This Is Our House

by Michael Rosen

Book Overview

"Playground dynamics become testy as a willful child attempts to exclude everyone else in this simple, humorous lesson in human relations. . . . Deft and funny." --THE HORN BOOK George has a house made from a big cardboard box, and he says that no one else at the playground can come in. Not Lindy, because George's house "isn't for girls," nor Freddie, because it "isn't for small people." Sophie can't come in because, George says, "This house isn't...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763628166
• ISBN13: 9780763628161
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.9" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

PEYC Book Club voted This is OUr House their Number 1 chocie book for February 2009

Parents and Educators of Young Children (PEYC) Book Club voted, This is Our House, their number 1 book choice for February of 2009. Most members of PEYC are early childhood educators, or parents of toddler or preschool age children, who are commited to promoting early childhood literacy. Members come together, once a month, to select quality children's literature to read and discuss with their children. The following month, members come together again, to discuss their chldren's responses to each of the prior month's chosen books and to select new books for the following month. The subject matter in, This is Our House, invites parents and educators to discuss the important concepts of bullying, sharing, and fairness. Through the guided discussions children are able to analyze the inappropriate behavior of one child in the story and think critically about their own behavior. This book is a must read.

A place for everyone

This is a very fine children's book. It has a "message" without being saccharine-preachy. It is so evidently set in a multicultural, inner city area with the sort of kids my son mixes with at school everyday. Bob Graham is a terrific illustrator, and this one is not a let-down. The children who are originally excluded by the "bully" take action to reclaim their place, and then teach George his lesson, before showing him that their more inclusive way is better than his selfishness.

A good book about sharing.

This Is Our House by Michael RosenGeorge tries to keep girls, small people, twins, people with glasses, people who like tunnels, and everyone else on the playground out of the cardboard house they used to share, but when he leaves to go to the bathroom, he returns to discover that everyone else is now on the inside and he is left alone on the outside. "This house isn't for people with red hair" says Charlene to George. After a tantrum or two, George learns his lesson and declares that the house is indeed "for everyone." George's conversion and the easy acceptance of his friends teaches an important lesson about inclusion and not being selfish. The urban setting and children of many cultures are also nice touches that are not overdone. The text is well-written and the cartoon like illustrations are detailed and fun. This is certainly a good read and teaches kids important lessons about sharing and getting along. I have been looking for books that deal with these issues and this one does so without being didactic or heavy handed. If you like this book, you may also want to check out Junk Pile! by Lady Borton.