Peter's Old House

"Peter's Old House" is a story about Peter, a man who lives in an old house in a village. He helps all of the other villagers in many ways, such as showing visitors around (because he speaks so many languages), mending clocks, locks, and people (the village doctor), making sailboats for the children, telling stories, etc. A village inspector tells Peter that he must fix his house or it will be torn down, but Peter does not have any money to fix his house because no one ever pays him for his services. When the village townspeople find out that Peter's house is going to be torn down, they all pitch in to help rebuild his house. Once the house is rebuilt, the village has a "topping-out" party.I enjoyed this book with its wonderful illustrations and old-fashioned story. Stories like this are important because they teach that everyone has value and the importance of helping each other and working together.I would give this book a 4 3/4 stars (if I could) ONLY because I have "Around the Year" by Elsa Beskow also. I like "Around the Year" better because the illustrations are brighter, and I enjoy the verses for each month of the year. Also, "Peter's Old House" has an illustration and text on only one page of each 2 page spread - the facing page is blank. Otherwise, the hardcover books are both wonderfully bound and beautifully illustrated. I enjoy all of Elsa Beskow's books and don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

"Peter's Old House" is a story about Peter, a man who lives in an old house in a village. He helps all of the other villagers in many ways, such as showing visitors around (because he speaks so many languages), mending clocks, locks, and people (the village doctor), making sailboats for the children, telling stories, etc. A village inspector tells Peter that he must fix his house or it will be torn down, but Peter does not have any money to fix his house because no one ever pays him for his services. When the village townspeople find out that Peter's house is going to be torn down, they all pitch in to help rebuild his house. Once the house is rebuilt, the village has a "topping-out" party.I enjoyed this book with its wonderful illustrations and old-fashioned story. Stories like this are important because they teach that everyone has value and the importance of helping each other and working together.I gave this book a 4 ONLY because I have "Around the Year" by Elsa Beskow also. I like "Around the Year" better because the illustrations are brighter, and I enjoy the verses for each month of the year. Also, "Peter's Old House" has an illustration and text on only one page of each 2 page spread - the facing page is blank. Otherwise, the hardcover books are both wonderfully bound and beautifully illustrated. I enjoy all of Elsa Beskow's books and don't think you can go wrong with any of them.