Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
In the life of a house, there is a sad ending when one family packs up and moves out. The girl has one last swing outside, before she holds hands with her parents and walks through the door for the final time. But then there is a happy beginning … Another family holds hands and walks through the door of the house. As boxes are unpacked, the boy has his first swing outside. Soon he is curled up ‘snug and warm’ in his bed.
Trudie Trewin’s clever story is reversible, so it can be read from front to back and vice versa. Children aged four to eight will enjoy changing the dynamic of the plot by controlling which family arrives and which family leaves. Regardless of the order in which the tale is told, it is brimming with meaningful moments and tender emotions that will resonate with any child who has had to reluctantly depart from a cherished home that is full of memories.
Warm hues imbue Lavanya Naidu’s illustrations with a strong sense of nostalgia. Each spread is awash with delicate details for young eyes to discover, from the ever-watchful dragon gargoyle on the house roof to the child’s ‘Our House’ artwork that links the two families forever. Busyness is contrasted with stillness to great effect, allowing readers to catch their breath and take in the importance of togetherness.
Our
House
heartens kids who are resistant to change, reminding them that love, connection
and security come from the people we are with, not the buildings in which we
reside. And when one door closes, another one opens – with exciting
possibilities around every corner.
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