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This Is the House That Was Tidy and Neat
This is the house
At the end of the street
That was tidy and neat
When Mom left . . .
A delicious romp that starts with a mouse, and ends with a . . . mess!
This is the house that was tidy and neat. But not for long! After a wacky chain of events involving a mouse, a cat, a dog, a boy, and a girl-not to mention crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills-the neat and tidy house is in chaos. What will happen when Mom comes home?
At the end of the street
That was tidy and neat
When Mom left . . .
A delicious romp that starts with a mouse, and ends with a . . . mess!
This is the house that was tidy and neat. But not for long! After a wacky chain of events involving a mouse, a cat, a dog, a boy, and a girl-not to mention crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills-the neat and tidy house is in chaos. What will happen when Mom comes home?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 5, 2020
Alena and I really enjoyed this book. It was the favorite of the books we read a couple of days ago. The illustrations are fabulous and the rhymes are just right. The idea that the house is "tidy and neat" before and after Mom is home is cute. Also, Dad takes a great role in making that happen. Perfect.
I put this one on hold because I've enjoyed other works by Teri Sloat.
I put this one on hold because I've enjoyed other works by Teri Sloat.
April 10, 2011
..."At the end of the street that was tidy and neat when mom left."... This repeating line along with the humorous pictures can help students predict what might happen throughout and at the end of the story! This story line reminds me slightly of "The Cat and the Hat". When the mom leaves, the house is destroyed and must be cleaned up before mom returns. What connections can you students make to this book. Will they find text-to-text connections as I saw or maybe text-to-self connections. Let this be an entertaining read aloud, but leave room for discussion. Students will want to share their stories too!
September 15, 2020
While mama is away, the children make a mess. The ending cracks me up...highly unlikely that the mess would be cleaned up before she comes back. In the real world, Mom would come back and have to clean it up.
December 21, 2017
Terrible nanny ;-P
December 8, 2021
Spoiler alert, dad makes dinner. 😉
March 8, 2025
A cumulative tale told in rhyme of a series of wacky mishaps and chain reactions that happens when a mother leaves a neat and tidy house to go about business for the day.
January 3, 2014
A cumulative story about a house that starts neat, becomes messy from two kids and some animals, and is cleaned up again before Mom comes home. Although the characters wear old-fashioned clothing, it appears that Mom is gone all day at work (she has a briefcase). Dad gets home before her, spearheads the cleaning project, and cooks dinner. The cartoon illustrations leave plenty of blank space around the text. Unfortunately, the children stay unrealistically clean throughout and the messy house could have been pictured more dramatically. Written in rhyme, the book is an appropriate read aloud for preschoolers.
February 5, 2013
Best for kids ages 4 and up.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Phonological Awareness, Narrative Skills
From cover:
This is the house
At the end of the street
That was tidy and neat
When Mom left . . .
But not for long! After a wacky chain of events involving a mouse, a cat, a dog, a boy, and a girl - not to mention crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills - the neat and tidy house is in chaos. What will happen when Mom comes home?
In the tradition of This is the House that Jack built comes this whimsical tale with vibrant and energetic illustrations.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Phonological Awareness, Narrative Skills
From cover:
This is the house
At the end of the street
That was tidy and neat
When Mom left . . .
But not for long! After a wacky chain of events involving a mouse, a cat, a dog, a boy, and a girl - not to mention crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills - the neat and tidy house is in chaos. What will happen when Mom comes home?
In the tradition of This is the House that Jack built comes this whimsical tale with vibrant and energetic illustrations.
May 31, 2014
Excellence in picture books right here! The best rendition of "The House That Jack Built" ever! The art is fantastic. Lots of little things to stop and pay attention to. I wouldn't mind adding this one to my personal collection.
August 6, 2009
This was a fun variation on the traditional "House that Jack Built" and a fun read-aloud with fun illustrations.
December 7, 2011
A tidy little house quickly becomes a disaster area after the mother leaves for the day. Thank goodness the dad gets home to clean up right before the mother returns.
November 16, 2012
PB-30
Such a warming story. Loved the part where everyone pitched in to clean up the house in time for the mom to arrive and let her relax:)
Such a warming story. Loved the part where everyone pitched in to clean up the house in time for the mom to arrive and let her relax:)
January 16, 2014
After a series of mishaps involving crumbs, drips, splatters, and spills, the neat and tidy house that Mom left is a mess.
November 2, 2014
There is something really endearing about this book. The dad is involved, definitely both parents share roles-- it reminds me in some ways of us. Cute and fun.
April 11, 2015
Where did mom go? Why was the nanny napping? Why are the children misbehaving? No idea! Two stars because I liked the illustrator's style, but this one is going back without the kiddos reading it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews