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The House at the End of the Road
One summer, while exploring the town during their annual stay at Grandma’s house, two siblings and their cousin come across a creepy old house. The kids poke around, one of them causing mischief and tossing rocks at the window, until they glimpse a ghost through the glass! Later, Grandma reveals the house doesn’t belong to a ghost―just old Mr. Peterson.
After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson’s great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson’s home to give back to him.
Full of heart, this picture book incorporates graphic novel elements to tell a layered and moving story about an intergenerational friendship. It shows how appearances can be deceiving: sometimes the best adventure awaits where you least expect it.
After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson’s great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson’s home to give back to him.
Full of heart, this picture book incorporates graphic novel elements to tell a layered and moving story about an intergenerational friendship. It shows how appearances can be deceiving: sometimes the best adventure awaits where you least expect it.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 17, 2019
About the author
Kari Rust
7 books6 followersBefore she started making picture books, Kari worked in the animation industry as an animator, storyboard artist, layout artist and designer. She has also taught drawing and animation in colleges, and to children at art centres. Kari met her husband, Jeff, when they were both studying animation at Emily Carr. Now they have two kids and live in rainy Vancouver, Canada. In addition to illustrating and animating, Kari mentors students at Vancouver Film School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 8, 2021
A mystery story taking place in summer at grandma's house. Cousins go exploring and find an old house. It looks spooky and they fear a ghost. The kids learn about all kinds of things and find that sometimes old looking things can be a whole lot of fun.
I enjoy that there is generation mixing here and the kids are interested in things from a by-gone era. There is humor in this book and also sadness. I found this to be a refreshing story for kids.
I enjoy that there is generation mixing here and the kids are interested in things from a by-gone era. There is humor in this book and also sadness. I found this to be a refreshing story for kids.
January 6, 2020
There are lots of things to like about Kari Rust's second children's book. As both author and illustrator she has a unique opportunity to control all aspects of the story. However Rust doesn't do this as effectively as I would have liked her to.
The cover and blurb imply this is a scary story, and it is, sort of. I know five year old children who would be sooo disappointed that there are only two pages of 'ghosts' and the rest is just about (albeit cool) old stuff. I would have liked the suspense of a possible ghost to extend longer, maybe a second trip before they tell Grandma(?) That said there are many younger children who may find this a little bit intense. If your child tends to be afraid of Disney villains than on first read be prepared for a bit of fright. However the beauty here is there is no real ghost and so subsequent reads are likely to be fun.
The part I don't like about this story, and my primary reason for only giving it three stars is that the elderly gentleman is just taken away from his home. It disturbs me to think that we are teaching children that old people are just removed from unsafe places. This is definitely not the norm in big cities and feels like a side effect of the story that Rust was perhaps not intending to imply. I also don't like that all his items were gone. Where did they go? Did he get them? His family? It's a little too loose for me and I can see many children asking where his stuff went and no (easy) answer being forthcoming.
With some tweaks this could be an amazing children's story. Unfortunately for me it doesn't quite hit the mark and leaves too many questions unanswered.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
The cover and blurb imply this is a scary story, and it is, sort of. I know five year old children who would be sooo disappointed that there are only two pages of 'ghosts' and the rest is just about (albeit cool) old stuff. I would have liked the suspense of a possible ghost to extend longer, maybe a second trip before they tell Grandma(?) That said there are many younger children who may find this a little bit intense. If your child tends to be afraid of Disney villains than on first read be prepared for a bit of fright. However the beauty here is there is no real ghost and so subsequent reads are likely to be fun.
The part I don't like about this story, and my primary reason for only giving it three stars is that the elderly gentleman is just taken away from his home. It disturbs me to think that we are teaching children that old people are just removed from unsafe places. This is definitely not the norm in big cities and feels like a side effect of the story that Rust was perhaps not intending to imply. I also don't like that all his items were gone. Where did they go? Did he get them? His family? It's a little too loose for me and I can see many children asking where his stuff went and no (easy) answer being forthcoming.
With some tweaks this could be an amazing children's story. Unfortunately for me it doesn't quite hit the mark and leaves too many questions unanswered.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
July 6, 2019
This book is sort of a picture-book/graphic-novel hybrid. It tells the story of three cousins who discover what they think is a haunted house. But it turns out that the place is inhabited by Mr. Peterson, who's collected all kinds of cool stuff over the years. The children spend lots of time there, until one day they turn up to find Mr. Peterson gone. So they make some mementos for him and ask their grandmother to deliver them.
I don't really have a problem with the story, but the synopsis makes it sound more innocuous than it might be. Mr. Peterson "has left for a retirement home" sounds like a voluntary thing... when, in actuality, it appears he was forced to move. I recently read an article about senior guardianship that was downright terrifying; basically, a stranger can declare themselves an elderly person's guardian, and they lose all their rights and assets. I can't help but wonder if that's what happened to poor Mr. Peterson, as it certainly seems like he was forced out against his will.
The illustrations are kind of cute, and I like how the book is put together. This could be a good introduction to graphic novels for kids, since the format is (mostly) in that style.
The ending is a bit abrupt, but I really don't know what else I was expecting. Mr. Peterson to fight back against the forced guardianship? The old guy sneaking out of the retirement home to go back and live in his old house? I'm not sure. I just find it quite sad that, although he has friends, he doesn't seem to have any advocates. He lost his home and all his possessions, and it was up to three kids to try to give him back some mementos. That says something about dysfunction in our society, but it's nothing good.
Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids for providing a digital ARC.
I don't really have a problem with the story, but the synopsis makes it sound more innocuous than it might be. Mr. Peterson "has left for a retirement home" sounds like a voluntary thing... when, in actuality, it appears he was forced to move. I recently read an article about senior guardianship that was downright terrifying; basically, a stranger can declare themselves an elderly person's guardian, and they lose all their rights and assets. I can't help but wonder if that's what happened to poor Mr. Peterson, as it certainly seems like he was forced out against his will.
The illustrations are kind of cute, and I like how the book is put together. This could be a good introduction to graphic novels for kids, since the format is (mostly) in that style.
The ending is a bit abrupt, but I really don't know what else I was expecting. Mr. Peterson to fight back against the forced guardianship? The old guy sneaking out of the retirement home to go back and live in his old house? I'm not sure. I just find it quite sad that, although he has friends, he doesn't seem to have any advocates. He lost his home and all his possessions, and it was up to three kids to try to give him back some mementos. That says something about dysfunction in our society, but it's nothing good.
Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids for providing a digital ARC.
December 15, 2019
I read this with my grandson a little while ago and we enjoyed it. We thought it was going to be a scary halloween story, but we were wrong. Three cousins decide to investigate the creepy house at the end of the road near their grandparents. After throwing rocks at the windows, they see a ghost and hurry home to tell grandma about the haunted house. Well, it turns out that it is not haunted at all, but inhabited by an older gentleman named Mr. Peterson. The children become regular visitors to Mr. Peterson's house that summer and get to know what a great man he really is.
There is a lot to this little book. It deals with adults getting older and being forced by family members and friends into a retirement residence. It also shows the importance of intergenerational friendships as well as not making judgements based on appearances. The children learn from Mr. Peterson, listening to his stories and looking at his pictures. When he goes to live in the retirement home, they take him a memory basket so he will always remember his home, his past and their friendship. My grandson and I had a good discussion about this. We talked about what might happen as I, grandma, get older and how I would always want to spend time with him and his siblings. This story would be a good one to read with children around the age of 8 to 10. I think it would elicit a lot of discussions about spending time with our elders, listening to their stories and respecting all they have to offer. Visits to retirement homes to entertain, play games, do crafts etc. could also follow. I definitely recommend this story.
There is a lot to this little book. It deals with adults getting older and being forced by family members and friends into a retirement residence. It also shows the importance of intergenerational friendships as well as not making judgements based on appearances. The children learn from Mr. Peterson, listening to his stories and looking at his pictures. When he goes to live in the retirement home, they take him a memory basket so he will always remember his home, his past and their friendship. My grandson and I had a good discussion about this. We talked about what might happen as I, grandma, get older and how I would always want to spend time with him and his siblings. This story would be a good one to read with children around the age of 8 to 10. I think it would elicit a lot of discussions about spending time with our elders, listening to their stories and respecting all they have to offer. Visits to retirement homes to entertain, play games, do crafts etc. could also follow. I definitely recommend this story.
September 5, 2019
The House at the End of the Road by Kari Rust is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on September 17 2019. One summer, while exploring the town during their annual stay at Grandma’s house, two siblings and their cousin come across a creepy old house. The kids poke around, one of them causing mischief and tossing rocks at the window, until they glimpse a ghost through the glass! Later, Grandma reveals the house doesn’t belong to a ghost—just old Mr. Peterson. After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson’s great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson’s home to give back to him.
The House at the End of the Road is a picturebook that will appeal to older readers as well as the younger set because of the topic and the graphic novel elements and feel. I thought the story was very realistic, and is something I could see happening very easily. I liked how the kid's behavior is as flawed as you might find in any kid. Making mistakes, but almost as quickly making amends and finding out how they were wrong. I like that the cousin was afraid of owning up to his mistakes, as even adults are at times, but still did the right thing- eventually. I think the full story arc teaches young readers, and adults, important lessons in taking the time to look past the appearance and taking the time to know people. Forging a friendship across generational lines, and not just learning about each other but taking steps to help and care for each other was very well written. I loved the art style, and think it added a great deal of atmosphere and emotion to the story.
The House at the End of the Road is a wonderful story that I hope inspires readers off all ages to reach out and make new friends across generational lines (safely of course) and to take a bit more time to look beyond the rumors and appearance to discover the truth. I hope it will also encourage readers to explore graphic novels further.
The House at the End of the Road is a picturebook that will appeal to older readers as well as the younger set because of the topic and the graphic novel elements and feel. I thought the story was very realistic, and is something I could see happening very easily. I liked how the kid's behavior is as flawed as you might find in any kid. Making mistakes, but almost as quickly making amends and finding out how they were wrong. I like that the cousin was afraid of owning up to his mistakes, as even adults are at times, but still did the right thing- eventually. I think the full story arc teaches young readers, and adults, important lessons in taking the time to look past the appearance and taking the time to know people. Forging a friendship across generational lines, and not just learning about each other but taking steps to help and care for each other was very well written. I loved the art style, and think it added a great deal of atmosphere and emotion to the story.
The House at the End of the Road is a wonderful story that I hope inspires readers off all ages to reach out and make new friends across generational lines (safely of course) and to take a bit more time to look beyond the rumors and appearance to discover the truth. I hope it will also encourage readers to explore graphic novels further.
August 21, 2019
Description:
One summer, while exploring the town during their annual stay at Grandma’s house, two siblings and their cousin come across a creepy old house. The kids poke around, one of them causing mischief and tossing rocks at the window, until they glimpse a ghost through the glass! Later, Grandma reveals the house doesn’t belong to a ghost―just old Mr. Peterson.
After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson’s great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson’s home to give back to him.
Full of heart, this picture book incorporates graphic novel elements to tell a layered and moving story about an intergenerational friendship. It shows how appearances can be deceiving: sometimes the best adventure awaits where you least expect it. Less
REVIEW:
Kari Rust’s The House at the End of tRoad is beautifully illustrated, and also has a heartwarming message. This is a sweet quick read for young or elementary age children about respecting their elders, and about not jumping to conclusions about people.
Beautifully told and a wonderful example of children learning from and helping an older person ... Friendship is important. I was provided the book free of charge for review purposes.
One summer, while exploring the town during their annual stay at Grandma’s house, two siblings and their cousin come across a creepy old house. The kids poke around, one of them causing mischief and tossing rocks at the window, until they glimpse a ghost through the glass! Later, Grandma reveals the house doesn’t belong to a ghost―just old Mr. Peterson.
After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson’s great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson’s home to give back to him.
Full of heart, this picture book incorporates graphic novel elements to tell a layered and moving story about an intergenerational friendship. It shows how appearances can be deceiving: sometimes the best adventure awaits where you least expect it. Less
REVIEW:
Kari Rust’s The House at the End of tRoad is beautifully illustrated, and also has a heartwarming message. This is a sweet quick read for young or elementary age children about respecting their elders, and about not jumping to conclusions about people.
Beautifully told and a wonderful example of children learning from and helping an older person ... Friendship is important. I was provided the book free of charge for review purposes.
September 16, 2019
This is a delightful picture book that is in graphic-novel style in some page spreads. Told from the perspective of a young girl, she explains what happened when she, her brother Patrick, and their cousin Robert visited their Grandma’s house one summer. The three cousins went on a bike ride and wound up at what appeared to be an old abandoned house. But after snooping around a bit, they saw a GHOST! Ahhhhh! They run back home to their grandmother only to discover it wasn’t a ghost, but one of Grandma’s former teachers, Mr. Peterson. When Grandma takes them back to the house, they quickly discover that appearances can be very deceiving. Not only is Mr. Peterson not angry at them for trespassing, but he’s a delightful person and they decide to return to his home again and again. The story is a little bit sad at one point, but the ending is precious and hopeful.
I can’t wait to see the final format of the book because the artwork in the ARC is just wonderful. I loved looking at the finer details, like the decor and patterns in Grandma’s kitchen and living room, the odds and ends in Mr. Peterson’s basement and attic, and the various scenes of the house from the outside. I kept coming back through to find something I'd missed, previously.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley and Owlkids for giving me an ARC of this book so that I could provide an honest review. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
I can’t wait to see the final format of the book because the artwork in the ARC is just wonderful. I loved looking at the finer details, like the decor and patterns in Grandma’s kitchen and living room, the odds and ends in Mr. Peterson’s basement and attic, and the various scenes of the house from the outside. I kept coming back through to find something I'd missed, previously.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley and Owlkids for giving me an ARC of this book so that I could provide an honest review. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
December 14, 2020
A brother and his sister visit their grandmother every summer, joining a cousin Robert who is there a lot. He is portrayed as the one who doesn't quite think before he acts and when they are out riding the old bikes at Grandmother's house, they come across an old house. Thinking it abandoned, Robert throws a rock and breaks a window when an old man appears at that window. They think "ghost!" and race away. Robert leaves his bike. What happens then is the meeting of old Mr. Peterson whose house it was, learning his sense of humor (ah, that scary ghost), and all the wonderful things in his house. "Each one had a story." Kari Rust writes and illustrates in comic-book fashion, showing the details of special "old" things, like a "whirring projector", flowers pressed in scrapbooks, toys that moved without batteries, old photos. Most illustrations feel like old photos, too, when the house takes center stage. Otherwise, summer tones dominate.
When the children discover the house abandoned all of a sudden, they do the kindest thing for Mr. Peterson, gather what memories they can although the house and all its belongings have been taken away. I loved the story, have my own "collected" memories from long ago family's homes. I imagine this would be a wonderful book to read and discuss with children who may have had their own adventures with older people, with grandparents.
When the children discover the house abandoned all of a sudden, they do the kindest thing for Mr. Peterson, gather what memories they can although the house and all its belongings have been taken away. I loved the story, have my own "collected" memories from long ago family's homes. I imagine this would be a wonderful book to read and discuss with children who may have had their own adventures with older people, with grandparents.
November 14, 2019
Sometimes it's kind of scary to reach out and befriend people that are different than you, especially when that person is from a different age group. I like that the kids in this story discover that there's more to Mr. Peterson than a ghostly figure staring out a window. The story starts off with three cousins staying at their grandmother's house for the summer. When they check out what they think is an abandoned house in the neighborhood, they think that there's a ghost. When they go back the next day, they meet Mr. Peterson and become good friends with him. They realize that he has so much to share with them in old stories, photographs, books, and other artifacts from the past. Mr. Peterson soon has to go to a retirement home and the kids are moved to put together a gift of memories for their new friend. This book could start a good conversation about the benefits of developing relationships with those that can share so many wonderful memories. It might even inspire young readers to look for opportunities to learn the stories and memories from older friends and family members in their own lives.
September 18, 2019
The cover art is all Stranger Things meets haunted house ghost story. But once inside these beautifully drawn pages the only scary thing is just how hauntingly wrong first impressions can be. The House at the End of the Road doesn’t make the mistake of focusing on the wrong assumptions made by our three young children. Instead creator Kari Rust focuses on how a parental figure—a grandmother in this case—can work with children to understand how best to make amends for their errant behavior. These kids learn to look past the eccentric behavior of an elderly neighbor and learn to enjoy the humor and history of a man in the final chapter of life.
February 15, 2020
I have seen people post about this book but I had trouble finding it and then I kind of just forgot about it. So glad I finally read it because I really loved the story. Three cousins find an old house they are pretty sure is haunted. But what may look old and scary can be deceiving, as they find out. Their grandmother introduces them to the inhabitant, old Mr. Peterson, and they learn to not always judge a book by its cover!
May 24, 2020
A well written and nicely illustrated book about children who find what appears to be an abandoned house. They assume it has a ghost living in it, but their grandmother tells them a lonely old man. They build a special relationship until one day they find he isn’t home. I love the interaction between generations!
July 5, 2020
I was convinced that my new next neighbor (we were the new ones) was a witch when I was little. It was a little disappointing that she wasn't. This book is similar. Old man is just old. Illustrations are fantastic. The story is meaningful with deeper layers a parent/guardian could choose to talk about or not (why is the cousin often with the grandma, for example).
August 28, 2020
Touching and sweet children's book about inter generational friendship. Really been impressed with a lot of Canadian authors/illustrators recently. Eager to read Kari Rust's debut picture book Tricky
October 21, 2020
Hmm, not the spooky story it set itself up to be, which was disappointing, although the content was cool otherwise, these kids finding out the spooky old house has a nice older man living there with lots of cool junk and a garden.
March 1, 2021
A heartwarming story with really cool artwork. I couldn’t pinpoint the medium the illustrator used - turns out it was all digitally hand drawn, which looks just unique enough to be different, but in a good way.
June 4, 2020
A nice tale of morals, making things right and inter-generational friendship. I'm definitely keeping this author on my radar.
August 7, 2020
Cute book! I loved all of the little details in the illustrations. ( See if you can find something in the attic that is in most attics!)
November 15, 2020
The book has a nice story line. I enjoyed that it's a picture book but with graphic novel-like elements like panels and speech bubbles.
February 22, 2021
Illustrations pushed it from a 3 star book to a 4 star. Great cover, sweet story.
March 25, 2023
Sweet and sad story to teach kids to appreciate older generations.
February 23, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was published September 17, 2019, by Owl Kids. Check out my blog at https://dickenslibrary.blogspot.com/2... to view the images missing here.
A young girl and her brother, Patrick, come to stay with their grandmother for the summer. Robert, their cousin, is there already. Right from the start, it was Robert who most fascinated me. He still does. There’s just something about him that tells you he’s a unique character who is full of all kinds of surprises.
The trio of cousins decide to visit the rickety old house at the end of the road. When Robert throws a rock at the window, a face appears. Certain it is a ghost, they run away leaving one of their bikes behind.
After they tell their grandmother, she drags them off to the house to apologize to Mr. Peterson, her favourite teacher and owner of the house. He’s quite the character with a delightfully wacky sense of humour as you can see below as he greets his visitors for the first time.
Over time they visit with Mr. Peterson numerous times. He gives them gifts that are perfect for each of them. This relationship benefits all of them, but it seems that it is most important for Robert who is most devastated when they discover their elderly friend is gone.
The House at the end of the road is a hybrid – part picture book and part graphic novel. There is much I love about it, but mostly it’s the characters. The adults are responsible, but kind and loving. The children are authentic. I’ve had a few Roberts in my teaching life and wish all of them could have significant role models like Mr. Peterson and Grandma.
I adore the art in this book. It’s gorgeously detailed. So much is revealed about the countryside where this takes place and about the characters and their emotions. There is a seamless union of image and words. Separating one from the other in this book is impossible.
This book confirmed for me the importance of acceptance for all children. It reminded me of the special relationships I am lucky enough to have with my own grandchildren and of how important relationships between the oldest and the youngest of us are.
My only quibble with this book is the APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING message at the end of it. Not only is it not necessary, it simplifies all the important nuances of meaning the book holds.
Your school library should have a copy of this one.
Just finished rereading this and enjoyed it as much the second time round. What I'm not so sure of is how well it will be received by readers. I'm going to have to test it out.
A young girl and her brother, Patrick, come to stay with their grandmother for the summer. Robert, their cousin, is there already. Right from the start, it was Robert who most fascinated me. He still does. There’s just something about him that tells you he’s a unique character who is full of all kinds of surprises.
The trio of cousins decide to visit the rickety old house at the end of the road. When Robert throws a rock at the window, a face appears. Certain it is a ghost, they run away leaving one of their bikes behind.
After they tell their grandmother, she drags them off to the house to apologize to Mr. Peterson, her favourite teacher and owner of the house. He’s quite the character with a delightfully wacky sense of humour as you can see below as he greets his visitors for the first time.
Over time they visit with Mr. Peterson numerous times. He gives them gifts that are perfect for each of them. This relationship benefits all of them, but it seems that it is most important for Robert who is most devastated when they discover their elderly friend is gone.
The House at the end of the road is a hybrid – part picture book and part graphic novel. There is much I love about it, but mostly it’s the characters. The adults are responsible, but kind and loving. The children are authentic. I’ve had a few Roberts in my teaching life and wish all of them could have significant role models like Mr. Peterson and Grandma.
I adore the art in this book. It’s gorgeously detailed. So much is revealed about the countryside where this takes place and about the characters and their emotions. There is a seamless union of image and words. Separating one from the other in this book is impossible.
This book confirmed for me the importance of acceptance for all children. It reminded me of the special relationships I am lucky enough to have with my own grandchildren and of how important relationships between the oldest and the youngest of us are.
My only quibble with this book is the APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING message at the end of it. Not only is it not necessary, it simplifies all the important nuances of meaning the book holds.
Your school library should have a copy of this one.
Just finished rereading this and enjoyed it as much the second time round. What I'm not so sure of is how well it will be received by readers. I'm going to have to test it out.
October 22, 2019
Author and illustrator Kari Rust, who debuted on the picture book scene with the clever and surprising Tricky, returns with the touching The House at the End of the Road. Rust's sophomore title is an intriguing mix of real world actuality and gentle nostalgia. A picture book with graphic novel components, The House at the End of the Road tells the story of three young cousins whose detour to a seemingly abandoned and possibly haunted house changes the course of a summer. While staying with their grandmother for another summer vacation, a sister and brother as well as a cousin named Robert go exploring around the town on broken-down bicycles. As the three cousins come across what appears to be a spooky and uninhabited house, Robert ends up tapping a rock to window and a wizened face suddenly appears at the window! The three kids scramble away and accidentally leave one of their bicycles on the property. While the cousins believe the face to belong to a ghost, their understanding grandma assures them that the Old Peterson House is, in fact, occupied by an elderly man named Mr. Peterson. When the cousin's grandma introduces them to Mr. Peterson, the kids discover an incredible world of stories, antiques, photos of the past...and a new friend. A sudden turn leaves the kids floundering, but the cousins, along with their grandma, find a way to make the best of things. Unexpectedly light on text, Rust's gorgeous artwork adds poignancy to the story. The characters are deeply expressive, the panels and spreads are rich with precise detail, saturated colours and shadows. Blink and you may miss the siblings holding hands in one scene for comfort and strength, or examples of Robert's responsive heart and his deep attachment to Mr. Petersen. A warmhearted, tender, and nuanced story that offers even more depth upon reflection and rereading, The House at the End of the Road would be perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful picture book titles such as A House That Once Was, House Held Up by Trees, or The Visitor.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of OwlKids Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
September 11, 2019
Three cousins staying with their grandmother for the summer think a nearby house is spooky. Their grandmother corrects them, and introduces them to the owner, her old school teacher, Mr. Peterson. When he gets sick and his old house is condemned, the kids decide to find a way to preserve the memories of the old house for Mr. Peterson.
I love a good intergenerational story. This one not only tackles the assumptions about an old rundown house (by the way, I love the way Mr. Peterson plays on their assumptions and teaches them a lesson), it also shows that old things and people can still have value. And that there are wonderful experiences to be had from intergenerational relationships. Both the kids and the adults get a lot out of their time together. It’s a charmingly illustrated, heartfelt story about a beautiful friendship and fun cousin experiences. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good intergenerational story. This one not only tackles the assumptions about an old rundown house (by the way, I love the way Mr. Peterson plays on their assumptions and teaches them a lesson), it also shows that old things and people can still have value. And that there are wonderful experiences to be had from intergenerational relationships. Both the kids and the adults get a lot out of their time together. It’s a charmingly illustrated, heartfelt story about a beautiful friendship and fun cousin experiences. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2019
Three cousins are visiting grandma for the summer. They find an old house at the end of the road and see what they think is a ghost. Turns out to be Mr. Peterson. They become regular visitors to Mr. Peterson's house over the summer and truly enjoy his treasures and his company. Then Mr. Peterson is forced to move to a retirement community and all of his stuff is gone. The kids create mementos for him.
I really enjoyed this story and the message about intergenerational friendships. Kids can learn a lot from older generations and it is nice to see kids doing this. However, it seems like Mr. Peterson was forced from his home and all his possessions were just dumped. Did he want to go? Who made him leave? It didn't look like he couldn't take care of himself or like he had major medical issues. Intuitive kids will ask why Mr. Peterson left his home. Unfortunately, this story does not answer that question.
I really enjoyed this story and the message about intergenerational friendships. Kids can learn a lot from older generations and it is nice to see kids doing this. However, it seems like Mr. Peterson was forced from his home and all his possessions were just dumped. Did he want to go? Who made him leave? It didn't look like he couldn't take care of himself or like he had major medical issues. Intuitive kids will ask why Mr. Peterson left his home. Unfortunately, this story does not answer that question.
October 26, 2023
A touching story of the unlikely friendship between an elderly man and a group of kids on their summer holiday at their Grandma's house. The cover makes you think this will be a creepy Halloween vibe book, but it will surprise you with its themes. There's a grumpy/moody/impulsive kid who has a lovely moment in the book. This bond forms in the magic of the memories that fill this old man's home .Then suddenly, he is taken away from his home—it gives a young reader a bit of a scare. I think that scare with the sweetness of the intergenerational friendship mixed with the magic of summer on some of the pages, it works really well
December 11, 2023
Three cousins visiting their grandma come upon an old run-down house that they assume is empty. They are dramatically proven wrong, but soon go back and make friends with the elderly gentleman that lives there. He helps them explore the treasures of the house, helping they find new hobbies and adventures. However, when the old man is forced to move, can the cousins do anything to keep the wonder of his house alive?
A really sweet book on finding out about and treasuring the stories of the past and seeing people who are often overlooked.
No content issues; and the elderly man doesn't die at the end, his living circumstances just change.
August 30, 2020
Nice little story for 2nd grade and younger. Good lesson on not judging homes and people for kids. I like that the kids grandma goes back with the kids to apologize for the broken window. The elderly man who lives in the house is very generous to the children, giving them gifts before they leave. The children thoughtfully make him a nice package of his home as he has been sent to an assisted living facility before they go back home. Illustrations were nice!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchamge for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchamge for a fair review.
March 5, 2020
Three children staying with their grandmother discover that her neighbor is not as scary as he seems. Good intergenerational friendship story, but ending seemed abrupt. Teachers could use this to have kids write to continue the story.
March 6, 2021
I thought this was a good book to explain that even old things can hold treasure or something valuable to someone and not everything lasts, things get old and worn and no longer work or are safe. But a memory can suffice in its place.
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