Taking the Long Way Home

by Jake Hope

When Uncle Jerome picks up Zarah and her brother from school, suggesting that they take "the long way home," Zarah groans. She hates long walks! But this walk turns into something completely different . . .


Uncle Jerome's imagination and sense of fun soon transport the children into a wild adventure. Using their five senses to conjure up a world of fun and imagination, birds become pterodactyls, ripples in the water become crocodiles. Zarah and her brother soon realize that the best adventures only happen on the long way home!


Jake Hope and Brian Fitzgerald have created an irresistible and engrossing picture book that is simply wonderful to read aloud.

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zarah does not like long walks, and even when her daddy picks her up from school, his shortcuts are never quite short enough. So when Uncle Jerome comes to collect Zarah and her brother one day and suggests taking the long way home, Zarah is less than enthusiastic. But every step of the way, Uncle Jerome indicates something the children did not anticipate, imagining impossible scenarios as a result. And even though the path is longer than normal, Zarah soon discovers the joy in the magic that can happen when they take the long way home. This charming story celebrates the special relationship that can exist between children and the caregivers who are different from their parents. Repetition is frequently utilized within this story, often juxtaposing Zarah’s complaints against her uncle’s persistent imagination. Just the right amount of words are used in this story to appeal to preschool-aged readers, whether they are engaging with the book in a classroom or in a home setting. And thanks to the thoughtful design of the book, readers will be inspired to create stories of their own as they engage in walking adventures outside of the narrative. The illustrations are brightly colored and feature characters of mixed heritage, utilizing hue and texture to tell the story in a dynamic and memorable way. Heartwarming and filled with love, this is an enjoyable addition to library collections both at home and in larger settings.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A playful tale that encourages outdoor exploration, imagination, and going outside of one’s comfort zone. When Uncle Jerome picks up Zorah and her brother from school, they experience magic and adventure on the long way home. At first Zorah is reluctant to embrace her Uncle’s whimsy: ““Can’t we stop?” Zarah asks, dragging behind…”Are we nearly there yet?” Zarah asks””. But her pained facial expressions give way to true delight, as the trio dodge pterodactyls, crocodiles, and a yeti on their way home. The text makes use of bold font to emphasize onomatopoeia. Leaves “crunch and scrunch” and crocodile jaws “click clack” as the story invites readers to embrace all five senses. Repetition of the phrase “Anything can happen on the long way home” creates a pleasing rhythm that threads together each half-real, half-imagined setting. The main characters are light-brown and dark-skinned.  Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this colorful picture book with outlandish art and a clever, imaginative character, many readers will wish that they, too, had an Uncle Jerome who takes the long way home from school. For Zarah and her brother, the unappealing walk home suddenly is filled with adventures, all due to their uncle's way of looking at things. Clearly, he has a gift for words and the ability to conjure up something exciting out of what would otherwise be mundane. Even licking an ice cream cone with strawberry topping could result in a vampire-filled dash down the street. There's never a dull moment around this uncle, and the story demonstrates that it all depends on perspective whether something familiar is boring or exciting. Here's hoping that more of us slow down and take the long way home in the future.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book two children are taken home after school by their uncle who doesn't hurry as their father or mother would. Uncle takes them on an adventure through the woods, by the riverbank, over the hill, and suggests they take time and listen and look and enjoy the walk home. And they arrive home after receiving a treat. When they arrive home they are happy and thank their uncle and share their adventure with their busy parents. Nice turn of events.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking The Long Way Home by @jakegatehouse & @brianfitzerillustration is a sweet, delightful, fun, adventurous, and engaging story! This book beautifully showcases the magic of childhood and wonder of connection. The very special uncle in this book knows exactly how to make a boring task into something mysteriously adventurous. With his kind enthusiasm, Zarah learns to love the long way home as much as her brother. I love this book!

[Lysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old and I read this one together! We very much enjoyed it! I love how it is encouraging adventure and use of imagination! How it’s a reminder that it’s okay to slow down and really take in the little moments in life. That if we replace a complaint with a laugh or a smile it could bring unexpected joy! That it’s okay to step out of our comfort zone. Such good messages in a kids book!

The illustrations were also phenomenal and we love having a copy for our shelf!