Soft House

by Jane Yolen, Wendy Anderson Halperin (Illustrator)

Jane Yolen's charming, universal tale about keeping boredom at bay on a rainy day is paired with richly detailed illustrations by Wendy Anderson Halperin.

It's raining, and Davey and Alison Isabelle are bored. They don't want to play checkers. They don't want to play school. They don't want to read books. And they're starting to get on each other's nerves. "I know," says Davey brightly. "Let's play Soft House." Together, after some serious scrounging and with the supervision of Mr. Cat, the siblings prove that a wall of cushions, an awning of blankets, a strategically placed flash-light, and a plateful of cookies can create the perfect setting for letting their imaginations soar.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great "small moments" book for a writing lesson - this is about making a fort from blankets on a rainy day.

[RBPL Staff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two siblings are stuck indoors on a rainy day lost on how to spend their time. The decision to build a Soft House, or a blanket fort, is made and readers are taken on the process of how they gather supplies, the building, and what activities they bring with them inside to spend a cozy day.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising kid favorite. The lush illustrations are a bit visually dated but so cozy, lovely, nostalgic for a 90s kid like me. Sweet story with a message about love and bravery that lands. Best of all, it got my dudes wanting to play "soft house", a variant on our other tent games.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a soft, cozy story of a little brother and and a big sister. My four year old son loves it.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I read over and over. It's so easy to connect to. We all love to have secret, sheltered spots to retreat to. Children especially connect with this idea. Additionally, I completely love the illustrator, Wendy Anderson Halperin.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book built up toward a great time to be had in this blanket fort "soft house" and it ended right there. I don't know that I was particularly satisfied with the end, but everything leading up to that was beautiful.

[Lorraine Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children can connect to this book becuase they all have experienced being stuck in the house on a rainy day. This can be a good writing assignment: having the kids come up with differnt activities they can do inside the house on a rainy day without technology (TV, video games).

[Jennafer Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft House is a charming story of a sister and brother who wile away a rainy day indoors by building a "soft house" of blankets and pillows to play in. They argue some, but they also work together and truly enjoy each other's company.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soft House is a tent! I love how the children overcame their gloomy moods and worked together to make the tent. Additionally, the book mentioned in a passive manner the importance of responsibility siblings have to care for each other.

[Nancy Lockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rainy day book. :)

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the forts we made in the house growing up. What wonderful memories to stir up.

[Emily Metroka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story for older kids about rainy day activities. Could be a fun library program to have the kids build their own soft houses and then eat cookies. :)

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was saccharin sweet to me. Sister bullies her baby brother and then they build forts together. Loved the illustrations, but the fed into that "too sweet" image for me.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much to this.