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| Original, Doris Burn's illustrated cover |
In my personal opinion, it's a tragedy and outrage that the Doris Burn's illustrated edition of We Were Tired of Living in a House (c. 1969) hasn't been republished! Here Liesel Moak Skorpen crafted a clever story:
We were tired of living in a house.
So we packed a bag with
sweaters and socks and scarves
and mittens and woolen caps.
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| title pages |
But what has made this story so positively, absolutely delightful are the charming and imaginative illustrations of Doris Burn. Yes, yes, yes there's a 1999 reprint illustrated by Joe Cepeda. But I ask you: why improve upon perfection?! It completely eludes me as to why it would be an option. Just look at these illustrations:
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| We liked our tree . . . |
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| We liked our pond . . . |
Burns makes living in a tree or on a pond or near a cave or by the sea look so appealing that I was ready to pack my own bags (the tree bit is my personal favorite)! Either way, and I'll submit to either edition, this is a summer must read, for in the end it's another wonderful story reiterating the time proven fact that there's no place like home.
Totally agree. The pictures were such an appealing part of the book. The newer version is not nearly as charming.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 64 and this is my favorite book ever. I have a copy and have read it to my kids and grandkids. I have it me memorized. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, especially the illuustrations! Where can I find a copy of the original version?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. This was a book of my wife's. This was my favorite book to read to my kids (now 21, 21, and 19). We just lost our home and this treasure to a fire. I would so love to find a copy to give to my wife.
ReplyDeleteJust saw your 2013 post (11/20/19). I will do my darndest to find you a copy for you to give to your wife if you are still searching for one. The 1969 WR version is simply awesome.
Deletejbitczer@gmail is my grandson's email address - you can reach me at jimbo1943@comcast.net.
I was born in 1969, and this book was my "Genesis." My dad used to read it to me, I read it in kindergarten show-and-tell. Doris Burns' illustrations are pure perfection.
ReplyDeleteI treasure my copy! I read it over and over again as a little girl and read it to my boys as they grew up. It was one of their favorites, too. Someday, I hope to read it to my grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteI treasure my copy! I read it over and over again as a little girl and read it to my boys as they grew up. It was one of their favorites, too. Someday, I hope to read it to my grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite picture book of all time! Hands down. Love, love, love the illustrations. I spent a lot of time in the pages of this book as a child, have read it to my own children, and share it with my kindergartners every year.
ReplyDeleteI never had this book, but it looks like the magical illustrations are like the ones in The Summerfolk and Andrew Henry's Meadow, both written and illustrated by Doris Burn. My sisters and I adored these books when we were young and and I read them to my own children who also loved them dearly.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. I read this to my children when they were little. I asked the librarian if she ever got rid of it, to call me first. They got rid of it and did not call me. I have found 3 copies online in the past couple of years that were affordable. Today the cheapest one I found was $38. They are all up from there. Exactly! Why improve on perfection? The words are wonderful but the illustrations totally make this book!
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