Poppy's House

by Karla Courtney, Madeline Kloepper (Illustrator)

Overview

A warm story of the bond between young and old that evokes the wild, windswept banks of Newfoundland—and the joys of a traditional way of life.

In a picture book as cozy as wool socks and as sweeping as a lighthouse beam, a little girl takes a ferry to an island to spend time with her Poppy. After fresh-baked bread for breakfast, the two tidy up, garden, and set out to explore together. They pass docks and green hills specked with puffins, counting their favorite things along the way: masts, animal tracks, silvery waves. At the end of each day, they snuggle on Poppy’s worn velvet armchair to read by lantern light. When it’s time to travel home, the little girl begins counting the days until she and Poppy will be together again. A patchwork of exquisitely patterned and textured art evokes a traditional quilt in this ode to coastal Canada and to the days spent with an attentive, caring older person.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536211528
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.63(w) x 9.31(h) x 0.44(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Karla Courtney grew up in Toronto and spent summers in Arnold’s Cove, Newfoundland. Her career started with a wool triangle—which she accidentally made while trying to knit a scarf but kept adding stitches! She rolled the triangle into a cone, sewed the edges together to turn it into a hat, and wrote up the pattern. She’s been making beanies and books ever since. She lives in England.

Madeline Kloepper is the author-illustrator of Outside Art and has illustrated many books for young readers, including Tiny, Perfect Things by M. H. Clark and Little Blue Chair by Cary Fagan. Madeline Kloepper lives in Prince George, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

The illustrations, done in colored pencils and gouache, fit the mood of the story perfectly. . . . A lovely picture book to add to any collection.
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

06/24/2022

PreS-Gr 3—A patchwork of paintings with a folk-art bent, a puffin, cloudberries, and a dedication sets this, perhaps, in Newfoundland as an unnamed child of about 10 is looking forward to a trip. She and her mother board a large ship to cross the sea in anticipation of visiting Poppy, the young girl's grandfather. He lives alone in a yellow house on top of a hill on an island. The young girl and Poppy enjoy spending time together doing everyday chores, such as chopping wood, digging up potatoes, watering the garden, etc. Then the two set off to explore things nearby and to count the things they see, such as clothes hanging on a line, cod, animal tracks, and stones. The days end with a good book and snuggling on Poppy's worn velvet armchair. Soon it is time to say goodbye, and the granddaughter returns home, taking with her cherished memories and a plan to return soon. The illustrations, done in colored pencils and gouache, fit the mood of the story perfectly. The characters all have pale skin and a variety of hair colors. Pair with Sennah Yee's My Day with Gong Gong for a satisfying story hour celebrating grandfathers. VERDICT A lovely picture book to add to any collection.—Martha Rico

School Library Journal

2022-04-27
A treasured family visit brings joy to a child and their grandfather.

The child and their mother set sail on a long voyage; they see mountains, boats, and humpback whales before they finally arrive at a distant, rural island. Moose graze, puffins congregate, and, best of all, Poppy greets them. As the child’s mother waves goodbye, Poppy embraces the happy child. The protagonist watches, and sometimes lends a helping hand, as Poppy goes about his daily chores, which involve food preparation and gathering. They explore the island, counting masts, cod, and sea waves. Each evening brings a cozy reading time. Alas, the visit comes to an end—until next year. Courtney, who references summers in Newfoundland on the book’s dedication page, has written a loving ode to a special family relationship and locale. The details may not be familiar to all readers, but the strong feelings of love and companionship will resonate. The earth-toned illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and gouache and finished digitally, are a fitting match for the flora and fauna depicted. A lovely quilt design on the endpapers beautifully captures the local birds, beasts, greenery, and buildings. The child, their mother, and their grandfather are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

In this warm, gentle tale, everyday activities take on a special meaning during a summer island vacation. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews