Mr Rouse Builds His House

This tiny book, originally published in 1950, tells the story of Mr. Rouse, who has decided to build himself a house. Inevitably, the process is much longer and more detailed than Mr. Rouse initially envisions: “Mr. Builder, I’m not a bird, you know; how could I live in a house made of leaves?”

This quirky tale from 1950 takes readers through the process of choosing building types and making all kinds of decisions. In a wonderful blend of absurd poetry and pragmatism, Mr. Rouse contends with building materials, transportation, lighting, and plumbing, encountering quarreling stairs and dapper gutters on his way.