Rules of the House

Ian always follows rules, while his sister Jenny breaks them at every opportunity. When their family visits a remote vacation house in the woods, they discover a list of strict house rules that must be followed by all guests. The siblings respond to the rules in their typical opposing ways, leading to mounting tension. Strange events begin occurring in and around the house, forcing Ian and Jenny to reckon with the consequences of their choices. This illustrated children's book merges elements of haunted house stories with sibling dynamics. The artwork creates an atmosphere that shifts between cozy and unsettling as the story progresses. At its core, Rules of the House explores questions about when to follow rules and when to break them, suggesting that neither absolute conformity nor complete rebellion serves us best.

Readers describe the story as a fun take on following rules versus breaking them. Parents report their children request repeat readings and engage with the message about sibling dynamics. Liked: - Matt Myers' detailed illustrations, especially facial expressions - Humor that appeals to both kids and adults - Message about rules without being preachy - Works well as a read-aloud Disliked: - Some found the supernatural elements too scary for young children - A few felt the ending was predictable - Minor complaints about price vs. page length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (150+ ratings) Sample review: "The expressions on Ian's face as his sister breaks every single rule are priceless. My 4-year-old asks for this one over and over." - Goodreads user "Fun story but the ghost parts scared my 3-year-old. Better for slightly older kids." - Amazon reviewer

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🏠 "Rules of the House" was illustrated by Matt Myers, whose detailed artwork brings an eerie but playful atmosphere to the story's haunted vacation home setting. 🌲 The story takes place in a cabin in the woods, a setting Mac Barnett chose to tap into both childhood memories of family vacations and classic horror movie elements. 📚 Author Mac Barnett has written more than 40 children's books and has won multiple awards, including two Caldecott Honors and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award. 🎭 The book plays with the common sibling dynamic of one rule-following child and one rule-breaking child, but gives it a supernatural twist. 🏆 The book received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, with particular praise for its blend of humor and spooky elements that appeal to young readers without being too frightening.