A New House For Smudge

by Miriam Moss, Lynne Chapman (Illustrations)

Plop, plop, plop goes the rain into the bucket in Smudge and Stripe's house. There are holes in the roof and there's just not enough room anymore. Time to move! But, Smudge isn't sure she wants to. "This is my home.and there's nothing wrong with it," she stubbornly insists. Will a pretty garden, with a real river running through it--and maybe even a boat--change Smudge's mind? A tale that reassures even though saying goodbye is sad, new beginnings can be fun.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Miriam is an award winning author of 75 children's books, both information books and fiction. Her fiction includes picture books, novelty books and poetry, and recently short stories for the adult market. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.

Miriam has had wide experience of working creatively both with children in schools and libraries, and with adults. She offers lively, innovative large group performances, talks, interactive storytelling sessions, readings, seminars, creative writing and poetry workshops.

She was born in England but also grew up in Africa, The Middle East and China. She taught English for eight years in the UK and Kenya before becoming a writer. She now lives in East Sussex.

Reviews

[cassia Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New House by Miriam Moss and Lynne Chapman is a picture book for children between three and nine years old. The Book was published by Gullane Children’s Book in 2001. The book tells the story of Smudge and Stripe looking for a new house to leave since their own is very damaged and there is just not room for them to live. It is a tale that reassures children that even though it is sad to say goodbyes, new beginnings can be fun. The text is very well written and has an interesting story plot. The illustration has a crayon and pixelated features that brings style to the book. This book is great choice for children who are moving out of their homes or tend to resist and suffer over changes. It can be a great book for the classroom as well as it can be used to talk about transition from kindergarten to first grade for example. My rate for this book is five because it is a great reading and I also very useful in the classroom. I would use this book in my classroom to talk about the subjects mentioned above and others such as feelings and how to deal with them.

[Dorien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grote tekst op de volle, drukke en kleurrijke tekeningen, zorgt voor weinig ademruimte.
Veel 'zegt Smoezel' en 'zegt Dassel'.
Niet echt duidelijk waar het verhaal naartoe gaat. Geeft niet echt een boodschap mee, maar kan wel herkenbaar zijn als gewoon 'een verhaaltje' en over verhuizen, voor wat jongere kinderen. (4-jarigen?)

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smudge the mouse doesn’t want to move, even though her current house is in disrepair. Stripe the badger gently helps her with the transition to a new home, which she comes to love in her own time. Very reassuring to read with a child who might be sad or worried about moving.

[Emkoshka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as part of a training session on working with children who have been affected by family violence. The roof leaks, the house is ramshackle; time to leave comfort behind and find something bigger and better. Alas, not many children fleeing family violence will end up in a gorgeous house with a river and boat out the back.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute picture book about moving