In Front Of My House By Marianne Dubuc

1.  Bibliographic
Dubuc, Marianne.  2010.  IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.  New York:  Kids Can Press.  ISBN 9781554536412

2.  Plot Summary
The begins with a house on a hill and in front of the house is...  Has the reader turns each page they are delighted with something that is related to the image on the previous page.  The reader is taken on a journey from the house to the outer limits of space.  "Next to the stars...a full moon".  A child's imagination takes the reader on a mission to see what is really out there.

3.  Critical Analysis
The author tells the story very simply.  The journey of what is just beyond our eyes is seen on each page.  The story is told from the perspective of a child to discover what is really out there in the world.  The story makes the reader realize that everyone is connected even if we can't see the connection with our own eyes.   We are all related to each other.
The illustration of the story are colorful and simple.  The reader feels as though the child that is sharing the story has drawn the illustrations and colored them with crayons.  The images bring life to the child's imagination. 

4.  Review Excerpts
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY says, "The story's unexpected detours are often delightful ..."
2011 USBBY OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL BOOKS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL remarks that:  "The illustrations, rendered in pencil crayon, are appropriately simple. They appear first on a white ground, then on black as the journey progresses into a cave and outer space, and then on white again for the return trip. This little gem has everything: text that will keep youngsters guessing as well as making up their own places to explore, and even an opportunity to make sense of those elusive prepositions. Don't miss this journey."

5.  Connections
*This book would be wonderful to read to children and than have them create their own book with simple text and pictures in crayon with what they believe are in front of their house.  They could go own their own magic journey.
*Other books about adventures and a child's imagination:
Faller, Regis.  POLO AND THE MAGIC FLUTE.  ISBN 9781596434950
Lazi, Caroline.  SOMEDAY WHEN MY CAT CAN TALK.  ISBN 9780375837548