Home Is Where The Heart Is

By Author / Illustrator

Jonny Lambert

Genre

Friendship

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger Press Group

ISBN

9781801041706

Format

Hardback

Published

06-01-2022

Synopsis

A pitch perfect picture book with breathtakingly beautiful, textured illustrations and a heartwarming story from author-illustrator, Jonny Lambert.

When Bear moves into a new home in the woods, his home feels empty, and Bear is a little bit lonely. With a RAT-A-TAT-TAT! on his neighbour's door, Bear quickly finds a warm smile and friendship with Hare. When a storm CRASHES through the wood, destroying Bear's home, the two friends discover that home is more than just a house . . . it's where the heart is.

Exploring the true meaning of belonging, this is the perfect introduction into the joys and complexities of friendship. Another story to treasure for fans of Jonny Lambert's other books, Little Why, The Great Aaa-Ooo, The Only Lonely Panda and The Big Angry Roar.

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Reviews

In Home is Where the Heart Is, Bear moves into the Wild Old Woods and make a home for himself. Despite it being filled with beautiful things, however, there is something missing; Bear realises that he's lonely. So he goes out in search of a friend. He meets Hare, who is very different from Bear: Hare is older and doesn't keep his house clean, while Bear is young and is very neat. But the two become best friends. They explore the woods, have picnics, and tell stories by the fire.

When Hare is ill Bear takes care of him until he is well again. One day, Bear finds that his house has been destroyed in a storm. Bear is upset and unsure what to do but Hare reaches out to him, wraps him in a hug and says 'From now until forever my home is your home', however, this proves to be a challenge to their friendship because they’re so different.

This was the point in the book that generated a great discussion with our Key Stage One children about whether or not people who are different can be friends. We posed the question; do you think they learn to live together and continue to be best friends? We has some very interesting answers but the consensus was that they would be able to live together and be best friends. Lots of the children said that their mums and dads and mums and mums live together and they are still best friends despite some of their mums and dads being messy, just like hare. Home is Where the Heart Is is a great book to use to reinforce PSHE sessions.

Picture Book / Reviewed by Samantha Hughes, teacher