Microshelters: 59 Creative Cabins, Tiny Houses, Tree Houses, and Other Small Structures Paperback – August 31, 2015

I received this book as an early birthday present from my daughter, Belle, a few days ago. My head and heart have been pouring over it for two days now and I love it!I am a THOW (tiny house on wheels) designer/builder/dweller. I own several versions of Deek’s books and all of them evidence his effluvient creative spirit and inventive use of resources. Back in 2012, when I attended his workshop (and slept in the Gypsy Junker, page 142), there were only a few books on the market on tiny houses and/or plans.This Rennaissance man (father, builder, designer, musician, artist, boy scout leader, community founder) has authored several previous books that are chock full of his amazing drawings and unconventional dream shacks. This publication stands out as a wonderful collection of many micro-shelters around the country that he has filmed and includes some structures we have built in his workshops. Deek’s writing style is charming and his observations succinct. A plethora of tiny shelters are presented with each of their customized storage innovations and construction materials in bold living color.I highly recommend it as a first book to any tiny house enthusiast for all of its tips on tools, salvaging strategy, construction basics, micro shelter plans and affordable décor ideas. Whether you are planning to construct a backyard tree house, mini-studio, office or a year-round tiny home, this book needs to be in your hands, dog-eared, enjoyed, used, and cherished for years to come.Those of us who live in tiny houses are very minimal in what stuff we keep. I have only 30 treasured books in my 184 square foot tiny house on wheels; and this is the third one from Deek! He inspired me three years ago to fulfill my Silver Bullet Tiny House challenge, and I passionately believe Deek’s micro shelters book will inspire you too!

I have a collection of tiny house books which includes Deek's first book that I so loved because it was filled with such playfulness and imagination. This book with its full color pictures and eclectic sensibilities is so inspiring I could hardly sleep after reading it too close to bedtime. Still there are his comic book drawings of wacky shelter ideas, but the pictures of the actual building feats are so deliciously real that my mind enters another realm.This latest book distinguishes itself with a broad scope of buildings from simple shacks to ones on trailers to tree houses to push carts. Not only is it a collection of notable like minded shelters across the country, but it includes many of Deek's own wonderful designs. Deek delights the eye with his sense of color and design. He even offers decorating advice. Coupled with his frugal salvage-collecting sensibilities every project embodies an eco ethic and available-materials driven direction that makes every build a unique work of art.The handful of solution oriented plans at the end push the envelope as to what it is possible to live in in terms of real world utility. In particular the Woodsy Wagon pushcart and the Permatent with its outside kitchen and shower. These plans drawn up by Deek and others conjure up the spirit of the tiny house community in terms of a larger movement. But this is the book that really makes me want to get up and build something for the pure joy of it. Deek shows me in his colorful photos of every detail of these micro shelters and in his layman's terms (and plenty of made up ones too), how easily it can be done.

This book is mostly examples of completed in a few pages, but 3-4 pages each of 59 working examples makes for a pretty full book. There are just about any variation of a micro shelter/house/playhouse/tree house. Many of them have schematics or drawings of net little features. If you are looking for ideas this is a very handy little book at a reasonable price. I have gotten many concepts from it.

I've been interested in tiny buildings for years. Deek's book is loaded with all kinds of info, diagrams, floor plans, and suggestions. Best of all are the photos. Deek is a master, and his book was worth more than I paid.

Derek "Deek" Diedricksen is a true creative genius. Not only are his visual depictions and photos of his own microshelters and those of others stunning, his written words, in true deek-speak fashion, bring out his personality. It is almost as if you are there with him exploring with total wonderment these amazing and whimsical small abodes. There is something truly primal that this book reaches in your soul. I don't know if it is from our past ancestors living in trees or caves, but this book ignites a spark of creativity in us all to truly go out and make a space where we can kick back and relax, away from hectic modernity and the stresses that accompany the modern world. One word of warning, if your children get their hands on this book, they will be pulled away from their televisions and PS4s or Xboxes, they will want to build something that requires true imagination and skill. Buy this book and prepare to embark on a journey with your "boom stick" in hand on a mission in primal creativity; you will not be disappointed.