The Little House

Burton, V. (1942). The Little House;. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Readability lexile: AD890L 

Adult Directed - Picture books often get an AD or "Adult Directed" code. They're usually read to a child, rather than a child reading them independently. Although seemingly easy reading, some picture books actually have pretty high Lexile measures, and could present a challenging independent reading experience to an age-appropriate reader. Initially, an adult may want to read the book along with the child. 

Summary:

The Little House, by Virginia Lee Burton, is a story about a Little House that originally lived in the country, but as the years go by the countryside transforms into an urban city. What was once green grass and natural surroundings turned into large skyscrapers and loud train stations. The Little House grew shabbier and shabbier with each passing day. Soon enough, the Little House disliked living in a developing city, and "returned home" to the countryside. 

Evaluation of the text based on Donna Norton's characteristics of high quality literature (Norton, D. (2011):

This book could be used as high quality literature, because it serves for multiple avenues of learning. For example, this book could be used to teach about the different styles of living (rural and urban). This book could be used to teach to never forget who you are and where you come from. Home will always be home. This book could be used to teach about the change of seasons. Lastly, this book could be used to teach that dreams are always what you dream them to be. Follow them and see them through. The Little House dreamed of what it would be like to be in the city and she had that opportunity. 

In the Ten Steps for Reviewing Children's Literature by Norton, I think this book addresses lifestyles the best. The book's settings were the countryside and the city, and how they differ from one another.

Literary Elements:

1. Setting: The countryside and the city.

2. Conflict: The Little House had to overcome her comfort of being in the countryside, to being relocated to the city, only to be relocated back to the countryside. 

3. Tone: The reader is introduced to vivid images of the countryside and the city. The feeling of being in the countryside painted in the illustrations is calming, simplistic, and beautiful. The feeling of being in the city painted in the illustrations is busy, dirty, and loud. 

Mini-Lesson:

The lesson I would teach would be about lifestyles. I would have a discussion with my students about different types of lifestyles. I would start by asking them about their lifestyles. I would ask them to compare it with the ones that were discussed in the book. I would continue the lesson by asking them if they knew of any other lifestyles. I would bring closure to the lesson by asking them if a difference in lifestyle makes them any different than their classmates.

Target Audience:

My recommendation for The Little House would be the perfect example of a picture book that can be enjoyed on many levels for children 3 years of age and up. Children that are in preschool can appreciate and understand the feelings and desires of the Little House to return to the country as well as the passage of time and change of seasons through the illustrations. With older children, the story encourages a discussion on the environmental changes, urban sprawl, and living in nature. These topics have relevance today. The Little House I believe is an incredible example of why picture books matter. 

My personal reaction to this book was awe throughout. Before I even read the words, I did a "picture walk" and flipped through the pages and took the opportunity to view the images. The images in and of itself told me the story. I believe this book has true value and I would use it in my classroom if I had the opportunity to do so.