Someone's Come to Our House [Hardcover]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

The members of a family celebrate the arrival of a new baby.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An unseen narrator practically sings the verses of this celebratory book, which begins with an announcement and an invitation: "Someone's come to our house./ Yes, yes, bless-a-my-soul!/ Bright new start,/ Brand new heartA/ Come and see at our house." Carpenter's (Only a Star) sunny paintings show guests convening at a large old house, its porch hung with a "Welcome" banner, where a family is rejoicing. The reason for the festivities isn't spelled out until the penultimate spread, in which two children beam at a smiling baby who lays swaddled in a crib ("Angels keep watch so deep./ Peace, peace, bless-a-my-soul," read the first lines of the accompanying text). Appelt's (I See the Moon) verses are full of happiness; they might even tilt into sentimentality but for the robust art. Bustling with energy, the illustrations convey a host of lifelike scenarios unfolding throughout the party: an overly made-up woman in a tight dress pinches the cheek of a barely tolerant boy, a toddler swipes some frosting off an angel cake, a woman sneaks a kiss with the family dog. The result is a book that captures the jubilation and awe surrounding a family birth ("Baby's here/ God is near," the text concludes). Given the many titles that address the arrival of a new sibling in terms of the jealousy he or she may arouse, this volume will be welcomed for its convincingly enthusiastic voice. Ages 2-8. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-This rhyming story describes how family members and friends join together to welcome a new baby. The text has an adult voice-much of the word selection and phrasing is awkward and does not read aloud easily. The book tries too hard to strike a joyous tone: "Papa beams, eyes agleam./See, see, bless-a-my-soul!/Stands up tall,/Welcomes all-/Come and hug at our house." The artwork, done in oils on gessoed bristol board, captures the family's excitement. The infant is the focus of only one double-page spread, as he sleeps in a crib watched over by two smiling siblings. The colors are bright and the faces expressive, and the pictures tie in well with the text. A supplemental selection for new baby sections.
JoAnn Jonas, New York Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802851444
• ISBN-13: 978-0802851444
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,652,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Someone's Come to Our House (Appelt) 0-8028-5144-4, September 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Someone's Come to Our House (Hardcover)

This is a sweet book for preschool and grade-school children. It gives a great approach for dealing with new birth in a family and how to make everyone feel a part of the celebration. This book gave me a good feeling as I read it, and I will suggest it to others. Oh, if only all of our family get-togethers could be like this one!