Synopsis
There was a wee woman who lived in a shoe with her many wee children (their tiny pets, too). Six crammed in a bed, tangled up in a heap. Some wrangled, some dangled. Jack groaned, “I can’t sleep.”
What’s a mother to do? Why, find a bigger home, of course! Bouncy, enthusiastic Jill leads the way, but brother Jack warns, “There are giants out there! They will eat us for snacks!’’
Playful verse and whimsical pictures pull readers into this miniature family’s glorious adventure full of brave actions, comic mishaps, and the joy of discovering a perfect – if surprising – new home in a dollhouse.
Children's Literature
Did you ever wonder what became of the old woman who lived in a shoe? Well, when she could no longer take all the pushing and shoving and scrambling for seats and cramming six tightly in each bed, she decided it was time to move. Mama, the kids and, all their pets willingly set off to find a new home. All, that is, except for Jack. He warns of giants who will munch on them for snacks. Readers follow the merry band bouncing from a clothesline, sneaking past a snake, barely missing a snarling rat, and trying out a barrel and a birdhouse before ending up in the perfect place. A roomy dollhouse owned by a welcoming little girl suits them all just fine. Taking the familiar rhyme and expanding it to a tale filled with drama, humor, and excitement works well here, although it seems a tad too long. The full-page drawings are as spirited as the old woman and her children, giving the visual appeal needed to carry the story. This book may not be a first choice and children may not beg to "read it again," but it is a pleasant little diversion. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey