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A Home Again
After the last brick is laid, a family moves into a brand-new house. As the family grows, the house delights in the sound of laughter echoing in its halls and the pitter-patter of little feet traversing its floors and realizes it is no longer just a house. It has become a home―their home. One day, the family packs up, and with tears in their eyes, they say goodbye. The house doesn’t know if it can ever be happy again until two men appear. It begins to feel a sliver of hope about this new family…perhaps it can become a home once more. Told from the perspective of a house, this story’s heartfelt text and beautiful illustrations convey a warmth of feeling as two families change and grow at different times within the same four walls.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
October 10, 2021
Lovely illustrations and a heartwarming story. This is an LGBTQ childrens' book with the story told from a House's perspective.
The story:
A traditional family lives at the House. When their two children grew older, the family moves away and House was lonely waiting for their return. Strangers come looking at House, it makes all sorts of creaking noises to scare them from entering...but two men weren't afraid. Eventually, the couple moves in, and one day comes back with a baby. House is a home again.
Amazon First (October).
The story:
A traditional family lives at the House. When their two children grew older, the family moves away and House was lonely waiting for their return. Strangers come looking at House, it makes all sorts of creaking noises to scare them from entering...but two men weren't afraid. Eventually, the couple moves in, and one day comes back with a baby. House is a home again.
Amazon First (October).
November 22, 2021
A Home Again is one of those cozy little books that just make you feel warm and fuzzy.
The house tells the story of how, once it was built, welcomed its first inhabitants. As the years passed, it grew with the family and became more than a house. It became a home.
But one day, the family moves out, and new tenants move in. Which the house doesn't like very much. It is grieving after losing its family after all!
As the title suggests, all is well in the end and the story is about the journey.
I loved how we were shown the first family moving in, the children being born and growing up, the sadness after the family had left. Because that made the new love all the more heart-warming.
We all live in more than one place throughout our lives (usually) and we therefore all know the warmth of a place and the sadness when you have to leave it. Many people I know simply live somewhere, but good places aren't just houses or apartments, they are indeed a home and the distinction is important.
Certain feelings are hard to put into words - which is probably why this book worked mostly through illustrations. Cute and adorable ones, of course.
I really enjoyed this a lot and I think it can teach young(er) and old(er) readers alike about the importance and meaning of a home.
The house tells the story of how, once it was built, welcomed its first inhabitants. As the years passed, it grew with the family and became more than a house. It became a home.
But one day, the family moves out, and new tenants move in. Which the house doesn't like very much. It is grieving after losing its family after all!
As the title suggests, all is well in the end and the story is about the journey.
I loved how we were shown the first family moving in, the children being born and growing up, the sadness after the family had left. Because that made the new love all the more heart-warming.
We all live in more than one place throughout our lives (usually) and we therefore all know the warmth of a place and the sadness when you have to leave it. Many people I know simply live somewhere, but good places aren't just houses or apartments, they are indeed a home and the distinction is important.
Certain feelings are hard to put into words - which is probably why this book worked mostly through illustrations. Cute and adorable ones, of course.
I really enjoyed this a lot and I think it can teach young(er) and old(er) readers alike about the importance and meaning of a home.
December 31, 2022
A short little book with a big heart. What makes a house a home?
November 6, 2021
Told from the perspective of a new house, A Home Again can’t help but invite comparisons with the 1942 classic The Little House. The Little House, once in the country, finds itself engulfed in urbanization; in A Home Again, the house rejects any newcomers until one day, it doesn’t. A nice update to a Virginia Lee Burton’s gem.
This lovely book is free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
This lovely book is free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
October 11, 2021
I loved this sad/happy tale of a house that misses its beloved family so much that it refuses to make room for new residents. The illustrations by Valeria Docampo add a touch of warmth. For anyone who has ever loved a home, and wondered if it loved them back.
November 21, 2021
This is a beautiful book. What could be creepy (a seemingly haunted house), is made relatable. Told in first person from the house's POV, a new house is built, welcomes it's first family. They live and grow and many years later move out. The house is desperate and doesn't understand what happened to its family. It doesn't want new people looking around, but then there is a couple that comes and sees it as a wonderful house that just needs some work. They move in, and eventually the house recognizes them for what they are, its new family and it is a home again.
Gorgeous, colorful illustrations.
Gorgeous, colorful illustrations.
November 16, 2021
*read for free with Kindle Unlimited *
Beautiful illustrations and a sweet story:)
4 stars 🌟 🤩 all around
Beautiful illustrations and a sweet story:)
4 stars 🌟 🤩 all around
October 12, 2021
A lovely and warm story about a house's perspective of the families that made it a part of their lives and the joys and sadness felt as life carries on. 4/5
October 4, 2021
6 year old approved
I read this to my grandson and as soon as I finished he said, “give it 5 stars”. He guess what was going to happen at the beginning but was happy with the ending.
I read this to my grandson and as soon as I finished he said, “give it 5 stars”. He guess what was going to happen at the beginning but was happy with the ending.
October 9, 2021
Lovely illustrations but only a few pages. Good as a discussion starter.
October 3, 2021
so engaging!
A heartwarming look at a house that becomes a home from the point-of-view of the home itself. Such a sweet story for young and old alike!
A heartwarming look at a house that becomes a home from the point-of-view of the home itself. Such a sweet story for young and old alike!
October 7, 2021
Children's Book
A cute children's book. I enjoyed the artwork.
At first I thought the bird was the narrator. A very short story.
A cute children's book. I enjoyed the artwork.
At first I thought the bird was the narrator. A very short story.
October 1, 2021
This could possibly be the cutest mini book I've read. It's so wholesome and light-hearted.
A home with memories.
A home with memories.
October 4, 2021
Beautiful Story
Beautiful story with lovely artwork. If LGBTQ+ puts you off keep moving. Those of us who want our children to be loving and inclusive will read this one over and over again.
Beautiful story with lovely artwork. If LGBTQ+ puts you off keep moving. Those of us who want our children to be loving and inclusive will read this one over and over again.
March 5, 2022
Narrated by the house itself, this heartfelt story of a home’s family moving away only to have another inhabit it later. The latter family is a gay couple who adopts a baby, authentic representation of LGBTQ+ without centering their identity as the story. Dreamy illustrations.
October 30, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is A Home Again, written by Colleen Rowan Kosinski and illustrated by Valeria Docampo, a gorgeous meditation on love, loss, hope, and family.
A brand new house eagerly awaits its new owners, and once the family of six (including kitty and baby-to-be) arrive, the house relishes the sounds and smells that fill its once-empty rooms. It delights in watching the family grow and in being such an integral part of their memories, of being cared for and loved. The house is more than a house, it is a home… until the family must move away. Hurt and confused, the house pushes away prospective new owners by making itself creak or lose shingles in their presence, resulting in its sitting empty and alone for a long time. At last, a couple arrives and sees the house’s potential. It tries to push them away as it did the others, but the couple is determined, and they slowly bring the house back to good condition with work and care. And against all odds, the house begins to hope once more to be part of a family… to be a home.
Gorgeous and moving. The concept of what makes a house versus what makes a home is explored wonderfully through the emotional, earnest text and stunning artwork, and that alone makes this a book worth reading, especially for families in the midst of their own transition between homes. What makes this book truly remarkable, however, are the themes of loss, grief, trauma, and healing hidden within the house’s story. The hurt of being left behind by its first family is palpable, as is it’s desire to push away others. Yet the repetition and quiet persistence of the second couple (who are also a wonderfully subtle example of LGBTQ+ representation) reflect how healing begins with letting in those who would care for you. It’s an absolutely beautiful parallel and makes for an extraordinarily layered narrative. In addition, the length is great for a quick storytime, and JJ loved it. This one has all the elements of a great picture book, and we can’t recommend it enough. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
December 1, 2023
Sweet story with colorful illustrations.
October 23, 2021
Sweet Story
This is a simple and sweet story of a family moving away, and the abandoned house desire to be a home again. It’s stories like this that validate why I still have my childhood toy box filled with my most special treasures from growing up. I shed a tear of sorrow and happiness for this home, and all the ones I myself left behind.
This is a simple and sweet story of a family moving away, and the abandoned house desire to be a home again. It’s stories like this that validate why I still have my childhood toy box filled with my most special treasures from growing up. I shed a tear of sorrow and happiness for this home, and all the ones I myself left behind.
December 6, 2021
I was so swept up by the illustrations, I had to read this story several times! It's stunning - both words and pictures.
The story is told from the point of the view of a house, and the personification is imaginative and realistic. There are sad moments, but you can trust the author to deliver a happy ending.
Another big plus is that the families reflect the diversity of family life. I say this as a psychologist and teacher: it's so important that children see their own lives depicted in stories, as well as those different from theirs. It supports identity formation, sense of self-worth and the development of empathy and understanding (pity some of the Amazon reviewers didn't have some...judgemental bigots).
Overall, I recommend this book wholeheartedly. I read the Kindle edition via the cloud reader, so I can't comment on how well it reads on a Kindle, but the colour illustrations will be shown off to better effect in the print edition.
The story is told from the point of the view of a house, and the personification is imaginative and realistic. There are sad moments, but you can trust the author to deliver a happy ending.
Another big plus is that the families reflect the diversity of family life. I say this as a psychologist and teacher: it's so important that children see their own lives depicted in stories, as well as those different from theirs. It supports identity formation, sense of self-worth and the development of empathy and understanding (pity some of the Amazon reviewers didn't have some...judgemental bigots).
Overall, I recommend this book wholeheartedly. I read the Kindle edition via the cloud reader, so I can't comment on how well it reads on a Kindle, but the colour illustrations will be shown off to better effect in the print edition.
October 5, 2021
This is a wonderful children's picture book. A house enjoys being a home, having a family with children living inside its walls. It loves that they are making memories and taking care of the house. But when the family suddenly moves out, the house becomes lonely. Many people stop by, but no one stays. The house is sad and begins to fall apart, lost shingles, cracks in the walls, dirty windows. Who will stay and make it "a home again". The illustrations are beautiful and follow the story well. Children would love this book.
October 3, 2021
This gorgeous books tells the story of a house that becomes a home when a family moves in. But when the family moves out and leaves the house behind, the house is crushed and falls into disrepair. Eventually two men look at the house. They see beyond the creaking floorboards, broken windows, and cracked walls, and move in with their child to make it a home again. This wonderful book celebrates the love that all families bring to a house to make it a home. Highly recommended.
January 23, 2022
#AHomeAgain by @colleenkosinski is a beautiful story about the way a house becomes a home. I’ve actually read it a few times since I got it because the story is just so lovely and the illustrations by @valeriadocampo add to the sweetness.
Since my husband and I recently purchased our first home, the story touched me. I’m one of those people that gives life to everything. I don’t know about you, but I actually say hello and goodbye to my home. I talk to my plants and I talk to my car (I even apologize for going over rough speed bumps). I really feel that everything has a soul. That’s why it’s so difficult for me to part with my childhood stuffed animals. I still have most of them in my childhood toy chest.
If you can relate, pick up this book. It won’t disappoint.
Since my husband and I recently purchased our first home, the story touched me. I’m one of those people that gives life to everything. I don’t know about you, but I actually say hello and goodbye to my home. I talk to my plants and I talk to my car (I even apologize for going over rough speed bumps). I really feel that everything has a soul. That’s why it’s so difficult for me to part with my childhood stuffed animals. I still have most of them in my childhood toy chest.
If you can relate, pick up this book. It won’t disappoint.
November 13, 2021
There are many charms to this story, centered on the idea that the structure itself has feelings, opinions, and agency. That point of view offers a bright mentor text for early writers to develop understanding of voice, and the human characters throughout provide examples of varied body types, loving relationships, and an abundance of warm- hearted gatherings. The physical details of the house invite close examination and provide some visual hooks for young readers. There’s a nice subtext here about giving others a chance and pushing pst loss or pain to open our hearts for new love.
November 2, 2021
When completed the house that tells this story is thrilled to welcome a family into it. The house grows to love the the mom, dad, and three children who pitter-patter, cook, and laugh within its walls. But when the family moves away, the house is heart-broken and does everything in its power to keep anyone else from moving in. When a new family arrives and works to fix up the house, whether the house likes it or not, the house begrudgingly lets the work continue. And when the family grows to become two dads and a child, the house's heart softens further. Eventually the house has to decide whether it is willing to be a home again and not just a house. This sweet, gentle story starts with love, travels through the sorrow of loss, and the walls that loss can bring, before returning back to the power of love again. A lovely addition to stories about what home really means. The illustrator's excellent use of space and light and dark colors highlights the feelings the house experiences as it travels through love, loss, and back to love.
October 10, 2021
While I've been a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to the Amazon First Read selections, almost without fail I find myself utterly enchanted when it comes to their children's books. This continues with Colleen Rowan Kosinski's completely lovely "A Home Again," an inspired 32-page warm and immersive tale targeting the ages 3-7 population of kiddos with an emphasis on diversity and multicultural awareness.
"A Home Again" begins by introducing us to what sounds like a completely lovely house that welcomes its first family and quickly becomes a home. Told from the perspective of the house, "A Home Again" follows the home's journey with the family until one day, as often happens, the family departs their lovely abode with tears in their eyes matched with similar grief by this loving home. The house doesn't know if it can ever be a happy home again until a special couple walks through its doors and begins to love it back to life again.
Sigh. How lovely.
Beautifully illustrated by Valeria Docampo, "A Home Again" is brought tenderly to life by Colleen Rowan Kosinski's affectionate dialogue and gentle spirit. At times, I struggled a bit with font size for the Kindle version of "A Home Again" but this lovely little book was worth every effort to absorb every single word and image.
"A Home Again" is a warm embrace of a story most appropriate for those families who embrace diverse storytelling and multicultural awareness.
"A Home Again" begins by introducing us to what sounds like a completely lovely house that welcomes its first family and quickly becomes a home. Told from the perspective of the house, "A Home Again" follows the home's journey with the family until one day, as often happens, the family departs their lovely abode with tears in their eyes matched with similar grief by this loving home. The house doesn't know if it can ever be a happy home again until a special couple walks through its doors and begins to love it back to life again.
Sigh. How lovely.
Beautifully illustrated by Valeria Docampo, "A Home Again" is brought tenderly to life by Colleen Rowan Kosinski's affectionate dialogue and gentle spirit. At times, I struggled a bit with font size for the Kindle version of "A Home Again" but this lovely little book was worth every effort to absorb every single word and image.
"A Home Again" is a warm embrace of a story most appropriate for those families who embrace diverse storytelling and multicultural awareness.
October 2, 2021
Beautiful.
A very different take on what makes a home and the ideas of family. I found it charming in its own way with a sweet feeling of loss and betrayal from something that was so new I was not yet sure what was going on and the changes that occur. It was young but beautiful with gorgeous artwork that highlighted the story wonderfully!
A very different take on what makes a home and the ideas of family. I found it charming in its own way with a sweet feeling of loss and betrayal from something that was so new I was not yet sure what was going on and the changes that occur. It was young but beautiful with gorgeous artwork that highlighted the story wonderfully!
October 5, 2021
Cute
This was a cute, quick children’s book. The premise that a house ‘feels” and just wants to be a home was sweet. Well written.
This was a cute, quick children’s book. The premise that a house ‘feels” and just wants to be a home was sweet. Well written.
October 18, 2021
It was quite cute but very short. Very nice approach on persistence and giving something a real chance, even if it doesn't initially look like it will work out.
October 1, 2021
This story is told in the perspective of a house that knows the love and care of an amazing family, but then they move. The house becomes sad, rundown, and leaks and groans to keep others away. But then another family moves in and there’s hope for this house to be joyful again. This book had a cozy feel, especially during times when the house was well-kept and inhabited. I really felt the relatable sensation of what a home truly is.
October 2, 2021
Such a wonderful little Story
I have missed the house I had with my ex but the home I raised my children in was better because it welcomed all of my kids friends and if homes could truly have feelings then that had to be a happy home. Thank you for reminding me of what I gained even though I lost the bigger house.
I have missed the house I had with my ex but the home I raised my children in was better because it welcomed all of my kids friends and if homes could truly have feelings then that had to be a happy home. Thank you for reminding me of what I gained even though I lost the bigger house.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews