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This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1936
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About the author
Kate Seredy
74 books95 followersSeredy (Serédy Kató) was a gifted writer and illustrator, born in Hungary, who moved to the United States in 1922.
Seredy received a diploma to teach art from the Academy of Arts in Budapest. During World War I Seredy travelled to Paris and worked as a combat nurse. After the war she illustrated several books in Hungary.
She is best known for The Good Master, written in 1935, and for the Newbery Award winner, The White Stag.
Seredy received a diploma to teach art from the Academy of Arts in Budapest. During World War I Seredy travelled to Paris and worked as a combat nurse. After the war she illustrated several books in Hungary.
She is best known for The Good Master, written in 1935, and for the Newbery Award winner, The White Stag.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 10, 2019
A quick, interesting book that has a few levels. One is a family-type story of young Gail's visit to her relatives in northern New Jersey (called Hopkins Corners in the book, but apparently just Hopkins Corner really). She meets some cousins - nothing extraordinary.
The second is a tour through history, starting in 1636 when the Dutch immigrants departed for New Amsterdam and then built the house now owned by Uncle George. We get some national history as well as family history as we go. It passes through 1664, 1688, 1691 telling of family events and linking them to the house. Then it jumps to 1768, 1775-7, 1783. Lastly it connects the 1860s with the present (1930s). The message seems to be that the past is present.
The third is quieter and more philosophical - this is where the title comes in: "Houses and trees and rivers can talk if you know how to listen." It's about appreciating and being in touch with nature and one's surroundings. There are large portions devoted to animals, both domesticated and wild.
I'm not sure it quite works, taken all together. The ending, in particular, doesn't give enough of a sense of completion.
The illustrations are not Seredy's best. There are many of them and they seem to be there to show off her skill and versatility (some of them are meant to be done by Uncle George to illustrate the historical tales). But they don't have the unified character that one finds in something like The White Stag or the two Kate books. I feel like she could have done a better job on them a few years later - her Tenement Tree has the same kind of variety in a more polished form.
The second is a tour through history, starting in 1636 when the Dutch immigrants departed for New Amsterdam and then built the house now owned by Uncle George. We get some national history as well as family history as we go. It passes through 1664, 1688, 1691 telling of family events and linking them to the house. Then it jumps to 1768, 1775-7, 1783. Lastly it connects the 1860s with the present (1930s). The message seems to be that the past is present.
The third is quieter and more philosophical - this is where the title comes in: "Houses and trees and rivers can talk if you know how to listen." It's about appreciating and being in touch with nature and one's surroundings. There are large portions devoted to animals, both domesticated and wild.
I'm not sure it quite works, taken all together. The ending, in particular, doesn't give enough of a sense of completion.
The illustrations are not Seredy's best. There are many of them and they seem to be there to show off her skill and versatility (some of them are meant to be done by Uncle George to illustrate the historical tales). But they don't have the unified character that one finds in something like The White Stag or the two Kate books. I feel like she could have done a better job on them a few years later - her Tenement Tree has the same kind of variety in a more polished form.
November 12, 2019
When a bus stops in Hopkins Corners, New Jersey, the whole town wonders who has arrived. It turns out to be young Eleanor Abigail, better known as Gail, who has come to visit her uncle George. Over the course of her week-long stay, Gail listens to old family stories about the history of Uncle George's old Dutch house and how it was built.
Though this is definitely not Kate Seredy's best-written or most sophisticated book, it is still quite charming. The story shows a strong appreciation for American history and family ancestry as well as the value of passing stories down from one generation to the next. I can imagine this book inspiring young readers to ask questions about the history of their own homes, or of old houses that have been in their families. The title of the book also has a double meaning. It's not just about listening to an older relative telling tales of the past; it's also about keeping an ear out for the stories held by old houses, trees, rivers, and the world around us.
Though this book is difficult to find (I only had it in my house for one night, and that was thanks to inter-library loan), it would make a great introduction to the idea of history for an early elementary school student. I wish I had been able to read it to my own 5-year-old before it had to be returned. This is also an enjoyable read for fans of Seredy, as it is only her second book, but it seems to predict the themes of history, family, heritage, and storytelling that are important to her later titles.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
Though this is definitely not Kate Seredy's best-written or most sophisticated book, it is still quite charming. The story shows a strong appreciation for American history and family ancestry as well as the value of passing stories down from one generation to the next. I can imagine this book inspiring young readers to ask questions about the history of their own homes, or of old houses that have been in their families. The title of the book also has a double meaning. It's not just about listening to an older relative telling tales of the past; it's also about keeping an ear out for the stories held by old houses, trees, rivers, and the world around us.
Though this book is difficult to find (I only had it in my house for one night, and that was thanks to inter-library loan), it would make a great introduction to the idea of history for an early elementary school student. I wish I had been able to read it to my own 5-year-old before it had to be returned. This is also an enjoyable read for fans of Seredy, as it is only her second book, but it seems to predict the themes of history, family, heritage, and storytelling that are important to her later titles.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
November 26, 2023
I think this is my favorite Kate Seredy book after The Chestry Oak. It's engaging, gentle, and heartwarming. It's no surprise that the author's illustrations perfectly capture the story and its mood. I hope that this one will be reprinted in its exact 1936 format and will be available to all.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews