The Amazing Glass House: A Haiku Storybook

The Great Easter Sunday Blizzard, 1970

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It is that time of year. March. It is almost spring, the snow is beginning to melt, the crocus are blooming, and Easter is around the corner. In Pittsburgh, that means a trip to the Spring Flower Show at The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! 

Phipps is one of my favorite places in the world. The flowers, the brick pathways, the fountains, and the mysterious cactus room, draw me back to my childhood and beyond. Six generations of my family have visited Phipps since it was built in 1893, by Henry Phipps Junior, as a gift to the people of Pittsburgh. But that's all in the book! 

If you love amazing illustrations, a good story, a little history, and haiku poetry, this book is for you. And who better to write it than me, born and raised in Pittsburgh, the place where I'm from. Pittsburgh is someplace special for so many reasons. You should visit! Or buy the book!! Pittsburghers get it!

I will be posting illustrations and text from The Amazing Glass House, in March and April. Stop by and take a look. If you are from Pittsburgh or have visited Phipps Conservatory, and you have a story or comment, please type it in the contact section of the blog! I want to know what you think!

hopefully,

Susan

3:16


What people are saying about The Amazing Glass House!

Lori Ramsey
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Slice of History of Phipps Conservatory in PITTSBURGH
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
If you love PITTSBURGH and its landmarks, then this little book is for you. It is a Children's book describing the author's happy memories exploring PHIPPS CONSERVATORY in Pittsburgh as a child. The illustrations are bright and playful depicting different rooms in PHIPPS. My favorite the cactus room, or maybe the gift shop. The author provides a bit of history of how the Conservatory came to be and depicts various rooms. If you love Phipps, you will love the illustrations.

A NEW GENRE - the book is a Children's Picture Book, a non-fiction type, telling of Phipps, BUT the author is an accomplished Haiku Poet and Haiku poems are sprinkled throughout. Very clever. If you love the Burgh, you will love this little book for your children.

 

Melanie Faith
5.0 out of 5 stars An Informative Historical and Literary Children's Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2019 Susan Beth Furst's haiku storybook has a wonderful, historical story about an important Pittsburgh landmark as well as excellent haiku. The vivid illustrations and informative, lively text will educate and entertain children and their adults as well. Lovely work, and a great collection to any library. A must-read! 

Tia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Way to Introduce Haiku
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2019I recently read this to my 4yo and 3yo daughters. The illustrations are charming and as a haiku poet I found the incorporation of haiku into the story a delightfully subtle way to introduce the form to young children. Our family is fond of our local botanical gardens so my girls were right at home in the story and engaged. This is a wonderful little book that we will be reading over and over again.



A Note to my friends:

Welcome back to Beautiful Defect! I have been gone for a while, getting a knee replaced. I am recovering well and ready to launch a new and improved website! The author's page will update you on my current books and projects, including illustrations and snippets from my books. You can find my latest poetry and some oldies but goodies on the poetry page. I love to post inspirational quotes, short stories, and sometimes I talk about Jesus, the author of everything! Mostly, my blog is here to encourage you. And when you comment, or just stop by, I am encouraged! A double blessing! Maybe you will want to participate in some of the writing/poetry challenges I have in mind. I'm sure I could think of a suitable prize!! And of course publication on Beautiful Defect!

hopefully,

Susan