My Father's House [Hardcover]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Raul Colon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Oh my father, thank you,

for all your many mansions. . . .

From woodland halls to painted desert walls, from mountain porches wrapped in snow to rain forest attics catching clouds, this exquisitely beautiful poetic tribute to Earth’s creator is grand in its gratitude and sure of the love found throughout the natural world.

Filled with award-winning artist Raul Colón’s jewel-toned illustrations, My Father’s House imparts a refreshing and uplifting message that is necessary today more than ever. This is a book both to give and to treasure for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Taking a cue from John 14:2—"In my Father's house are many mansions"—Appelt pays tribute not to God's heavenly creation but to the wonders here on Earth. Singsong quatrains express gratitude for the diversity and beauty of nature, including a variety of landscapes—prairie, marsh, desert, mountains—as well as the animals who inhabit them. The slant rhymes in several of the stanzas may cause some readers to stumble, but the ecological concern behind the poetry will speak to children. Though occasionally Colón's intrepretations of the text seem too literal, his paintings' rich textures and colors, often suggesting the stylized designs of stained glass, support the text's reverential, celebratory tone. Reminded of the splendor of Earth's biodiversity and the mysteries of the heavens, readers of many faiths will echo Appelt's heartfelt conclusion: "Oh my Father, thank you / For all your many mansions . . . / I'll keep them fast inside my heart, / For this is what I know . . . / That each and every mansion / Makes this planet we call Home." Nolan, Abby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Kathi Appelt lives in College Station, Texas.

Raul Colón lives in New City, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (May 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670036692
• ISBN-13: 978-0670036691
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,039,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning poetry and illustrations for children, July 16, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Father's House (Hardcover)

My Father's House is a stunning example of beautiful poetry by Kathi Appelt and exquisite artistry by Raul Colon.

Based on the bible verse John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions," Appelt creates a soul-stirring interpretation of these mansions by using four-line stanzas to feature the different landscapes and backdrops of the Earth's natural characteristics. For example, in My Father's House, we read, "For the Tundra with its ballroom filled with dancing northern lights, I'll watch the arctic foxes in their finest coats of white."

As for the illustrations, they are incredible! Raul Colon works with soft hues and comforting shapes that are sure to soothe the child's eye and entice them into enjoying each room that Appelt showcases in her poetry.

What our family loved about this book was the writer's ability to take a bible verse and make it mean so much more. When we look at life in the context of our own private understanding, versus looking at the world as a whole, we prevent ourselves from learning and growing. But if we take the opportunity to combine God's word with Appelt's verse and Colon's artistry, we're given a chance to praise our Father for the beauty he has set before us and embrace a world greater than our own front door.

Armchair Interviews says: Beautiful words and beautiful illustrations to tell a wonderful story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical ode to the planet, January 30, 2008

By 

Susan VanHecke "www.susanvanhecke.com" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Father's House (Hardcover)

Kathi Appelt's poetic picture book My Father's House, with gorgeous illustrations by Raul Colon and the author's heartfelt thank you to Al Gore, gently and warmly reminds us that we are all guardians of the Earth. And while a Bible verse launches the book, there's an almost Native American feel to the text, an embracing of the natural world and our humble place in it, reflecting Appelt's own view that we are all natives of this planet.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful, May 21, 2008

By 

Sally P. Booklover (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Father's House (Hardcover)

The lyrical text and beautiful illustrations blend together to make a gorgeous book full of appreciation for our natural world. A perfect gift book for anyone who wants to celebrate the blessings of life and Earth.