Customer Reviews

Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion

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Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion is an imaginative and well-crafted tale, and its message of looking past surface appearances comes across without ever getting in the way of the storytelling. The outrageous and detailed illustrations really bring the story to life.

I think the book will be a treat both for younger children, and for those old enough to read it themselves, and it will be a story they will return to again and again.

Having taught Reading to primary grade children in a public school for thirty three years, I found this book to be in the finest tradition of good childrens' literature. Ms. Roberts has written a delightful book with a sensitive compelling story. The narrative will touch children's minds and hearts. The hysterical illustrations will tickle their funny bones. Altogether a magical, memorable book. Kids will love it!

This book is a sumptuous delight for the eyes, and the heart as well. Rob's drawings are intricate, whimsical, and delightful. Mrs. Murphy is quite a character that everyone is going to wish would live on *their* street. Guess what our neices are getting for Christmas? One is 11, the other is 16, and they're both going to love it - just like we do.

Please, Amazon, re-check your facts and correct the spelling of Rob's last name.

"We certainly won't win THE VERY FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST with that awful little house on our street", shouted Mr. Brown. It should be torn down!" - Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion

Mrs. Murphy and her dog Pickles live in an unusual little house situated at the very center of town. It was so small, her neighbors always watched in amazement when she entered her abode--wondering how in the world she could move around once she got inside! Her unusual house made the neighbors so uncomfortable, they tried to pretend it wasn't there.

That is, until the VERY FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST.

The neighbors gathered around, offering ideas to improve the neighborhood--to make it more beautiful. Mrs. Green suggested planting trees and flowers along the sidewalks while Mr. Gold wanted to include a magnificent gold statue.

"What very fine ideas", observed Mrs. Murphy with a cheerful smile.

However, as soon as Mrs. Murphy walked away, the neighbors began talking about Mrs. Murphy's house, calling it ugly--and Mr. Brown shouting that it be torn down!

Fueled by mob energy, they accost Mrs. Murphy and tell her that her doesn't belong on "their" very fine street--and shouted that her dreadful house has got to go!

Unruffled, the good-natured, but surprised, Mrs. Murphy answers that her house is very fine indeed, and that they were invited to join her tomorrow for lunch to see for themselves.

What follows in this delightful story is a lesson about not judging people (or houses) from the outside, and re-evaluating what makes something "fine" or "beautiful". Instead of answering her snobbish neighbors with defensiveness or trading insults, Mrs. Murphy takes the high road--and her kindness shines in stark relief to the neighbors' narrow-minded cruelty.

Mrs. Murphy's Mansion, superbly written by Emma Perry Roberts and outrageously illustrated by Robert Rogalski, conveys the importance of not judging by appearances, as well as the power of kindness. The illustrations are absolutely delightful, and I enjoyed reading this book (although I felt badly for Mrs. Murphy.) Indirectly, this book also conveys the message of empowerment: when you value yourself and cultivate gratitude and cheer, you can meet the nastiest of remarks with a level head, warm smile, and an invitation to understand.

There is a Very Finest Neighborhood Contest coming up that the citizens of Mrs. Murphy's community hope to win! After all, isn't their neighborhood the most perfect neighborhood of all? As soon as word of the contest spread, the people gathered to chat about the many novel ideas they could come up with to beautify their street and win the prize. During their conversations, they decided to make certain additions, such as: a large welcome sign, new lamp posts, trees, flowers, park benches, a fountain and perhaps even a statue in the circle. As they stood about making their grand plans (with great confidence too), Mrs. Murphy opened the door of her tiny, and quite peculiar looking, little house to walk her dog (Pickles). Suddenly, all the planning came to a screeching halt! They had forgotten about Mrs. Murphy's house.

Now, of course, Mrs. Murphy is a pleasant enough person, but the neighbors knew they would never win this contest with HER house in THEIR neighborhood. It must be pointed out here that none of them had ever been INSIDE Mrs. Murphy's tiny and peculiar looking house, but they certainly knew what it would look like on the inside because they could judge THAT by the outside. Isn't that right? Can't the inside be judged by what the outside looks like?

Come along and laugh with a delighted Mrs. Murphy as she gently turns the tables on these fine folks by inviting them to lunch INSIDE her house. Cheer with her as she politely (if maybe a bit gleefully) leads them from one grand room to another, as the house seems to grow before their very eyes! By the time the tour and lunch is over, the neighbors fully understand that it is not what something (or someone) looks like on the OUTSIDE that counts. It is the surprises held on the INSIDE that makes all the difference.

***** As parents, don't we all want our children to accept people by their characters (insides) instead of their outward appearances? If that is indeed the case, then Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion is an extraordinary tool and even the youngest child will grasp its lessons. The illustrations are whimsical and filled with bold color, but they also hold many tiny surprises for children to search out - which only adds to my excitement about this book. I truly enjoyed every word! This is exactly what I have come to expect from Illumination Arts Publishing. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson of Huntress Reviews.

Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion is a delightful story I share with my grandchildren to help them recognize the importance of accepting people for who they are on the inside, and that the outside is often deceiving. The brightly colored illustrations, chock-full of details keep us finding something we missed the last time we read it. This is a book that will be with us the rest of our lives.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/06)

"Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion" is a marvelous book. The story is lively and the illustrations are delightful. The message behind this book is timely. We should look inside a person and not judge their exterior

"The Finest Neighborhood Contest" causes quite a stir in this perfect neighborhood. Perfect except for one house. Mrs. Murphy's home isn't perfect and doesn't fit in with the neighbor's idea. When the neighbors confront Mrs. Murphy she invites them for lunch and they tour her home. What a marvelous home it is. Bright and cheerful with plants and trees and bright colors everywhere. The neighbors agree their neighborhood is perfect in every aspect.

"It is a very fine day indeed," mused Mrs. Murphy, "when we learn that beauty on the inside matters more than beauty on the outside." If we could all learn that lesson.

What an adorable book. I highly recommend it for children up to ages 9. Older children may find it too simplistic. Children will be fascinated with the illustrations and the message is a beautiful one.

Book received free of charge.