Review: Little House

Little House is a powerful, poignant and empathetic story that speaks such heartfelt truth about home, family and hope.

Juno doesn’t want to stay in the countryside with her grandfather for the summer as she’d rather be spending it in the city, enjoying time spent with her friends.  She doesn’t really understand why her mother has to leave her even when she explains to Juno that she wants to help children who have lost their homes and family. 

Whilst Grandpa is spending time in his workshop, Juno explores his house and, in the attic, discovers a homeless, abandoned family of dolls and a neglected little house.  She immediately feels a connection with this lost family and a responsibility towards them.  Can she make them a new home and, at the same time, learn to understand and accept the choices her mother has made?

This may be a short story but, my goodness, it is a much-needed call to empathise with all those who have been torn from their homes in whatever circumstances.  Through Juno’s epiphany, she comes to understand the importance of home and caring for the plight of others.  This is a story that offers so much opportunity to open discussion about what makes a home and the importance of actively caring for others. I think the metaphor of the doll house and family is a brilliant way to sensitively engage children in empathising with what is happening to children and families in many places in the world. 

Juno goes through a turmoil of emotions (including anger, resentment, fear and loneliness) as she moves from feeling powerless to feeling empowered through her desire to help, and the strong, empathetic feelings this engenders.  Her grandfather’s gentle, kind nature and his practical and emotional support is just what Juno needs as she works through her own changing feelings.

This is a beautifully told, thought-provoking novella with a message that brought tears, brought anger, and brought hope.  It has had such an impact on me as an adult reader, and I have no doubt will be a story that speaks to the hearts of younger readers.   

The full-and-partial page illustrations are absolutely stunning and really express the importance of home, family and love in such a warm and tender way. 

This is the author’s third novella for Barrington Stoke and is another triumph of heartfelt writing carrying important messages that will encourage empathy and discussion.  I can’t recommend this highly enough and think it is a story that should be shared in every school.

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages.  This one is for ages 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.