Harry's Home

This sensitive, endearing picture book reveals more on subsequent readings. It affirms the importance of home, whether a metropolitan tower-block or an isolated country dwelling. Harry lives in the city, so night-times mean bright lights and endless traffic noise. On his first visit alone to Grandad's small farmhouse in the mountains across the sea, Harry finds everything different. The night is quiet, no cars or sirens, and so dark he can't sleep. Thinking about Mum, he packs his bag and tells Grandad he is going home. Of course he doesn't, and over the week a special relationship develops between Harry, his grandfather and the farm animals. The journey between homes is particularly effective, picturing different modes of travel, distance covered and the numerous houses in between. The illustrations are happy and busy, packed with details offering much for discussion. Based on the authors' family experience, this is an enchanting story.