The House That Crack Built [Paperback]

Clark Taylor (Author), Jan Thompson Dicks (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

With a beat reminiscent of hip hop or rap music, a well known nursery rhyme is brilliantly transformed into a powerful poem about the tragic problem of illegal drugs and its victims. From the harvesting of the coca plants to dealers and gangs to the innocent crack babies born everyday, cocaine's journey is starkly traced from beginning to end. The rhythmic text, which is realistic but not moralizing, will appeal to teenagers and adults. But it is also accessible for even very young children, making this a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, caregivers, and everyone else who is looking for a way to broach this difficult subject. A list of organizations is provided for those seeking help for a loved one or a way out for themselves. A forword by children's advocate Michael Pritchard teaches us that we are all victims of this debilitating drug but reminds us that we also have the ability to change our world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A familiar nursery rhyme takes a decidedly dark turn in this sobering picture book. Written in a hip - hop rhythm and based on "The House That Jack Built," the new cumulative rhyme focuses attention on the drug trade and abuse of crack cocaine. No stone is left unturned as the text demonstrates the drug's ripple effect that begins with exploited South American coca farmers--"These are the Farmers who work in the heat"--and ends up invading urban neighborhoods also infested with gangs, violence, despair and hopelessness: "This is the Street of a town in pain"; "This is the Girl who's killing her brain." Dicks uses muted, somber colors and almost cubist figures and images to illustrate crack's lethal potential. The picture book format is well-suited to presentation of this subject matter to a wide audience--younger readers can readily digest the sparse text and ask questions about the art, while older children and adults may use the book as a jumping off point for more involved discussion. All of the publisher's proceeds from the book will go to drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs that specifically help children. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

K Up-- A picture book that uses the patterns and rhymes of the traditional ``House That Jack Built,'' this tells of the despairing trail of crack/cocaine from the cultivation of ``. . . the plants that people can't eat,'' to the addicted mother and baby, the overworked cop, and the other victims and villains of the inner-city drug trade. The handsome, somber modernist paintings echo Picasso's earliest proto-Cubist work, and will appeal to an older age group, although the strong line, touches of bright color, and representational style do make them accessible to younger children. It will work best for any age when introduced by an adult and used as the basis for serious discussion. An afterword for adults by PBS activist Michael Pritchard and a brief list of national organizations working in addiction services are appended. This is a unique book, disturbing but valuable. The challenge will be where to shelve it and how to introduce it. --Rosanne Cerny, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811801233
• ISBN-13: 978-0811801232
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Social Issues > Drug Use & Abuse > Nonfiction
  • #41 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Drugs
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Social Issues > Drug Use & Abuse > Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple, yet powerful story of cause and effect., February 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The House That Crack Built (Paperback)

We already know that crack is bad for us. Do we really think about how many people are affected by the drug? Who really benefits? The stark reality of the pain caused by crack is depicted in this simple style reminiscent of The House That Jack Built. The book is thought provoking. The sing-song repetition helps the reader see the progression of pain. This is a great book for beginning a discussion on drugs and their effects on society.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars taking responsibility for our own actions, May 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The House That Crack Built (Paperback)

i use this book continuously when working with patients with substance abuse. i have found it helps them to think about how our actions effect others... about how buy crack just isn't bad for the addict, but destroys the whole community. i read the other reviews about this book. the ones who are pessimistic, don't seem to be getting the point. the overall theme is taking responsibility for our own actions and considering the possibility of change. it reminds me everytime that i read it, that in some small way, my choices are making a difference.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for children, August 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The House That Crack Built (Paperback)

I was first introduced to The House that Crack Built working at a summer program in the ghetto of North Philadelphia. I instantly saw the interest it sparked in the children and the thought that it provoked in them. To them this book was al to real, as for many drugs is a part of their every day life. However, it showed drug dealing and drug use without the glamour that is often given to it both in the media and in many drug infested areas. Yes it is true that many middle class suburbanites also abuse drugs but the reality of the matter is that such a choice will have more of an impact on somebody from the ghetto that have little to hope for in life as it is.