The House of Grass and Sky

Joining a growing shelf of picture books about dwellings that witness generational change, this quiet story by Ray (The Friendship Book) stars an old white saltbox house that has long been occupied by families. In monoprinting, ink, watercolor, and collage, Goodale (Under the Lilacs) creates its builders, a white turn-of-the-century family with children and a black-and-white sheepdog, and offers snapshots of later occupants from whom "the house learned about babies being born and babies growing up... about bedtime stories and birthday parties." Now, though, the house stands empty. Suspense builds as families come to look, then leave. Lyrical lines that convey a sense of calm linger over the house's loneliness; paint peels, and ghostly silhouettes of imagined children run over the lawn. Feathery spreads full of changing grass and leaves reflect the home's consciousness of seasonal change: "The house welcomed back the green time and every green smell, too." Most of the book's attention is on time slowly elapsing, a facet that builds carefully to fulfillment, involving a family of color, that radiates forward and backward in time. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Rick Margolis, Rising Bear Literary. Illustrator's agent: Lori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary. (Apr.)

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An old house takes center stage, waiting for just the right family to move in. . .Young readers/listeners will appreciate this sweet, compassionate story and be charmed by the notion of a house serving as a protagonist; this tale should spark discussions and generate memories about kids' own homes. . .The soft, delicate, airy illustrations, rendered partially in muted watercolors and ink, are atmospheric and suffused with nostalgia and coziness...A reassuring conversation starter about the special connections we feel to our homes.
—Kirkus Reviews

Long ago, a family built a house in the countryside. . .After a new family moves in and begins making new memories, the house becomes a home once again...Goodale contributes lively, impressionistic illustrations created with ink, watercolor, monoprint technique, and digital collage, evocatively depicting the house, some of its residents, the verdant meadow, and the night sky. This appealing picture book offers an imaginative perspective on moving.
—Booklist

Joining a growing shelf of picture books about dwellings that witness generational change, this quiet story by Ray (The Friendship Book) stars an old white saltbox house that has long been occupied by families. . . Lyrical lines that convey a sense of calm linger over the house's loneliness. . .Most of the book's attention is on time slowly elapsing, a facet that builds carefully to fulfillment, involving a family of color, that radiates forward and backward in time
—Publishers Weekly

This picture book, lovely in tone and illustration, personifies a country house which has seen numerous families come and go over the years. . . . The passing of seasons and of years are shown with soft, luscious illustrations which could tell the story without the words. However, the beautiful, descriptive language is not to be missed. . . . When teaching literary elements, this title could be used even in middle grades as an example of personification and figurative language
—School Library Connection