Blog Tour Review: Too Many Visitors for One Little House

 

I am pleased to be a part of the blog tour for Too Many Visitors for One Little House, that is being put on by Pump Up Your Book Promotions.

  

Title:  Too Many Visitors for One Little House

Author:  Susan Chodakiewitz

Illustrator:  Veronica Walsh

Review Copy Provided by:  Booksicals

About the Book:  The crabby neighbors of El Camino Street are not very happy when cousins, aunts, uncles, and grannies arrive for a big noisy reunion at the house of the new family on the block.  

About the Author:  Susan Chodakiewitz is a writer, composer and producer. She is the founder of Booksicals Children’s Books- Encouraging the love of reading through the arts. Through her company Booksicals she has created the Booksicals on Stage literacy program which is currently presenting musical performances of the picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House at schools, libraries, and special events.

Susan lives in Los Angeles in a lively household filled with music, three sons, a husband, a Dalmatian and lots of visitors. Susan loves picture books and when she wrote a musical based on one of her favorites, she realized it was time to start writing her own picture books. Too Many Visitors for One Little House is Susan’s debut book. You can visit her website at www.booksicals.com. 

My Review:  This is a cute book for kids.  They will enjoy the vibrant, colorful illustrations, as well as the story.  I can see teachers using this book for counting activities as the number of family members keeps growing.

There is a message in this book, and I like to use books like this in the classroom.  The message is one of inclusion, or the feeling of being included.  The neighbors on El Camino Street don't like pets, big families, noise, you name it, but when the new family moves in and they have a family reunion at their house things change.  The neighbors notice what is going on, and as much as they say they don't like it, they long to be a part of it.  Isn't that the way we feel sometimes?  I know I've had kids in my classroom say they don't like something, when they really do, once they see how much fun the others are having.

This is a sweet book that I can see children asking for over and over again.  4 out of 5 stars for Too Many Visitors for One Little House.  You can find activities and more to go along with the book at Booksicals, including this recipe for Nanny's strudel:

Nanny’s Strudel Recipe

You will need for the DOUGH:

2 1/2 c. sifted flour

Pinch of salt

1/2 c. oil

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tbsp. sugar

3 tsp. boiling water

Stir dry ingredients. Mix water with oil to make dough. Knead well.

Divide dough into 5 parts. Roll each part very thin between wax paper. Place dough in greased pan, layer by layer, putting filling between each layer and leaving the top plain. Sprinkle the top with oil.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

You will need for the FILLING:

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 c. chopped nuts

Raisins (optional)

1/2 c. sugar

2 apples, cut fine

Mix together and spread between layers.

Note: If preferred, five little individual strudels may be made. Bake as usual, just until lightly browned.