This is definitely one of my favorite picture books of all time! It is the story of a house built in 1656, and the house itself 'narrates' its history in the first few centuries after it was constructed - it endured the plague, inclement weather, and finally (perhaps most tragically) faces desolation when it is abandoned. However, hope springs again with the passage of time as at the beginning of the 20th century, in the year 1900, the house once again feels "life" seeping back into its structure as humans begin the process of reconstruction.
There are many things to appreciate in this book of wonders (for truly it is a treasure that can be perused and browsed through again and again, yielding new insights each time) - there are the beautiful and poetic quatrains of poet J. Patrick Lewis that tell readers of the transformations taking place over the years, as well as of the events that occur in the house and its surroundings (weddings, war, etc.). All of these are beautifully conveyed through the lyrical quatrains.
Then there are the gorgeous double spreads of the house, beautifully illustrated and pictured with great detail by artist Roberto Innocenti. My five-year-old may not appreciate the deeper meanings within the quatrains, but she loved the illustrations. We spent almost an hour browsing through the pictures, and she found great pleasure in identifying the changes that occurs around the house and within it- as well as other subtle changes, e.g. the fact that the toadstools that are found in abundance slowly give way to other types of vegetation; the changes in people's manner of dressing over the years; even the family cat which changes from one to another! Such treasures to be uncovered - I have never quite read a book like this before and it is one that I can enjoy again and again. This is a work of art and poetry that can be kept and appreciated for years to come, the sort of book I picture handing down through the generations. A true classic indeed!