Andrew Henry's Meadow - A Unique Creation

Andrew Henry's Meadow 

Author and illustrator: Doris Burn

In today's world where it is made compulsory to follow a set of rules, either at home, school or wherever you are, there live a group of children who don't want or like to follow those ( defaulters or rule breakers as they say ) it doesn't mean they are breakers, they are creators who want to make their own set of rules. This classic written in 1965 is about one such child who is unique. Read a short story synopsis and the book review here

Story:

Andrew Henry Thatcher lives with his parents and siblings in Stubbsville, being the middle child he had two older sisters and two younger brothers. 

His mom is always busy in the kitchen and his father with work, two older sisters are busy with new dresses or hairstyles and two younger brothers with toys and colouring books, he was always left with himself, but he never minded, because he had plenty of things to do. 

Andrew likes to build things, from a helicopter in the kitchen to an eagle nest in the living room, but his parents don't like it, so he has to remove them, when he builds a merry-go-round and hitches with his sister's sewing machine they shout on him to remove it right away when he builds a system of pulleys in his room which he shares with his brothers, they cry that " you are always spoiling our fun, Andrew ". 

So one fine spring morning Andrew makes up his mind to build a house of his own and leaves the house with his tools. Faraway in the meadow Andrew builds up his house, not only for himself, but also for eight more children.

The reason why all the other children left their homes, how they get reunited with their parents and whether their uniqueness is accepted and appreciated is the rest of the story. 

Review

Every child is unique, they have their own qualities which may be different from other children. It has to be understood and should be appreciated especially by the parents. Fantastic Illustrations which are done with pen and ink, add more value to the story. We liked the way Andrew's character has been portrayed, very courageous and has a never-give-up attitude, he follows what his heart says irrespective of whether it makes others happy or not. The entire story reminds us of the famous quote " Why fit in when you were born to stand out "