House Takes a Vacation [Hardcover]

Jacqueline Davies (Author), Lee White (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

After the petersons leave for vacation, their house decides it wants to take a holiday, too! But the different parts of the house can't agree on where to go. Finally, the sunporch suggests the house go to the beach. The basement refuses "to rise to the occasion," but the rest of the house follows the front door as it leads the way-and the house has a vacation that it will never forget! Adding to the appeal are Lee White's oil and colored pencil illustrations, which bring this "home away from home" tale to a safe and sound conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–When the Petersons go on vacation, their house decides to take one, too. After some discussion, the windows, roof, front door, and sun porch agree to go to the beach, though the chimney complains in a smoky voice, Travel is a pain in the bricks. As the house walks away on spindly legs, the basement stays put: 'You're such a stick-in-the-mud,' said the roof, but the basement refused to rise to the occasion. When it finally reaches the sea, it stays to watch the Dance of the Sunlight as the sun rises over the water. Can't top that, says the roof. Puns are plentiful as the house takes a swim in the ocean and then goes home, arriving just before the Petersons do. What happened? the family wonders, as their bedraggled residence, seaweed hanging from its roof, starts to plan another vacation for next year. This slight story is memorable mainly for its play on words. The large oil and colored-pencil illustrations blend vivid colors and flowing shapes to create an impressionistic mood. The different parts of the barn-red dwelling have facial features (eyes, eyebrows, and mouths) that suggest distinct personalities. The beach scenes mix a foam-green ocean with dazzling blue skies. Humorous visual details abound, echoing the tale's silly fun. The text is not long but it is somewhat sophisticated in its humor.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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About the Author

Jacqueline Davies lives in Needham, Massachusetts. Lee White lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761453318
• ISBN-13: 978-0761453314
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jacqueline Davies is the talented author of both novels and picture books. Jacqueline lives in Needham, Massachusetts, with her three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rollicking Good Fun with Words, September 12, 2007

By 

Current Affairs - See all my reviews

This review is from: House Takes a Vacation (Hardcover)

This book rolls along on one hilarious word play after another. After the Petersons leave for vacation, their house decides it wants to take a holiday, too, but not before a squabble with the different parts of the house. The sunporch wants to head for the beach, but the basement refuses "to rise to the occasion." Lee White's delicious color pencil sketches show the house finally setting off, with the front door leading the way! The adventures of this vacationing house shouldn't be miss for those who love well-written, and beautifully illustrated picture books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent LA book!, November 24, 2007

By 

sloopy "MM" (OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: House Takes a Vacation (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book to read to your class after a basic introduction for punctuation. It is very well written and extremely funny with creative language. I loved it for my 5th grade class!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun!, November 4, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: House Takes a Vacation (Hardcover)

Jacqueline Davies' THE HOUSE TAKES A VACATION receives Lee White's drawings and tells of a house who decides it wants to take a holiday, too, when its owners go on vacation. The only problem is - different parts of the house want different things, so it can't decide on where to go. What happens when one part decides to go just where it wishes? Lots of fun!