When The Little House was first published in 1942 it was greatly praised, this resulted in its Caldecott win of 1943. One newspaper article from the New York Times by Anne T. Eaton discusses how Virginia Lee Burton uses “lively imagination” and “genuine power” to portray this story. She also says how it shows boys and girls to take a step back and not miss the changing of the seasons overshadowed by volumes of skyscrapers and the constant movement from apartment to apartment.[i] Another review insinuates that this book is not only for girls but also “masculine four-year-old” boys[ii]. Annis Duff in her “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasures with Books” mentions how beautifully illustrated The Little House is and how beautiful the pages radiate the seasons that even a young, masculine boy can be captivated. It is interesting that Duff made a point to defend the book to young male readers when the book was specifically written for Burton’s two young sons.[iii] The domestic symbol of the house and the pronoun “her” associated to it seems to encourage only girls to read the story. However, Burton’s most famous storybook, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, has a very important female character, the steam shovel Mary Anne, and yet boys seem to enjoy it greatly! It is easy to see why the fact that a boy would also like the book was pointed out, but Burton does a great job at appealing to both genders with her enjoyable educational stories, especially in The Little House.
The illustrations of The Little House garner as much attention as the storyline. The curving, flowing, circular compositions and the bright yellows, greens, blues and reds over two page spreads give this book its rightful claim to the Caldecott award. The reviews both past and present for the illustrations are positive. There is one review that specifically states: “it is works such as this that help define the concept of a picture storybook and build the reputation of the Caldecott Medal…”[iv] This is not a farfetched claim. The fact that Burton uses every single part of the physical book to convey her story- the illustrations, text, and even the endpapers, enables Burton’s environmental message to come full circle and to provide visually appealing pages.[v] Burton continues to be praised on her ability to incorporate the text with the surrounding illustrations and have both complement each other. Many wholeheartedly agree with her visions, and this allows her to continuously be so successful in the picture book industry, even after her death.
The Little House still gains high praise for its plot and illustrations as well as its values. Many people now associate it with their childhood and continue to read it with their children. Burton’s own editor stated “Her stories may be simple and straight-forward, but her books have heroes and heroines children can understand and enjoy, ingenious and satisfactory endings, and lively illustrations. The books survive because they exhibit so effectively the elements most basic to children’s literature.”[vi] This is why the book has celebrated its 70th anniversary in print last year. It still exemplifies main values of slowing down, enjoying life, understanding urban sprawl in the simplest of ways, pollution, and enjoying the beautiful aspects of nature. It is very often, however, compared to Burton’s most known work as mentioned before, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Burton herself includes Mary Anne, the steam shovel, within the pages of The Little House. One reviewer in the School Library Journal expresses her surprise that Mike was no longer on the top 100 children’s books poll yet The Little House was. She states that Mike Mulligan was a much more known name within a household than The Little House and as much as she loved The Little House, it was no Mike Mulligan[vii].
Goodreads and Amazon reviews reflect the same belief that The Little House is timeless and a great example of the negatives of urbanization, however, there are some negative feedback claiming this book is more enjoyable for adults than children. A woman by the username “Gail” complains that this book holds no impact on children and their interest would not hold with a story about an unmoving house. She also does not think the illustrations are worth any praise and questions the Caldecott win.[viii] Although I feel this is an over negative comment, “Gail” does bring up a good point that the Caldecott award is chosen by adults who think they know what is best for kids not by the children themselves. The argument can be made that such young children would not understand the concept of the award so in fact adults are necessary, but I can see her point. Still, many people who I know who have read the book absolutely love it and associate it with their childhood and home. I feel that the association alone provides such a sense of nostalgia that it continues to provide for the book’s constant stay in print.
Another instance in which The Little House expresses its values is when it is used to teach primary children about economics. The article titled “Teaching Economics Through Children’s Literature in the Primary Grades” discusses how The Little House and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel can be used to teach children about scarcity, urbanization, and capital resources.[ix] It is great that these books are actually being taught by librarians and teachers since the point is to not only provide an enjoyable picture book, but one that also teaches a lesson. This is why The Little House continues to be read today and its plot, illustrations and values are admired.
Resources:
Bird, Elizabeth, “Top 100 Picture Books: #32: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton,” School Library Journal, June 1, 2012. Web. 07 Nov 2013 <http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-32-the-little-house-by-virginia-lee-burton/>
Duff, Annis, in “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasures with Books” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986). Print, 35.
Eaton, Anne. "Books for the Young." New York Times 6 Dec. 1942: n. pag. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 07 Nov. 2013.
Elleman, Barbara. Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Print
Gail, Goodreads.com, Nov 2, 2013 <https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153540.The_Little_House?ac=1> Web. 07 Nov 2013
Lee Kingman, Virginia Lee Burton’s editor, in “Children’s Books and Their Creators”, Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986). Print, 42.
Peterson, Linda Kauffman in “The Caldecott Medal and Honors Book” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986) Print, 49.
Rodgers, Yana V., Shelby Hawthorne, and Ronald C. Wheeler. "Teaching Economics Through Children's Literature in the Primary Grades." The Reading Teacher 61.1 (2007): 46-55. Print.
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[i] Eaton, Anne, “Books for the Young” NY Times
[ii] Duff, Annis, “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasures with Books” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986), 35
[iii] Elleman, Barbara, Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002), 23
[iv] Peterson, Linda in “The Caldecott Medal and Honors Book” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986), 49
[v] Elleman, 29
[vi] Lee Kingman, Virginia Lee Burton’s editor, in “Children’s Books and Their Creators”, Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986),
[vii] Bird, Elizabeth, Top 100 Picture Books: #32: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, (School library journal, June 1, 2012)
[viii] Gail, Goodreads Review, The Little House
[ix] Rodgers, Teaching Economics Through Children’s Literature in the Primary Grades, 48-51
Goodreads and Amazon reviews reflect the same belief that The Little House is timeless and a great example of the negatives of urbanization, however, there are some negative feedback claiming this book is more enjoyable for adults than children. A woman by the username “Gail” complains that this book holds no impact on children and their interest would not hold with a story about an unmoving house. She also does not think the illustrations are worth any praise and questions the Caldecott win.[viii] Although I feel this is an over negative comment, “Gail” does bring up a good point that the Caldecott award is chosen by adults who think they know what is best for kids not by the children themselves. The argument can be made that such young children would not understand the concept of the award so in fact adults are necessary, but I can see her point. Still, many people who I know who have read the book absolutely love it and associate it with their childhood and home. I feel that the association alone provides such a sense of nostalgia that it continues to provide for the book’s constant stay in print.
Another instance in which The Little House expresses its values is when it is used to teach primary children about economics. The article titled “Teaching Economics Through Children’s Literature in the Primary Grades” discusses how The Little House and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel can be used to teach children about scarcity, urbanization, and capital resources.[ix] It is great that these books are actually being taught by librarians and teachers since the point is to not only provide an enjoyable picture book, but one that also teaches a lesson. This is why The Little House continues to be read today and its plot, illustrations and values are admired.
Resources:
Bird, Elizabeth, “Top 100 Picture Books: #32: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton,” School Library Journal, June 1, 2012. Web. 07 Nov 2013 <http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/06/01/top-100-picture-books-32-the-little-house-by-virginia-lee-burton/>
Duff, Annis, in “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasures with Books” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986). Print, 35.
Eaton, Anne. "Books for the Young." New York Times 6 Dec. 1942: n. pag. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Web. 07 Nov. 2013.
Elleman, Barbara. Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Print
Gail, Goodreads.com, Nov 2, 2013 <https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/153540.The_Little_House?ac=1> Web. 07 Nov 2013
Lee Kingman, Virginia Lee Burton’s editor, in “Children’s Books and Their Creators”, Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986). Print, 42.
Peterson, Linda Kauffman in “The Caldecott Medal and Honors Book” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986) Print, 49.
Rodgers, Yana V., Shelby Hawthorne, and Ronald C. Wheeler. "Teaching Economics Through Children's Literature in the Primary Grades." The Reading Teacher 61.1 (2007): 46-55. Print.
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[i] Eaton, Anne, “Books for the Young” NY Times
[ii] Duff, Annis, “Bequest of Wings: A Family’s Pleasures with Books” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986), 35
[iii] Elleman, Barbara, Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002), 23
[iv] Peterson, Linda in “The Caldecott Medal and Honors Book” Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986), 49
[v] Elleman, 29
[vi] Lee Kingman, Virginia Lee Burton’s editor, in “Children’s Books and Their Creators”, Children’s Literature Review, Virginia Lee Burton, (Gale Research, 1986),
[vii] Bird, Elizabeth, Top 100 Picture Books: #32: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, (School library journal, June 1, 2012)
[viii] Gail, Goodreads Review, The Little House
[ix] Rodgers, Teaching Economics Through Children’s Literature in the Primary Grades, 48-51