HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Auntie’s House
Author: Dawn Aldrich
Illustrator: Michael Aldrich
Publisher: Halo Publishing International, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-9797429-7-2
Related websites: www.DawnAldrich.com (author), www.halopublishing.com (publisher)
Language level: 1 (nothing objectionable)
Reading level: Ages Pre-K through 3rd grade
Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com
Aldrich, Dawn. Auntie’s House (published in 2009 by Halo Publishing International). Do you have a favorite aunt with whom you like to stay? Or if you are older, did you have one when you were young? A little girl’s mommy is going to work, so the little girl must stay to Auntie’s house for the day. Together she and her aunt go upstairs to where the toys are and find books, blocks, trains, trucks, and pretty tea cups. Next, they go back downstairs and have a tea party. Then they go outside to play on the swings and the slide. When they get tired, they go back inside and play with the blocks and a train. After that they climb into Auntie’s favorite rocking chair where Auntie reads "The Three Little Bears" and other books, "one book and then another." Finally, the little girl begins to wonder where Mommy is, but it is time for her to take a nap. What will she find when she awakens from her nap?
Author Dawn Aldrich uses a fun, rhythmic text to tell about the adventures of a child at an aunt’s house from the child’s perspective. These adventures are accompanied with whimsical, full color illustrations by Michael Aldrich, who is Dawn’s nephew. The basic theme of Auntie’s House is trust. There is the child’s trust that her mother will come back at the end of the day. Also, there is the mother’s trust in Auntie to take care of the child. In answer to every question from the child, the aunt replies, "Of course little one. Let’s have some fun!" What a wonderful way to help a child learn how to adjust to staying with a relative while a parent is away! Children will find it entertaining, and parents will like its reinforcement of strong family ties. I say that it’s a keeper!
