The House in the Meadow (Library Binding)

by Shutta Crum (Author), Paige Billin-Frye (Illustrator) "Over in the meadow, it was springtime when . . . came a bride and a groom and their best friends 10..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-A clever idea inspired by Olive A. Wadsworth's classic counting poem, "Over in the Meadow." This version begins with a springtime wedding attended by 10 best friends and counts down as the community comes together "when spring came again" to build the couple a home in a meadow. The poetry is awkward when read aloud-"Over in the meadow, beside forms strong and straight,/Peter mixed concrete with his messy masons 8./`Pour!' said Peter. `We pour,' said the 8./So they poured the concrete into forms strong and straight." Attractive spreads of cut-paper collage carefully detail the process through the seasons, indoors and out, and end with a sunny scene, a picnic, to celebrate the completion of the home and birth of the couple's son. Many ethnicities are represented, and men and women of various ages work together side by side. Women own businesses-painting, plumbing, and moving-and the electricians are "John Bright & Daughters." An additional purchase, with much stronger art than text.
Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. Colorful collage and mixed-media illustrations decorate this new take on the traditional counting rhyme "Over in the Meadow." In this version, a couple celebrate their marriage with their "best friends 10," then break ground for a new house. The house rises in the meadow, thanks to cheerful "diggers 9," "masons 8," "carpenters 7," and so on, until "inspector 1" makes sure everything is done. Crum neatly fits descriptions of house building into the format of the song, covering everything from the masons who pour the foundation, to the roofers, the plumbers, and the electricians, and the illustrations are both cheerful and clever. Billin-Frye effectively uses crisply cut solid-color and patterned papers, overlapping them to give the pictures a three-dimensional look. This book works on many levels: as a creative counting book, a familiar sing-along, and an appealing introduction to building a house. It will also be great for reading aloud. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807533939
• ISBN-13: 978-0807533932
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #692,166 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over in the Meadow....., June 6, 2003

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

"Over in the meadow, it was springtime when.../came a bride and a groom and their best friends 10./"And now..." said the couple. "A house!" said the 10./So they planned through the year, and when spring came again..." Inspired by Olive Wadsworth's classic poem Over In The Meadow, author Shutta Crum's creative and fun-filled picture book combines learning numbers and house building. Soon the countdown begins as first 9 construction workers, then 8 masons, and 7 carpenters show up with tools and heavy equipment to begin the job. Then 6 well drillers, 5 roofers, 4 plumbers, 3 electricians, and 2 painters complete the house. Last but not least Inspector Number 1 arrives. "So he looked and he listed. Everything was done!" Ms Crum's exuberant rhythmic, rhyming text is engaging, and complemented by Paige Billin-Frye's bold, bright, and playful collage artwork. A perfect selection for circle or story time, The House In The Meadow is a charming, clever sing-along, and preschoolers will revel in all the counting and building fun. "Over in the meadow, by the house, in the sun,/waved the wife and the husband and their new little one./"Home!" said the couple. "You're home,"said everyone./Then they lived in the meadow,/in their house that was done!"

5.0 out of 5 stars A nightly read!, June 14, 2007

By	A. Frank (SEATTLE, Washington USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My two year old loves this book. We read it every night (It's too short to be annoying for me). I think it's broadening his world, helping him to see the works behind his own home. He asks questions now about where the water goes after his bath and why the lights turn on. I can reference the book in my answers to his satisfaction. It also compliments his growing interest in trucks, tools and machinery. Very nice twist on an old standard, for toddlers and preschoolers.
(In contrast, another favorite book we often read adjacent to this one is "Henry Builds a Cabin," by DB Johnson)

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! My son loves it!, September 29, 2005

By	mommy (New York) - See all my reviews

We recently got this book out of the library and my son loved it so much that we ordered it, so he has it to keep. The book shipped when it was supposed to and arrived as such, also!