For families who’ve spent getaways by the ocean, seashell hunting is a childhood pastime. While parents wind down in their beach chairs, kiddos are quick to ditch the sandcastles and dash off to the shoreline and fill their buckets with colorful and uniquely shaped treasures. As they admire their discoveries at the end of a long day of shelling, they may wonder about the creatures who were once housed in the beautiful encasements.
In Little Houses, award-winning and best-selling author Kevin Henkes brings this astonishment to life through lyrical writing, coupled with striking artwork by acclaimed painter Laura Dronzek. With elements of nature, family, wonder and the ocean, the picture book is a great choice for young readers, as it encourages family sharing of nostalgic childhood memories.
Packed with warmth and heart, Little Houses makes for a great addition to your child’s bedtime collection.
Relive your golden era with this wondrous book!
The Story
A reflective young, pigtailed girl visits her grandparents during the summer and spends her days collecting seashells at the beach. As she searches for prizes that wash up ashore, she finds herself wondering about the creatures who used to call the shells their home, the other hidden critters that live in the sea, and the mysteries of the world–that are much bigger than she is and larger than the little house her grandparents stay in.
Perfect for readers aged four to eight, Henkes' picture book is filled with emotion, a charming multigenerational relationship, and the wonders of nature that exist outside of tiny bubbles. Little Houses is a wonderful staple for classrooms and at home.
What Others Have to Say About Little Houses
“Henkes and Dronzek create a story about a child . . . whose visit to a grandparents’ small beach house allows time for wondering and questioning. . . . The grandparents’ quiet, affirming presences allow their grandchild space to contemplate. . . . For now, though, the child treasures a collection of shells, little houses. Henkes writes with quiet grace that avoids preciousness, while Dronzek’s acrylic seashore-centered spreads capture one person encountering the natural world with curiosity and reverence.” - Publishers Weekly
“Curiosity and wonder about nature are explored, this time through a family trip. . . . As they walk the beach, the child studies the shells and considers the creatures that once lived in them. Vibrant acrylic illustrations depict these little houses in multiple colors, sizes, and shapes. . . . Her grandparents encourage her to explore her surroundings, inspiring her to want to learn more. . . . Returning to her own house, the girl takes some of the treasures along, understanding that she, too, is part of the wonderful wider world.” - Booklist
“In this poetic, reassuring picture book meditation, a girl is swept up in wonderment after her grandmother reminds her that the shells on the beach are tiny houses.” - Shelf Awareness
About The Author
Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors—one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller—and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Sun Flower Lion, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit him at kevinhenkes.com!
Get your copy of Little Houses now and share your most prized memories of your summertime days!
Need some fresh ideas?
Related reads
