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The Blue House

Author Phoebe Wahl
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
9.38"W x 9.31"H x 0.36"D   | 12 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Aug 11, 2020 | 40 Pages | 978-1-9848-9336-9
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD520L | Fountas & Pinnell M
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In the tradition of Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House comes a heartfelt story about a father and son learning to accept the new while honoring and celebrating the old.

For as long as he can remember, Leo has lived in the blue house with his dad, but lately the neighborhood is changing. People are leaving, houses are being knocked down, and shiny new buildings are going up in their place. When Leo and his dad are forced to leave, they aren't happy about it. They howl and rage and dance out their feelings. When the time comes, they leave the blue house behind--there was never any choice, not really--but little by little, they find a way to keep its memory alive in their new home.
  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Washington State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    Pacific Northwest Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
Winner of The Horn Book's 2021 Robin Smith Picture Book Prize
One of Publishers Weekly's Best Picture Books of 2020
An NPR Best Book of the Year

PRAISE FOR The Blue House:

“Wahl makes both characters distinctive and sympathetic, and devotes loving attention to every spread.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review 
 
“An absolute treasure for anyone who has ever moved.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
“An affecting story about loss and starting over.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“An emotionally resonant picture book.” —Booklist, starred review

“This powerfully relevant, moving portrayal of a loving single-parent family during a period of unexpected change and transition is a must-have.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“The Blue House is an immensely satisfying picture book about a family acclimating to a big change.” —BookPage

“This is a picture book that rewards repeat readings and will doubtlessly stay in readers’ memories.” --The Horn Book

“Refreshing. . . . This is a pragmatic alternative to Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House, and kids will be glad to see that Leo and his dad negotiate their changing neighborhood. Make sure audiences get a look at opening and closing endpapers to see where Leo’s move took him.” —The Bulletin
PHOEBE WAHL's work focuses on themes of comfort, nostalgia and intimacy with nature. She grew up unschooled in Washington State, and credits her free spirited childhood in the Northwest for much of her inspiration and work ethic. She works in a variety of mediums, from watercolor and collage to fabric sculpture. Phoebe graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration and currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. She is the award-winning author and illustrator of Sonya's Chickens, Backyard Fairies and The Blue House. View titles by Phoebe Wahl

About

In the tradition of Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House comes a heartfelt story about a father and son learning to accept the new while honoring and celebrating the old.

For as long as he can remember, Leo has lived in the blue house with his dad, but lately the neighborhood is changing. People are leaving, houses are being knocked down, and shiny new buildings are going up in their place. When Leo and his dad are forced to leave, they aren't happy about it. They howl and rage and dance out their feelings. When the time comes, they leave the blue house behind--there was never any choice, not really--but little by little, they find a way to keep its memory alive in their new home.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2022
    Washington State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
  • SHORTLIST | 2021
    Pacific Northwest Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year

Praise

Winner of The Horn Book's 2021 Robin Smith Picture Book Prize
One of Publishers Weekly's Best Picture Books of 2020
An NPR Best Book of the Year

PRAISE FOR The Blue House:

“Wahl makes both characters distinctive and sympathetic, and devotes loving attention to every spread.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review 
 
“An absolute treasure for anyone who has ever moved.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
“An affecting story about loss and starting over.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“An emotionally resonant picture book.” —Booklist, starred review

“This powerfully relevant, moving portrayal of a loving single-parent family during a period of unexpected change and transition is a must-have.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“The Blue House is an immensely satisfying picture book about a family acclimating to a big change.” —BookPage

“This is a picture book that rewards repeat readings and will doubtlessly stay in readers’ memories.” --The Horn Book

“Refreshing. . . . This is a pragmatic alternative to Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House, and kids will be glad to see that Leo and his dad negotiate their changing neighborhood. Make sure audiences get a look at opening and closing endpapers to see where Leo’s move took him.” —The Bulletin

Author

PHOEBE WAHL's work focuses on themes of comfort, nostalgia and intimacy with nature. She grew up unschooled in Washington State, and credits her free spirited childhood in the Northwest for much of her inspiration and work ethic. She works in a variety of mediums, from watercolor and collage to fabric sculpture. Phoebe graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration and currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. She is the award-winning author and illustrator of Sonya's Chickens, Backyard Fairies and The Blue House. View titles by Phoebe Wahl

Other Books by this Author

  • Little Witch Hazel
    Little Witch Hazel
    A Year in the Forest
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-0-7352-6489-2
    $19.99 US
    Hardcover
    Tundra Books
    Sep 21, 2021
    Age 4-8 years
  • Backyard Fairies
    Backyard Fairies
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-1-5247-1527-4
    $18.99 US
    Hardcover
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Mar 06, 2018
    Age 3-7 years
  • Sonya's Chickens
    Sonya's Chickens
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-1-77049-790-0
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Tundra Books
    Jan 09, 2018
    Age 4-8 years
  • Little Witch Hazel
    Little Witch Hazel
    A Year in the Forest
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-0-7352-6489-2
    $19.99 US
    Hardcover
    Tundra Books
    Sep 21, 2021
    Age 4-8 years
  • Backyard Fairies
    Backyard Fairies
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-1-5247-1527-4
    $18.99 US
    Hardcover
    Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Mar 06, 2018
    Age 3-7 years
  • Sonya's Chickens
    Sonya's Chickens
    Phoebe Wahl
    978-1-77049-790-0
    $8.99 US
    Paperback
    Tundra Books
    Jan 09, 2018
    Age 4-8 years
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