The Hidden House [Hardcover]

Martin Waddell (Author), Angela Barrett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

With the owner gone, three dolls watch as their house becomes hidden by growing plants and trees until a man walks by and discovers the residence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With its Laura Ashley-style endpapers and country flowers, Waddell's quiet tale of three solemn dolls is elegantly illustrated. A lonely man carves three dolls to keep him company, and when he moves away, the dolls watch from the window as weeds and brambles run wild and their "little house disappeared in the middle of green things." A tree grows in the deserted kitchen, and insects and small animals take refuge from the winter cold. Now it is the dolls who are lonely until--many years later--a family moves in; the daughter paints new faces on the dolls, who are happy to have "a whole family to live with" again. The haunting and strangely animating presence of the dolls, the exquisite details of landscapes and interior scenes and the delicacy of Barrett's watercolors lend grace to this enchanting story about the passing of time and seasons. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- An old man living in a cottage fashions three large wooden dolls to keep him company. One day Bruno leaves and doesn't return. Slowly everything changes. The dolls are mute but interested observers as spiders spin webs and mice scurry around. After many years a man and his family rediscover the hidden house and work to revive it. The man's little girl finds the dolls and carefully repairs them. Barrett's watercolors give the book a soft, sweet, almost Victorian look, in keeping with Waddell's simple and charming story. A wry attitude throughout balances realism and fantasy; the print is large and, without compromising the integrity of the story, the vocabulary is simple enough for second graders to handle. In outline it seems like an extremely simple story, but it is handled with wit and delicacy by both the writer and the artist to create a very satisfying whole. --Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 2 edition (October 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076360335X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763603359
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,261,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle story celebrates change, February 8, 2000

By 

Stephannie (Durham, North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hidden House (Hardcover)

We loved Waddell's gentle story and Barrett's lovely illustrations. One aspect of the story that we found particularly appealing was the portrayal of the overtaking of the house by nature as interesting and positive--many insects and animals come to live in the house and plants cover the walls and floors. Things get a little green and smelly, but the dolls don't mind because it's so interesting to see the changes. Children of all ages will like this tale of finding a new family to love.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Home is Where the Heart Is, January 26, 2000

By 

K. Stinchfield (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hidden House (Hardcover)

The Hidden House is my favorite picture book because it is such a wonderful, magical tale. If you have ever craved a home of your own, filled with history and character, this is a story for you! The illustrations by Angela Barrett are so evocative. When I read it to my students, they always collectively sigh, once they realize the house is being loved. Read it! You'll love it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful childrens book, October 21, 2002

By 

Nicole L Guice (tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hidden House (Hardcover)

This book was outstanding. It was one of my personal childhood favorites, and for good reason. This book is ideal for parents to read to younger children, and older, more advanced readers will be proud to be able to read it. The language used is descriptive and really sets you in the book, but isn't too hard to read for children of about 6. And if the plot doesn't quite entrance you, the illustrations are remarkable. I highly recommend it for any child!