# This House, Once - Hardcover

by **Deborah Freedman** (Author), **Deborah Freedman** (Illustrator)

****"Tender, comforting, and complex." --_Kirkus Reviews_ (starred review)  
"Drawn with exquisite precision and quiet dashes of humor." --_Publishers Weekly_ (starred review)  
"A lovely, ruminative selection." --_School Library Journal_ (starred review)  
"A blueprint for mindfulness and gratitude for the homes in which we...live." --_The New York Times Book Review_****

Deborah Freedman's masterful new picture book is at once an introduction to the pieces of a house, a cozy story to share and explore, and a dreamy meditation on the magic of our homes and our world.

Before there was this house,  
there were stones,  
and mud,  
and a colossal oak tree--  
three hugs around  
and as high as the blue.

What was your home, once?

This poetically simple, thought-provoking, and gorgeously illustrated book invites readers to think about where things come from and what nature provides.

### Author Biography

Deborah Freedman once _was_ a child who liked to swing on swings. Now, she _is_ an author-illustrator of picture books for children. She lives in a colorful house in Connecticut, where, from her favorite writing chair, she has watched blooms, storms, and moons come and go. You can learn more about Deborah and her books--including _Blue Chicken_; _The Story of Fish & Snail_; _Shy_; _This House, Once_; and _Is Was_\--at DeborahFreedman.net.

**Number of Pages:** 40

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 10.4 x 8.3 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** February 28, 2017

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** This House, Once

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 3

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 17.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 17.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- This House, Once - Hardcover

---

> Source: [Smart supply deals](https://smartsupplydeals.com/products/this-house-once-hardcover)
> Updated: 2026-07-23