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15th out of 26 books
—
5 voters
The Biggest House in the World
by
Leo Lionni
A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure an...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
August 12th 1973
by Dragonfly Books
(first published March 12th 1968)
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The Biggest House in the World is the story of a snail who wants to have a huge house. His father tells him a story about another little snail who was advised by his own father to "keep his house light and easy to carry". The little snail in the story figures out how to twitch and make his shell grow and grow and grow until, of course, he can no longer move.
Wisely, the first little snail realizes that a small house is really the way to go. This is a cautionary tale, but one my students really en...more
Wisely, the first little snail realizes that a small house is really the way to go. This is a cautionary tale, but one my students really en...more
When I was a child this book stirred my imagination like no other. Living in the woods, as we did at the time - I would search for magical colors wherever snails had been. The illustrations posses a sophistication reminiscent of the etchings from "Cabinet of Curiosities."
Leo Lionni seems to love to write message-laden books. In this book, a snail wishes for a big house. His father tells a story about a snail who got a big, beautiful house. But then the snails fades away and the house crumbles. (Meanwhile, my son is saying, "Fades away????? What does that mean?????" Uh....)
Anyway, the point is that a small house is good because we can be free, free, free. Personally, I think a small house sucks and I want a big beautiful house. I asked my son and he wants a mediu...more
Anyway, the point is that a small house is good because we can be free, free, free. Personally, I think a small house sucks and I want a big beautiful house. I asked my son and he wants a mediu...more
I happen to agree with the message that we don't need big heavy houses or other possessions but will be healthier if we live more simply and freely. And I like the illustrations - not as bright and simple as much of Lionni's work, but almost like a prettier version of what Bill Peet often does. (I'm not an artist - maybe there's a name for that technigue, if so please comment to let us know. :)
This is sort of a harsh one. Although I agree that we should apply moderation in our life, not give in to vanity or let things get out of hand, I really felt for the little snail as he "faded away". He really put a lot of effort, ingenuity and artistry into building his wonderful house: " ... by squeezing and pushing, and by wishing very hard, he was able to add bright colors and beautiful designs." By simply "wishing" he pulled off all these things, it seems there must have been some purpose to...more
Apr 11, 2012
Lucero Hernandez
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
adjectives,
animals,
circle-time,
differences,
father,
kindergarten,
math,
picture-books,
prekindergarten,
science
A little snail with a small shell longs for a bigger home. The father tells the little snail a story about a snail who also wanted a bigger home, the shell became too big that the snail could not search for food or move. Finally, the little snail decides that a small shell is not so bad after all. This would be a great book to introduce size to students. What is big or small in relation to this object? The book has great illustrations.
When my kids ask me to read to them, they are torturing me. Except when it is a Leo Lionni book. This book however is problematic. I see snails on the sidewalk sometimes. Snails don't really talk. And they don't really have shells that are gigantic. If you intend to read this book be prepared to put up with all kinds of anatomical nonsense and additional scientific inaccuracies. Good writing should have an air of plausibility that this work lacks. Sorry Leo. I have to call 'em like I see 'em.
Science:
This story follows the life of snails and shells, the biggest houses in the world. The story would be enjoyable for kids because all kids love shells and they often yearn to learn about animals. The story is fiction since the animals talk, this adds element of innocence, fun, and lightheartedness to the story.
This story follows the life of snails and shells, the biggest houses in the world. The story would be enjoyable for kids because all kids love shells and they often yearn to learn about animals. The story is fiction since the animals talk, this adds element of innocence, fun, and lightheartedness to the story.
Oct 28, 2011
Melanie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children-s-literature,
picture-book,
snails,
houses,
storytelling,
fathers-sons,
dwellings,
parent-child
A father snail tells his son the story of a snail who made his house so big and bulky he couldn't move around. So the snail with the biggest house in the world withered away because he couldn't find food. The small snail understood the story and vowed to keep his shell at a movable size.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A snail wants to build the biggest house ever, but when his father tells him a story about a snail who built a house so big that he couldn't move to new food, the sanil is happy with his tiny shell.
another kids' winner. simple, timeless lesson about material things and how they weigh you down in life.
The story about a snail that built his shell up larger and large until he could not move.
Wonderful reminder to travel lightly . . .
house, snails, greed
The biggest house in the world is the story of a snail who wishes to have the biggest house in the world, as he travels he creates a large shell, a colored shell and a spiky shell. Sadly his home becomes so heavy that he can travel any longer.
I enjoy this book because of the colorful illustrations and the theme learning how to survive without having the biggest and best of things. Simple is best.
I enjoy this book because of the colorful illustrations and the theme learning how to survive without having the biggest and best of things. Simple is best.
This story had a good message and I liked the way it was told. I also loved the illustrations, especially how Leo drew the little snails, they were just so cute. I would recommend this book.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
Can be used with grades K-4 to teach about sizes during Math. It's about a snail who wishes that he had the biggest house in the world. But he later found that this might not be such a great idea. He finds out having a big house will be a disaster for him.
Some things are better small.
Aesops tale sort of fell
May 14, 2013
Danitrang
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Cindy Scott
marked it as to-read
Apr 22, 2013
B-rad Parr
marked it as to-read
Apr 12, 2013
Igraine
marked it as bilderbuecher
Apr 03, 2013
Ryota
added it
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FROM PUBLISHER:
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international...more
More about Leo Lionni...
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international...more
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