Thursday, March 29, 2012

thursday :: book day

the little brute family

We have been enjoying The Little Brute Family so much lately. It's by Russel and Lillian Hoban. I adore them for the Frances books. This one is great also. It's about a family of little brutes.

the little brute family

They live a grumpy and sour life--that is just what they are used to and what they have always known. They eat sand and gravel porridge. No one says 'please.' No one says 'thank you.'

the little brute family

During the day they push and shove and scold the baby. No one has any fun or enjoys life.

the little brute family

Then one day the Baby Brute finds "a little wandering lost good feeling in a field of daisies." He brings it home and, amazingly, it begins to spread amongst the entire family. Everyone likes the feeling. They begin to say please and thank you. Papa finds some greens and berries for dinner instead of rocks. They begin to play and have a good time.

the little brute family

Such a great story about how out our attitudes influence our days and weeks and lives. So sweetly written and illustrated. Highly recommended!

6 comments:

Rain said...

I'll have to look for this. We also love the Frances books.

Sarah said...

Thanks for the recommendatIon! I was looking for another book for Claire's Easter basket. Sounds perfect!

Anonymous said...

Oh so sweet, what a cute and enriching story!

Anonymous said...

I have that book from when I was a little girl. It is one of my favorites. My mom and I always joke about the lost, wandering good feeling.

Anonymous said...

love love your blog.. just wanted to let you know! i've been reading for a long while!

Anonymous said...

i shared this with my 6-year-old today. she LOVED those naughty brutes (and says she doesn't want to be one!). we read it three times in a row. thanks for the recommendation!