Way Back Wednesday: The Little House

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The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1943.  I think it is my very favorite Caldecott book ever.  I cry every time I read it!!  It is a little lengthy for a traditional picture book, but if your kiddo is old enough to "get" the story, they won't mind sitting still a little longer.

My Two Cents

I love the words.  "At night she used to dream of the country and field of daisies and the apple trees dancing in the moonlight." The emotions that you feel reading Burton's words take you into this world she created.  You identify with this humble little house.  You long for a simpler time.  You are nostalgic.

I love the illustrations.  The opening picture is light, bright, and cheery, but as the house becomes more and more unloved, the pictures become darker and darker.  I'm amazed at how big of a difference that makes in kid lit!  This book is so well planned.  Even the text is not justified...it is all over the page.  Those little things like that make it interesting to a kiddo...and grown ups too!

Some books come and go, but classics like this are held onto and put in one's permanent library. 

Other lovely titles from Virginia Lee Burton