Our Old House

by: Susan Vizurraga
Illustrated by Leslie Baker

Ages: Pre-K - 3rd grade
I find that some of the most loved books have a story that uses description with in the text to bring to life such simple pictures. This book is about discovering history within a house that dates back many years. The descriptions that the author writes about the simplest things draw in the reader and allow the reader to create their own attachment to the house that the author depicts. Knowing where home is can be a difficult topic for children who might not feel that sense of belonging. At the same time, being able to create a home from an "Old House" that needs alot of work can give a sense of home to everyone. This may be a book that could be problematic to students who may not beable (or are afriad) to describe their home. Even so, it would be a great book to use to talk about description and the way that using all of the senses can take a reader into the story you are trying to explain to them. I would use this as an example for a writing lesson in my own classroom.