burton with a K-2 interest level: (click on the images for affiliate link)
- Lesson about the seasons: Divide a poster into 4 equal sections. Label each section with a name of one of the seasons. Find pictures that represent each season and put them in the appropriate section. Or follow this very good science lesson.
- Compare country and city life:
- Read “City Mouse & Country Mouse: A Classic Fairy Tale” by Isabelle Chantellard
- Divide a poster into three equal sections. Label each section with the titles of: Urban, Suburban, or Rural. (1) draw scenes for each. Or (2) Take pictures around the city and outlying areas and use those pictures on the chart.
- Video: Walt Disney – The Little House – 1952
[I remember watching this cartoon as a child. I watched it again recently with my grandchildren, and there were three things I hadn’t remembered when Little House was in the midst of the city. 1. People yell and say, “Shut up!” and “Who are telling to shut up?” A brick is thrown. 2. Two obviously drunk men are heard singing on New Year’s Eve. 3. A glimpse of a newspaper headline reads: “New Murder” is shown.]
Catholic Resources:
May God’s blessing descend abundantly upon this house and upon all who dwell in it. May the grace of the Holy Spirit sanctify everyone.
May The Name in which all is safe, the sweet and Most Holy Name of Jesus, grant happiness and blessing in full measure to this house, and everything within it.
May the Most Blessed Virgin Mother of God, Mary, with motherly concern, look after all, and preserve all from any bodily or spiritual evil.
May the powerful prayers of the worthy St. Joseph obtain a prosperous issue to our undertakings and abundant merit from all our sufferings.
May the holy guardian angels protect all in this house from persecutions of the devil, and one day lead us to our heavenly fatherland.
May the blessing of Almighty God, The + Father, The + Son and the + Holy Spirit descend upon us and remain with us always. Amen.