The Humongous Humdingle Family and the Tiny House

The Humongous Humdingle Family and the Tiny House

Michelle Wilson

P. J. Reece

EK Books, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A27.99

9781922539922

With three generations – Grandma and Grandad, Mum and Dad, the four children – and a host of pets living in the same small house, things can get a bit frantic for the Humdingle family, particularly as there is only one couch, one television, on bicycle, one car, table, one toilet and only ONE bedroom.  But even though it is squishy and noisy, it is never lonely boring. 

While the adults might be okay with the situation, each of the children wish it were different – being able to choose their own television shows, not having to listen to Grandad’s snoring, not finding the toilet occupied every time you need to use it… Until the day Mum wishes that “humongous houses dropped from the sky.”

This is definitely a book based on the old adage of “Be careful what you wish for” because even though the family suddenly has all the space they need and want, things are not quite as perfect as they hoped.  With teachers’ notes offering lots of ideas  to explore the story further, this is an engaging story for readers to think about appreciating what they already have rather than always wishing for and wanting bigger, better and newer – sadly, a trait in this consumeristic, throw-away, keep-up-with-the Joneses society.  With their lives being bombarded by advertising through every medium possible, our children seem unable to escape the message that they are only worthwhile if they have the latest and greatest, so this is an opportunity to step back and through the Humdingles’ experience, reflect on those things that really matter for happiness. after all, how enduring is the buzz of opening something new?  Perhaps they might even be encouraged to do an audit and a cull of their “stuff” and rehome it . Imagine the learning involved in their organising a class garage sale that raised funds for a chosen charity.

This is an ideal companion to The All New Must Have Orange 430 and an important addition to any unit that focuses on consumerism and humans’ impact on the planet, including loss of animals habitats because of urban sprawl.