This Is Our House
Every house has a story. In this book, we hear the stories that turned this house into a home for a little girl and her family. With a simple and beautiful design similar to a family photo album, this book traces the journey of three generations throughout the seasons. From the moment the little girl's grandparents arrived at their new house, readers are invited into the home where they lived, loved, and grew as a family. Similar to the house in this story, this book is one that all generations will appreciate and enjoy together.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Every child's description of "home" will be unique and can be celebrated. Invite children to share drawings or photos of their family, house, or a special gathering place that is meaningful in their lives. Creating an "All About Me" poster for each child that can be shared and displayed at the child's eye level can be comforting to him or her when the child's away from home or separated from his or her family. If an adult is teaching children in a center or classroom, it might be fun to create an album or journal for the classroom community. Children could contribute to this journal and add special announcements, artwork, photos, and more. Reflecting back on this journal creates a sense of belonging for the children and is also a wonderful tool for communicating classroom happenings with families.
Making connections between what is read and one's personal experiences is an important literacy skill. This book uses a storytelling style similar to that of a photo album. If adults have photos available of their child's past, and also pictures of themselves when they were a child, it would be fun to look at these together and talk about what is happening in each picture. If an adult does not have many pictures from the past, he or she can share stories with their child either orally or by drawing. Family stories are memories that can be passed down from generation to generation. Some families have not lived in the same house for several generations like the family in the story, but they may have a tradition that has stayed with them over the years, no matter where they go. Sharing and talking about these traditions is a fantastic literacy and language builder, not to mention a very cozy way to spend time together!