Too Many Visitors for One Little House by Susan Chodakiewitz: Book Review

I was invited by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours to review "Too Many Visitors for One Little House" by Susan Chodakiewitz. Thanks so much Dorothy for the opportunity to have such a great reading experience from this delightful children's book... I loved it!

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When Susan wrote Too Many Visitors for One Little House she hit the ball way out of the park with this one! You have a winner, in my opinion, when you combine family with pets, music, and food! Being Greek I instantly bonded with Susan's El Camino Street family. You know what I mean if you saw the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"!!!



The book begins with an introduction of family members who are new to El Camino Street. There is a mom and dad, three kids and a fish. Let's add some teenage cousins, a toddler, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles, a baby, Nanny and a dog! With the pinching of cheeks, because Greeks do that as well, I knew I was comfortable and at home with a good read!

Too Many Visitors for One Little House is a fun, loving picture book. Being a piano teacher, I was happy to see so many talented family members all playing their instruments together. I was thinking of my own family because my hubby plays the guitar and so does my Cousin Billy. I love family reunions and our last one was at Snowbird in Utah. Does your family have reunions?

Well, the story goes on and touches upon feeling left out, visiting a family and yes, resolving a conflict with love and hospitality. I must mention that the illustrations hand-drawn with digital color are so sweet, colorful and cleverly done with delightful faces of charming personalities, like real babushka dolls! And I must warn you, most definitely you will join in with your children and grandchildren repeating this rhyme together, similar to "no more monkeys jumping on my bed", to the tune of " Too Many Visitors for One Little House"!

* Susan Chodakiewitz





I am very impressed with Susan's background. She is one mega talented young lady! I learned that Susan is a writer, composer and a producer. Susan writes children's books, music and lyrics for musical theater. She has produced various staged readings of new musicals in Los Angeles and has collaborated on various projects for film and television. Susan is on the Advisory Board of the Academy for new Musical Theater in Los Angeles.



I think the above logo is a great visual for what Susan is all about. Susan is the founder of Booksicals Children’s Books- Encouraging the love of reading through the arts. Through her company Booksicals, she has created the Booksicals on Stage literacy program which is currently presenting musical performances of the picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House at schools, libraries, and special events. Visit her website at:
http://www.booksicals.com

Now this is where I get real excited because as a child my Mom always took me to see musicals at "Circle in the Round" and also "Starlight Opera" in San Diego. I loved drama and choir in high school and also playing the piano. Music and books, oh yes, what a world of wonder and delight! In my piano studio, I have a special place for this book and I plan on encouraging my students to buy this book and read it because I am passionate about music education and children's literature.


Susan's life runs parallel with similarities to her book. Susan lives in a lively household filled with music, three sons, a husband, a Dalmatian and lots of visitors. Susan loves picture books and when she wrote a musical based on one of her favorites, she realized it was time to start writing her own picture books. Too Many Visitors for One Little House is Susan’s debut book.



Susan is also offering a Name the Dog Contest at:

http://www.booksicals.com/name-the-familys-new-dog

My Rating: 5+ stars (a home run!)

Read More Reviews:

By Elise Daniel (Durham, NH United States) -

As a librarian, this book has all the elements for a good read! The tone is fun and upbeat, the characters varied, and the connection with children's' busy and hectic lives real. The lively illustrations perfectly complement the "Too many visitors for one little house" refrain, which is a line I expect young children will be repeating as they read or listen to the book. Bravo to the author and illustrator of this whimsical, charming book!

Carol Duan, Librarian, writes:

The professional cast of Booksicals presented a very clever and exciting weaving of dramatic theater and picture book. The music was a delight as well! The cast of “Too Many Visitors for One Little House” interpreted the story so well and presented it with such perfection that they enthralled the packed audience of mostly preschoolers and captured the attention of infants and adults as well! …I can just picture the many children that will be asking for the story to be read and re-read to them throughout our community. Now that’s success! The author, Susan Chodakiewitz, is enthusiastic and totally dedicated to her craft of storytelling. I highly recommend the Booksicals performance of “Too Many Visitors for One Little House” to anyone wishing to promote the love of reading in children.

Carol Duan, Robertson Branch Manager, Los Angeles Public Library

This is what Educator, Tzippy Ravnoy has to say… The musical performance of “Too Many Visitors for One Little House” was amazing! My kids loved it - from my - 4yr old to my 10yr. old! Gitty made me read her the story 4 times tonight!!! They love the music and can’t stop singing it. We went on the website and can’t wait to download the recording. Congratulations!

Tzippy Ravony, Educator at Kreative Kids, a division of Jewish Learning Academy of Los Angeles


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Product Details

* Paperback: 40 pages
* Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (February 11, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1419654705
* ISBN-13: 978-1419654701

Product Description

The crabby neighbors of El Camino Street are not very happy when cousins, aunts, uncles, and grannies arrive for a big noisy reunion at the house of the new family on the block.

I loved the warmth and fun in this story. The illustrations were bright and inviting. We get to see what goes on in a fun family's home, when some interesting visitors arrive. I'd love to be a part of the happenings during their stay.

This heartwarming story and colorful illustrations will make any reader, young and old, smile. We can all relate to family gatherings and sharing good food and good times together. The smell of the apple strudel and the sound of the dog barking jump off the pages and puts you into the house with all of the relatives and neighbors.

As a librarian, this book has all the elements for a good read! The tone is fun and upbeat, the characters varied, and the connection with children's' busy and hectic lives real. The lively illustrations perfectly complement the "Too many visitors for one little house" refrain, which is a line I expect young children will be repeating as they read or listen to the book. Bravo to the author and illustrator with this whimsical, charming book!

This beautiful picture book tells a delightful tale of grumpy neighbors being won over by too many delightful visitors in one small house. Veronica Walsh's engaging illustrations bring to life the personalities and quirks of each visitor who arrives in this rollicking story about family, fun, and neighborhoods. (I can't decide whether my favorite is the tail-wagging dog or the ever-prepared grandparents!)


Too Many Visitors For One Little House

Thanks, Susan, you're awesome! I look forward to reading more great books from you!

Best wishes and much continued success,
~ LadyD

P.S. Reading Susan's book was perfect timing because my trees were bursting with apples and on Susan's blog she offers a free recipe from Nanny... Enjoy!

http://www.booksicals.com






-- LadyD