Monday, May 19, 2008

THE LITTLE HOUSE, by Virginia Lee Burton

I want to share a very special book, and dedicate it to dear Rue, who is suffering from a terrible case of the butterflies. She must first sell her current home, so that she may continue her love affair with the farmhouse of her dreams. I don't blame her, I'd do it in a heartbeat! I just know that the farmhouse is meant for Rue and her family, and it anxiously awaits their arrival!



I first found this children's book in 2002 at a garage sale. It was marked a quarter. I picked it up, read it, and cried. It was rather embarassing! The person hosting the sale felt so bad for me, she told me to just take the book. Well, I couldn't do that! So I gave her 25 cents, and off I went with my new favorite story.




The book begins by telling the reader that the little house was built way out in the country. The man who built her said that she'd live to see the great-great-grandchildren's great-great grandchildren living in her.


But over time, the big city grew and grew~ stretching all the way out into the country. The little house sat empty, the big city looming over her. She was scared and neglected. "She looked shabby...though she was just as good a house as ever underneath." She just wanted to be lived in and loved again.


Then one day the great-great granddaughter of the builder came along and said, "That Little House looks just like the Little House my grandmother lived in when she was a little girl, only that Little House was way out in the country on a hill covered with daisies and apple trees growing around".

I'll leave the ending up to you, but I'm sure you've guessed what happens! A true treasure of a book, and I couldn't reccomend it more. I adore the illustrations. Plus, it's first copyright was in 1942, so that makes it special to me as well.
We're all rooting for you Rue!! And here's to all of the poor old homes that need loving families to restore them...

10 comments:

Jaede said...

Oh, it made me cry too. What a wonderful story. And all the best to Rue.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Hey, pretty girl! Thanks so much for the sweet birthday wishes!

This is a neat story, you are very creative with your blogging, keep up the good work!!

Katherine

Rue said...

I found the book Nikki! It's not old, but they still publish it and they had it at Amazon.com :)

Thank you so much for posting this. I can't wait to read this story!!

BIG hugs,
rue :)

Life on the Edge said...

The children's book that can still make me cry is one called, "I'll love you forever" about a mother who keeps tucking her son into bed, even after he is a grown man. It is just hilarious in some parts because she breaks into his house to do this for him, but in the end, the mother is frail and old and he goes to her home and tucks her into bed. That's the part where I just lost it.

The house book sounds so cute.

Grand Life said...

How can I not love a blogger that loves "Gone with the Wind", is named Scarlett and her favorite childs book is "The Little House". I grew up in a frame house that looks just like The Little House. It is on a hill and the town has grown up around us. There is a beautiful song that I think goes hand in hand with the book. Bette sings it on "Bette Midler sings the Peggy Lee Songbook." It's called "The Folks who Live on the Hill". I'm going to have it sung at my Mothers funeral when she pass's. I hope you have a great week.
Judy

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Thanks folks! Rue, so glad you found the book! Bonnie I'll have to hunt for that title! And Judy, I'll have to search for that song, sounds wonderful!
Nikki

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Ooo, I found it sung by Peggy Lee! It is a beautiful song, and I'm sure Bette's version is just as lovely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN2W-EWESCE&feature=related
Nikki

. said...

Aw, this was my hubby's favorite book as a child. His father was a building contractor so you can imagine a little boy's interest in the importance of a good home.

We still have his original copy, it's a treasure!

Random said...

Hi. I've been trying to find a book I used to read as a kid. This one sounds awfully similar, but I am not sure. I do remember at some point the house was in between two snooty mansions where The Uppington's and The Downington's lived. Is this the same book?

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hi Random~
This book does not have the snooty mansions. However, the Disney cartoon version does. I don't know if that is what you're thinking of, or if their names are Uppington and Downington tho. If Disney put out a book version it's probably called something else due to copyrights. Best wishes on your search!
Here's the Disney cartoon~
http://rosescarlett.blogspot.com/2008/05/little-house-part-two-lookie-what-i.html