The House That Jack Built
Age 4+
Picture Storybooks Picture Books Picture Books: Character Books
This is the dog
That worried the cat
That killed the rat
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
The House that Jack Built is a book with two strands. The main rhythmic text, based on the well-known rhyme, tells the story of Jack Bull, who travels to New Zealand from London as a new settler in 1798.
The illustrations tell the story from a Maori perspective—beginning with the creation story of Papatuanuku and Ranginui and showing the changing environment and cultural impact.
The juxtaposition tells a poignant and thought-provoking story of colonisation.
Creators
Gavin Bishop ONZM, Tainui, Ngati Awa, is a leading Maori illustrator living in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has published more than seventy books internationally, which have been translated into twelve languages. His awards include the Sir Kingi Ihaka award for lifetime contribution to Maori art and culture.
Reviews
There is pleasure to be found at many levels in this splendid book.
Magpies Magazine
The old nursery rhyme is brought brilliantly to life in a colonial setting … It just gets better with each rereading.
The Listener
A complex weaving together of the nursery rhyme with the cultural, historical and environmental context. It’s not a quick read, to barrel through it one would miss so much. It’s rather a thought-provoking book to savour, discuss and debate, and revisit with your family.
Saturday Express
