A Very Special House
By Ruth Krauss
The Story
A boy imagines a very special house — one built entirely from his own head — where a turtle, a dead mouse, and an old lion can all move in, and nobody ever says stop.
Why It's Special
For the kid who never wants playtime, bedtime rules, or bath time to end, this book hands over the one place where nothing ever has to stop.
- Big idea: Imagination is a house with no walls — and no grown-up telling you to quiet down.
- Vibes: Wild, gleeful, unbounded, a little chaotic in the best way
Perfect For Kids Who
- love pretend play and made-up worlds
- enjoy silly, unexpected details like a dead mouse or an old lion
- respond well to rhythmic, repeating language
- are working on expressing what they wish they could do without limits
Ask Your Little Reader
- Imagination: If you could build your own very special house, who or what would you bring inside?
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think the boy wants a house where nobody ever says stop?
- Real-life connection: Is there a rule at home you wish didn't exist, just for one day?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the boy feels when he imagines his special house?
- Imagination: What would it be like to live with a turtle, a mouse, and an old lion all under one roof?
