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The Big Adventures of Tiny House
The Big Adventures of Tiny House is a story about an old farmhouse that gets recycled into something new: TINY, a little house with a big heart - and WHEELS! With the help of Big Truck and lots of friends they meet along the way, Tiny travels the country to discover the true meaning of home.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 25, 2017
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430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 11, 2017
5★
Get your orders in now! Due to be published at the end of April, but worth promoting early so teachers and librarians can get copies to read before the North American summer holidays and the road trips that many families will take.
Cute little picture book with all kinds of messages about peace and goodwill wrapped up in a road trip hitting a few highlights across the United States. Home is where the heart is, and sometimes home moves around and has lots of different neighbours.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would buy it in a minute, especially for a classroom setting. The rhyming leaves a little to be desired, but kids aren’t going to care. The illustrations are bright and inclusive, a little something for everybody.
It begins much as the classic The Little House does, with the city encroaching on a tiny house on a farm with apple trees. Rather than move the house to the country, like The Little House, a group of people decide to transform it. Note the different kinds and colours of the many hands below.
Many hands help rebuild Tiny House into a trailer / caravan
They give Tiny wheels but . . . oops, he can’t move! Wait! Here comes Big Truck, and she not only has wheels, she has a trailer hitch! [Note: Tiny House is HE, Big Truck is SHE.]
Tiny House and Big Truck. She has come to help him move!
And . . . they’re off! They meet another tiny SHINY house, familiar to all American holiday drivers.
Tiny House and Shiny (the Airstream) overlooking the Grand Canyon
As with Pixar's Cars movies, it’s the vehicles who are the characters, although we do see people in the campgrounds outside and on lakes. They hit taco stands, desert gas stations, meet all kinds of vehicles and houses and attend a jamboree!
The Tiny House Jamboree!
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and Inner Flower Child Books for the preview copy. I think this will become a firm favourite of lots of people.
Get your orders in now! Due to be published at the end of April, but worth promoting early so teachers and librarians can get copies to read before the North American summer holidays and the road trips that many families will take.
Cute little picture book with all kinds of messages about peace and goodwill wrapped up in a road trip hitting a few highlights across the United States. Home is where the heart is, and sometimes home moves around and has lots of different neighbours.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would buy it in a minute, especially for a classroom setting. The rhyming leaves a little to be desired, but kids aren’t going to care. The illustrations are bright and inclusive, a little something for everybody.
It begins much as the classic The Little House does, with the city encroaching on a tiny house on a farm with apple trees. Rather than move the house to the country, like The Little House, a group of people decide to transform it. Note the different kinds and colours of the many hands below.
Many hands help rebuild Tiny House into a trailer / caravan
They give Tiny wheels but . . . oops, he can’t move! Wait! Here comes Big Truck, and she not only has wheels, she has a trailer hitch! [Note: Tiny House is HE, Big Truck is SHE.]
Tiny House and Big Truck. She has come to help him move!
And . . . they’re off! They meet another tiny SHINY house, familiar to all American holiday drivers.
Tiny House and Shiny (the Airstream) overlooking the Grand Canyon
As with Pixar's Cars movies, it’s the vehicles who are the characters, although we do see people in the campgrounds outside and on lakes. They hit taco stands, desert gas stations, meet all kinds of vehicles and houses and attend a jamboree!
The Tiny House Jamboree!
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and Inner Flower Child Books for the preview copy. I think this will become a firm favourite of lots of people.
May 31, 2017
Cute story highlighting less conventional homes, with a loving message. The illustrations are nice. The rhyme sometimes just feels not right.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2017
What a fantastic book! I think the third culture kids that I work with would find much value in the message.
February 16, 2017
"He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn't a place.
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
Home was a friendship and singing and a full happy heart -
it was sharing good meals and where you hung up your art."
What a wonderful book! I adored this exploration of the meaning of home. Is a home just something made of bricks and mortar, that has to remain rooted in one place? Or is it the place your heart feels most happy? Tiny House examines the notion of home as he takes himself on the road across America, visiting some amazing places and meeting charming characters along the way.
I love the roadtrip idea behind this book. My husband and I love the US and have gone on numerous trips through some its most beautiful States. Last summer we took our baby boy, then six months, on a roadtrip through California, where he saw the Redwoods, just like Tiny House! I love that this book recounts some of the same adventures he experienced and I can't wait to read it to him.
With beautiful illustrations, a lovely rhyming scheme, a fun and sweet story and some cleverly-inserted life lessons about recycling, reading, friendship and organic living, this book would be a gorgeous little addition to your little one's library.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. The material above consists entirely of my own opinion.
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
Home was a friendship and singing and a full happy heart -
it was sharing good meals and where you hung up your art."
What a wonderful book! I adored this exploration of the meaning of home. Is a home just something made of bricks and mortar, that has to remain rooted in one place? Or is it the place your heart feels most happy? Tiny House examines the notion of home as he takes himself on the road across America, visiting some amazing places and meeting charming characters along the way.
I love the roadtrip idea behind this book. My husband and I love the US and have gone on numerous trips through some its most beautiful States. Last summer we took our baby boy, then six months, on a roadtrip through California, where he saw the Redwoods, just like Tiny House! I love that this book recounts some of the same adventures he experienced and I can't wait to read it to him.
With beautiful illustrations, a lovely rhyming scheme, a fun and sweet story and some cleverly-inserted life lessons about recycling, reading, friendship and organic living, this book would be a gorgeous little addition to your little one's library.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. The material above consists entirely of my own opinion.
April 7, 2017
I love everything about this book! I love the message of the book that is so life affirming, I love the artwork including the dawg racing down main street with a child on a skateboard in tow. I love the bookstore with "Once Upon a Time" on the door and the cat. It's brilliant and beautiful. You're going to love reading this book to all your friends, from the little bittiest to the great biggiest!
February 17, 2017
Love, love, love! This book has everything... wonderful illustrations, a solid and smooth rhyming rhythm, a message, and a geography lesson.
"He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn't a place.
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
Home was a friendship and singing and a full happy heart -
it was sharing good meals and where you hung up your art."
The story touches on Recycle-Reduce-Reuse with the tiny house being made from pieces of an abandoned farmhouse. It shows different types of homes on wheels and also takes the reader on a trip around the USA; stopping at attractions in different states. It talks about family and community, and what "home" truly means.
I loved how it was like a stepping stone between a traditional picture book and a children's chapter book. What a gem of a story!
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgally, in exchange for and honest review.
I will be reviewing this title on my children's book blog and will add the link when it is posted.
"He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn't a place.
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
Home was a friendship and singing and a full happy heart -
it was sharing good meals and where you hung up your art."
The story touches on Recycle-Reduce-Reuse with the tiny house being made from pieces of an abandoned farmhouse. It shows different types of homes on wheels and also takes the reader on a trip around the USA; stopping at attractions in different states. It talks about family and community, and what "home" truly means.
I loved how it was like a stepping stone between a traditional picture book and a children's chapter book. What a gem of a story!
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgally, in exchange for and honest review.
I will be reviewing this title on my children's book blog and will add the link when it is posted.
March 12, 2017
YES! It's time for the tiny house craze to come to the tiny people market! Love this fun adventure of a tiny house through the nation. Heartwarming and joyous, teaches there is no one place to be home
April 16, 2017
Cute picture book for children that traces the journey of a tiny house. Lovely illustrations, sparkling text and a charming story. I'd like to read more of Tiny's adventures!
March 9, 2017
It reminded me of Virginia Burton's Little House book. This book was kind of a part 2, to me, of that book! The house gets reduced down to a tiny house through salvaging, then it gets to travel all over the country before settling in a nice organic farm community. Then it leaves again... How fun!
February 24, 2017
This book is destined to be a classic, and a favorite of children and their parents. The illustrations are so beautiful--colorful, warm and charming. The story, written in verse, is whimsical and touching. The message--that home can be anywhere you make it--is conveyed cleverly but is not at all sappy like many children's books can be. The mood and images in the book are frankly, a breath of fresh air, and celebrate the amazing places, whether in nature, or in bustling towns, that truly make America the diverse and majestic country that it is. It makes you want to hit the road to discover and explore all the adventures that are out there.
The hero of the story, Tiny, makes the book relevant for today's audience. He models the "less is more" philosophy (about our excessive consumerism) and is a champion for the environment. However, these values and ideas are not presented in a dogmatic way--they come across as honest and worthwhile--not preachy.
Although "Tiny House" feels like it could be a companion to great children's books like "The Little House", it is actually very timely and sheds a light on the tiny house movement.
The hero of the story, Tiny, makes the book relevant for today's audience. He models the "less is more" philosophy (about our excessive consumerism) and is a champion for the environment. However, these values and ideas are not presented in a dogmatic way--they come across as honest and worthwhile--not preachy.
Although "Tiny House" feels like it could be a companion to great children's books like "The Little House", it is actually very timely and sheds a light on the tiny house movement.
March 4, 2017
I love tiny houses, so I was excited to read this book!
July 22, 2017
The house is tiny in size, but goes on BIG adventures. Travel along with tiny house as it travels through the USA, experiencing new things, meeting interesting people and learning that home is always in your heart no matter where you are geographically. This story captures the concept that life is not about things, rather life is about experiences. The illustrations capture the sheer beauty of this country and how glorious travel can be. Such a delight. I adored this new, original and beautifully illustrated tale of minimalist living and grand adventure. My kids and I loved this book. We even came up with ways to use this story in my classroom come fall. I cannot wait to share this book with my students and their parents. I know it will be a big hit.
February 26, 2017
I have to recommend this marvelous rhyming picture book! It definately has the possiblity of reaching an diverse audience...kids and adults alike will love the many fun and exciting adventures of Tiny House. For the new age family that is considering downsizing their home experience....this book will be great for the entire family to read! The illustrations are wonderful and compliments the text perfectly! I absolutely loved it!!
March 5, 2020
Susan Schaefer Bernardo's writing, Courtenay Fletcher's illustrations and this book's message are all sheer beauty. The Big Adventures of Tiny House highlights how home isn't "a place" but "a feeling... friendship... a full happy heart..." Sun Kisses and Moon Hugs, Bernardo and Fletcher's first book, shows ways a mother and father, no matter where they are, can love their children. This book shows a way we can love mother-earth and father-sky, and, no matter where we are, feel at home.
May 24, 2017
This lovely rhyming picture book has a heartwarming story that takes the reader from a rural farmhouse surrounded by sky scrapers to “a tiny house village full of chatter and charm.”
The story is sweet and the illustrations are spectacular! The Tiny House is bullied by houses that stay put, but he perseveres and ultimately is happy being himself.
I love the adventurous nature of Tiny House and how he searches for a place to call home.
This book offers an important message to children and teaches acceptance of others!
The story is sweet and the illustrations are spectacular! The Tiny House is bullied by houses that stay put, but he perseveres and ultimately is happy being himself.
I love the adventurous nature of Tiny House and how he searches for a place to call home.
This book offers an important message to children and teaches acceptance of others!
July 8, 2017
"The Big Adventures of Tiny House"captures the spirit and heart of the tiny house movement in America. Tiny homes and communities offer an alternative for those seeking a simpler and less costly lifestyle change, friendship and community. And yes, there is a big annual jamboree. Bernardo’s rhyming text is playful. It is fun book to read out loud along with the “Beep! Beep! Honk! Honk!” The pacing is perfect and the storytelling is clever. The ending is satisfying and carries a very important message for children about the meaning of “home.” Fletcher's bold and colorful illustrations make this a beautiful and charming book to read. Great collaboration between author and illustrator.
April 15, 2017
What an adorable book with bright, colorful, fun illustrations.
September 23, 2017
Bernardo, Susan Schaefer The Big Adventures of Tiny House, illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher. PICTURE BOOK. Inner Flower Child Books, 2017. $17.95. Content: G.
Told in rhyme, this book tells the story of an old farmhouse that is turned into a tiny house on wheels. Big Truck pulls Tiny around the country where meet new friends and have many adventures.
This book will fit well into a transportation unit or learning about the different attractions throughout the United States.
While young children are probably unaware of the tiny house movement I think they will understand the meaning of home presented in this book.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Nancy W.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Told in rhyme, this book tells the story of an old farmhouse that is turned into a tiny house on wheels. Big Truck pulls Tiny around the country where meet new friends and have many adventures.
This book will fit well into a transportation unit or learning about the different attractions throughout the United States.
While young children are probably unaware of the tiny house movement I think they will understand the meaning of home presented in this book.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Nancy W.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
March 26, 2017
A sleepy farmhouse finds its fields urbanized, but rather than be torn down human hands save the good stuff and turn it into a small home on wheels; the bed loft is my favorite part. Of course it needs to make new friends to get anywhere, and a truck with a hitch is a good start. They travel the country and see the sights, though I wonder why a house feels the need to order tacos.
The rich arrogant mansion is the bitchy one, of course, but to counter that we get Shiny, whom I love, and not just for the Firefly connection. Best moment is the cute little otter photobombing. . . er, would you call this painting-bombing?
These are big bright paintings with rhyming text. Some of the other small houses have really funky architecture. (Not much you can say when it’s only about 30 pages long.) Fun for kids to look at, though probably better for an adult to sing aloud than let the kid flounder and ruin the rhythm.
The rich arrogant mansion is the bitchy one, of course, but to counter that we get Shiny, whom I love, and not just for the Firefly connection. Best moment is the cute little otter photobombing. . . er, would you call this painting-bombing?
These are big bright paintings with rhyming text. Some of the other small houses have really funky architecture. (Not much you can say when it’s only about 30 pages long.) Fun for kids to look at, though probably better for an adult to sing aloud than let the kid flounder and ruin the rhythm.
March 29, 2017
My first grade class and I read The Big Adventures of Tiny House by Susan Schaefer Bernardo. My students loved this new book and we discussed how it compares to the Disney movie Up and The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. It was a delight to see that a house can have adventures and does not have to stay in one place. We loved how the book explores themes of home, community, and friendship. We recommend this book for children of all ages. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2017
I received an ARC of this book to test with my grandchildren.
The four-year old is big into rhyme at the moment, so the rhyming text was a success. He also likes anything with wheels and he’d never seen anything resembling the quirky tiny houses. It was also good when he got to see the hammers and saws used to change the farmhouse into a house on wheels.
Tiny house goes on his adventures around America, stopping at New Orleans, Texas and the Rocky mountains. Grandson liked the maps and the place names didn’t phase him – I don’t suppose he would have known British places so they made no difference.
There was slightly too much writing to keep the attention of my two-year old grand-daughter. but she enjoyed looking at the pictures and shouted ‘Beep Beep’ every time she spotted Tiny House.
The pictures are gorgeous and there was lots of detail for us to look at and talk about.
This is an unusual and fun book with an important message about the meaning of home.
"He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn’t a place,
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face."
The four-year old is big into rhyme at the moment, so the rhyming text was a success. He also likes anything with wheels and he’d never seen anything resembling the quirky tiny houses. It was also good when he got to see the hammers and saws used to change the farmhouse into a house on wheels.
Tiny house goes on his adventures around America, stopping at New Orleans, Texas and the Rocky mountains. Grandson liked the maps and the place names didn’t phase him – I don’t suppose he would have known British places so they made no difference.
There was slightly too much writing to keep the attention of my two-year old grand-daughter. but she enjoyed looking at the pictures and shouted ‘Beep Beep’ every time she spotted Tiny House.
The pictures are gorgeous and there was lots of detail for us to look at and talk about.
This is an unusual and fun book with an important message about the meaning of home.
"He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn’t a place,
Home was a feeling, a smile on your face."
March 17, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for an ARC of The Big Adventures of Tiny House.
T's Kid Rating: 5 stars!
What an adorable rhyming picture book with a wonderful message. A tiny farmhouse gets recycled into a house on wheels. As Tiny road trips through the States he meets lots of friends. Tiny learns that home is in your heart and where your friends are.
He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn't a place. Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
T's Kid Rating: 5 stars!
What an adorable rhyming picture book with a wonderful message. A tiny farmhouse gets recycled into a house on wheels. As Tiny road trips through the States he meets lots of friends. Tiny learns that home is in your heart and where your friends are.
He could be a home anywhere, because home wasn't a place. Home was a feeling, a smile on your face.
June 7, 2017
I have an aunt and uncle who, upon their retirement, sold their house and bought an Airstream trailer and just drive around the country full time. I've always thought it was so cool! And here's an adorable book, from the perspective of a tiny traveling house, that matches their adventures. I loved that Tiny House meets all manner of other traveling homes (including an Airstream!) and introduces readers to the myriad possibilities! Tiny House is just so endearing, and this was such a unique story to share with young readers <3
March 4, 2017
A delightful tale about friendship, travel, and self-ownership (knowing where your "home" is, even while moving.)
Schaefer Bernardo has a knack for understanding and speaking to the insecurities of early childhood, and Fletcher's illustrations are charming and inclusive. I would recommend this book to anyone with a toddler-to lower elementary school child.
Schaefer Bernardo has a knack for understanding and speaking to the insecurities of early childhood, and Fletcher's illustrations are charming and inclusive. I would recommend this book to anyone with a toddler-to lower elementary school child.
October 19, 2017
I read this to my 2 year old nephew and he loved it. We actually read it over and over and over. He pointed to the bright pictures and smiled when I read the words. This is definitely going to be a favorite of his.
There is a message in this book, maybe a few of them. The one that stuck with me is the idea that a home is whatever you want it to be. You can live in a boat, a bus, a RV, or a tiny house and it can be a home with some love and tlc.
The Big Adventures of a Tiny House is a fun and cute book. I will be recommending my local library purchasing their own copy.
Thank you Ann-Marie at GetRedPR for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
There is a message in this book, maybe a few of them. The one that stuck with me is the idea that a home is whatever you want it to be. You can live in a boat, a bus, a RV, or a tiny house and it can be a home with some love and tlc.
The Big Adventures of a Tiny House is a fun and cute book. I will be recommending my local library purchasing their own copy.
Thank you Ann-Marie at GetRedPR for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2017
A great book about an farmhouse that is saved by being made into a traveling tiny house. As it travels the country (according to the map skipping Kansas, Nebraska, & North Dakota) the tiny house learns that a home is in your heart. A great book for kids to learn about the sights of America and discovering within themselves their own home.
I received a copy from netgalley.
I received a copy from netgalley.
February 22, 2017
Received an ARC from the amazing author/illustrator team. My children (ages 4 and 2) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. I too adore this story. The writing is phenomenal. The illustrations are outstanding. The message is important.
May 16, 2017
What a beautiful book! I loved the cheerful and beautiful illustrations and the message. Sorry to wait so long after receiving it as a goodreads giveaway, but I really want to read it again before I write more.
August 7, 2017
What a delightful book of a tiny house being made of reclaimed materials and hitting the road to travel the USA.
July 31, 2019
This is such a cute story embedded with the 4R's: reduce, reuse, recycle & renew. I just love the jaunty bright yellow of the tiny house-which makes it feel as big as a mansion. The illustrations are top notch and I had some fun laughs at the anthropomorphic faces on the homes and cars. The book shows the negative judgment of people (in the form of houses) but in the end it shows that community is built on giving and sharing and that there is beauty in the uniqueness of life. The book left me with the feeling “if you build it, they will come”, be passionate and love what you do and that a simple song can lift the spirits and make life a wonderful journey. Love the world and all it's diversity. Love this giant hearted book!
The illustrations by Courtenay Fletcher are sweet and connect to the story perfectly. I love the diverse sampling of characters and how they show in simple ways the diversity of the human race and that acceptance of all is key...and to have a wanderlust...get out there are see this great beautiful world!
I highly recommend it and cannot wait to share it with my granddaughter!
Thank you to the author, Susan Schaefer Bernardo, for sending me this book. All opinions expressed are my own
For more information about me, please visit alwaysbedancing dot com
The illustrations by Courtenay Fletcher are sweet and connect to the story perfectly. I love the diverse sampling of characters and how they show in simple ways the diversity of the human race and that acceptance of all is key...and to have a wanderlust...get out there are see this great beautiful world!
I highly recommend it and cannot wait to share it with my granddaughter!
Thank you to the author, Susan Schaefer Bernardo, for sending me this book. All opinions expressed are my own
For more information about me, please visit alwaysbedancing dot com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews