Home at Last: A Universal Picture Book About Adoption and Family for Kids

by Vera B. Williams, Chris Raschka (Illustrator)

Lester hasn’t really belonged to anyone or anyplace for a long time. So when Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich adopt him, he is excited about his new life. There are a lot of things to like about his new house and his family:

He has a brand-new room.

And a brand-new bed.

And a new bike.

And new toys.

And hot cocoa.

And new cousins, too.

And then there is Wincka, his new daddies’ big, furry dog. She’s the best.

But even with all these good things, Lester gets lonely and scared in the middle of the night. What will it take to make Lester feel home at last

Genres: Picture Books, Adoption, LGBT, Family, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Dogs

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2016

About the author

Graduate of Black Mountain College, North Carolina, where she majored in graphic art. In her own words, she has "done graphic art, school teaching, children-raising [she has two daughters and a son], has run a bakery and been a cook in schools and restaurants." (from back flap of book)

Vera B. Williams is the winner of the 2009 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature.

You can read much more about this author here or here

Reviews

[Scott Robins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of the adoption of a young boy by two gay dads hits all the right emotional notes but came off as pretty generic and not nuanced at all - a definite lack of a queer voice here. It is also quite text heavy and in places clunky. Also felt that Raschka was the wrong choice to illustrate this book - his illustrations are muddy and difficult to connect with. This is a 2.5 stars for me.

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always on the prowl for books about adoption, as two out of three of our children journeyed that route to our family.

"Home at Last" is a new book on the subject, out this year, and, sadly, it was Vera B. Williams's final contribution before her passing. Her famous "A Chair for My Mother" has always been a favorite of mine.

This book features two daddies, which, in our divided world, will meet with mixed feelings by different readers, but, for me, the greater point of interest is the struggle of the young protagonist, Lester, to adjust to the idea of adoption and his new family life.

Nervous Lester carries around his little blue suitcase full of action figures, the powerful characters he places around himself for protection, and the suitcase itself is symbolic of the baggage that children of trauma carry as their burden.

I thought it was a meaningful story, one of fear and joy, and my two daughters really responded to its message.

Plus, the dog made me cry.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Late great Vera B. Williams had written this book but did not try to finish it till close to the end of her life, when she asked Chris Raschka to help her. According to Raschka's note, Vera Williams did the story and drawing and he merely colored in the drawings. I suspect he did more than that because the drawings feel very much like Raschka. I apparently had been made aware of this title, because it was marked want to read. However, I just happened to see it at the library and took it home. It is a lovely book. Finally, a LGBT family is presented with no opinions about how wonderful the relationship is! It is much more powerful to simply have the relationship be present without feeling any need to justify it. Now, on to the story. Lester (With whom Vera Williams identified with) is newly adopted by his two fathers. He is loved but still feels very uncertain of the stability of this new relationship. He really, really wants to be able to crawl into his fathers' bed because then he would be safe from the world. However, the parents feel Lester needs to stay in his room. They also do not understand why he wants so badly to crawl into their bed. Finally Wincka, the dog, finds the perfect solution for everyone.
This is a heartwarming story. It also is very realistic with one father losing his temper, then finding it again and finally finding out just what Lester's fear is about. Lester is causing problems in the house because of his need but he himself is not a problem child. It does end on a happily ever after ending, but is appropriate for the age level.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester is adopted by Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert, who pick him up with their dog Wincka once the adoption is formalized. They head home, put Lester’s new clothes away. But when Daddy Albert tries to put Lester’s suitcase in the attic, Lester shows them that it is full of his action figures and insists that they have to stay right in the suitcase in his room. Lester is happy during the day, playing with his toys and spending time with his new fathers. At night though, he packs up his suitcase and stands near his fathers’ bed. This happens night after night, despite cocoa and toast, singing songs, and explanations that Lester is safe. Finally, one of the fathers loses his temper with the situation and then Lester really opens up about what he is worried about. A solution to the problem is found by Wincka, the dog, who was listening to Lester’s story too.

This was the book that Williams was working on when she died. Raschka had been involved from the beginning with the book and completed the vision that Williams had shared with him. Williams captures the deep-seated fear that adopted children can have, the understanding at one level of newfound family love but also the change that comes at night where fears become larger. Williams also shows two loving gay men, both delighted to be fathers and each different from the other. The two of them together parent Lester with kindness and concern and deep love.

Raschka finished the book, basing his art on sketches by Williams. His large colorful illustrations have a loose feel that ranges across the page, capturing both the mayhem of a family short on sleep but also the warmth of that family too. His watercolors convey deep emotions from the frustrations of sleepless nights to the power of coming together afterwards. All is beautifully shown on the page.

A tribute to adoptive families, LGBT couples who adopt and the importance of love and patience, this picture book is a grand finale to the many books by Williams. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lester is excited to be adopted by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich. However, he has a hard time settling in and ends up waking up in the middle of the night, every night. Albert and Rich try everything until Rich ends up losing his temper. Their dog Wincka ends up solving the problem.

A sweet, heart-felt story and the dog made me round up.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home at last is a sweet story of a gay couple who adopt a child and make their family complete. This book is a much needed story for gay couples and adoption. Children of same sex marriages need to see themselves and their family depicted in a positive light. The illustrations are bright and happy and the story is one that just leaves you with a good feeling. I would definitely recommend.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera and Chris working together to produce a much-needed addition to the canon of picture books for and about adopted children. Recommended.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lester is super excited to be adopted by Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert, and to have a dog named Wincka. However, sleeping in his own bed scares Lester...
Daddy's Rich and Albert take great care of Lester, but still he worries about not being loved and safe.
Eventually Wincka comes up with a solution.

A very good, realistic and honest story of adoption, queer parents (though one does lose his temper after so many sleepless nights, which kind of paints him in a bad light, despite his apology), adjusting to new surroundings, and of course familial love and acceptance.
Truly, if the above mentioned scene were cut, this would be a perfect "read aloud" book. However, it does stand as a good story that brings multiple topics to light.
Finally, you can tell the author wanted to put her heart into sharing this story. Vera B. Williams unfortunately wouldn't live to see its completion and so the artwork and rest of collaboration fell to Chris Raschka (2-time Caldecott Winner, including for Daisy's Ball.) and was successfully and lovingly executed.

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

The amount of books concerning adoption are very few. There are even less that deal with older child adoption. And even fewer concerning same sex couples and adoption. Which makes this book extremely special in its subject matter. The problem with this book is that it is so text heavy that it doesn't seem appropriate for its target age range in the picture book demographic. Which leaves the open ended question of, who is this book's audience? The illustrations are nice, the information is fairly accurate, the feelings very real, but there is a very small audience for this book I am afraid. This is a shame, because there is a definite need for picture books that explain older child adoption.

I think I could be even more nit-picky about this book since I am in the middle of adopting an older child from foster care, but I think I shall leave this as my last complaint: If you are adopting a waiting child through foster care in America (even if they are living in a group home/orphanage), they come live with you first before the adoption is finalized. There is usually a minimum period for this. In my state, 90 days.

Give it some time and perhaps I will make a book of my own. One that explains to young children why Aunt & Uncle suddenly have a teenager living with them. One of my nephews is very interested in the concept, but I don't think he understands it completely and I would love it if there was a book out there that helped. To a seven-year-old, it's all a bit grown-up and confusing.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this picture book twice because, on the first read-through I suspected there was something quiet and powerful in the seeming rambling nature of the story. As a fan of Ms. Williams 'More, More, More Said the Baby', which I've probably gifted to friends a dozen times, I found it a little difficult to stay grounded in this story that organically moves forward and forward and forward, continually introducing new ideas and concepts in an almost Miyazaki-fashion. On the 2nd read-through I appreciated how everyone struggles in the story (except for the dog, who just watches the pitiful humans until she makes her move). There's a honesty and freshness, and it's particularly enjoyable that the same sex adoptive parents aren't centered but their unusualness also isn't ignored. I suspect there's many a kid of same sex parents - adoptive or otherwise - who will appreciate Ms. William's sweet and knowing portrayal. Although the art didn't do much for me stylistically (the illus are more like companions to the text/ don't move the story on their own), I enjoyed getting insight into the author's and the illustrator's relationship in a little note on the final page. A beautiful homage to important figure in kids lit.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will bring tears. The story is wonderful. Vera B. Williams died almost exactly a year ago, but in the time before she died, she had one more story to tell, and asked her friend Chris Raschka to help her do the illustrations. And so, together, they created a story of Lester. After waiting a whole year Lester was finally adopted by his two wonderful dads, Daddy Rick and Daddy Albert. They were all ready to make a family, but there was one thing wrong. Lester couldn’t seem to sleep all night in his bed. Night after night he woke up, carried his blue suitcase with his action figures into his dads’ bedroom. There he stood at the foot until someone woke up. Sometimes kids need a little bit more than a beautiful new bedroom, and that is, finally, what Lester got. You’ll need to read this to discover what happened, but I be you will smile and smile when reading this story. The illustrations are marvelous too, a lot of Raschka’s bright and bold colors, but they’re a bit different, so that must be Vera’s influence. What a special book!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic but tender story about adoption, with a happy ending. This picture book is an important contribution to the LGBT canon of children's literature, and is especially relevant now. Strange how timing sometimes works out just right; Vera Williams waited until the end of her life to tell this most personal story, her last one.

Williams collaborated with Chris Raschka on the illustrations, and he finished them up after her death. The bright colors are used quite effectively. The cover and endpapers are lovely. Pages are text-heavy by modern picture book standards, but the story is well worth the investment of time to read it. Oh, and there's an awesome dog worked into the mix, too. What a meaningful legacy for Williams to leave us.

[Heron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. I strongly recommend that kids with adoption and foster trauma stay away from this book. While the message / moral is sweet, the delivery is awful. The boy keeps a bag packed next to his bed in case, we're told, someone comes for him and he needs to run!! That kind of language could be intensely triggering for a little one. The young boy is shown standing alone at the end of his fathers' bed, waiting for them to wait up. Heartbreaking. And at one point, one of his dads is shown screaming at him.

No nope and no. This book seems to fail fundamentally in determining its audience. It's packaged for kids but written more like an exposé of the foster care system for adults.

[Alex Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book has an amazing story to it and I loved it. I was not a hug fan of the art style but it was very colorful, nice and it did portray the story. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good children's picture book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pets are so important! Pets are the best!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story about a young boy adopted by two dads but I really disliked Chris Rascka's illustrations to go with it. His messy, abstract style leaves very little room for connection or emotion.

[Novelesque Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

A great book for kids finding their forever home! It's nice to see that families come in unique ways.

[Maddie McCaig · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Genre: Challenges/Issues
• Awards: NA
• Audience: Ages 4-9
• Summary: This book focuses on a young boy named Lester and his two new daddies. We join Lester on his journey of becoming comfortable in his new adopted home and being able to sleep in his own bed all night without fear of being snatched from his new home.
• A. Describe the issue or challenges in the book.
o This book focuses on the issue of adoption and the adjustments that come thereafter, but also addresses the idea of adoption in a two-father household.
• B. Describe the child or group of children with whom you would use this book. Explain why this book would be appropriate for use.
o I would use this book in a read-aloud setting, but after informing parents that it does depict two homosexual men and giving them the option to opt-out. It is relatable for all children who have faced a difficult change and the fear that can come with those things. It would create good conversations about adoption and different family types.

[Kate Novack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fiction book is about a young boy named Lester who gets adopted by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, a same sex couple. I like that this book brought adoption into the story as well as having same sex parents because most other books about same sex parents don't mention the process of adoption. I think this book could be relatable to a child adopted by same sex parents because they would realize that other children with same sex parents are adopted too. My problem with this book, however, is in the actual plot. There is a rich plot, but almost too rich. The story seems to jump around a bit and sometimes I felt like the page I was reading didn't transition to the next page very clearly. This would make it difficult for a child to follow and stay interested. I also think the story went on for too long and would have made more sense if it ended after the family dog began sleeping in Lester's bed, solving the problem of being alone. The book instead goes on to talk about how he spends time with his cousins and eating pancakes, which to me took away from the intended message instead of adding to it.
The illustrations definitely followed along with the text and were brightly colored. This would keep a child's interest but they were almost too abstract on some pages, making it difficult to make out what some of the detail was.
I think this book is great in terms of talking about same sex parents and adoption because it shows that these parents can do all of the same things moms and dads would do together. It also shows a child that it is okay to be scared or worried after being adopted but to always remember your new family loves you. There are no negative stereotypes represented towards adoption or same sex parents. There wasn't any diversity represented within the cultural groups, as every character was caucasian.

[Nichole Forest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home at Last by Vera B. Williams and Chris Raschka

1. Picture Book - Fiction, Easy
2. Copyright Date: September 13, 2016
3. Age level of interest: K-3rd Grade
4. Reading Level: Upper 2nd/Third Grade (4.4)
5. Brief Description: This is a story about a young boy named Lester who has been waiting to be adopted by two fathers. As he adjusts to his new home, he finds a furry friend who is a big help.
6. Identify two characteristics of this genre/subgenre: Even the copyright page of a picture book can be beautiful, informative, and symbolic. The copyright page of this book is as beautiful as all the other pages in that the illustrator drew pictures for that page as well. It is interesting that the copyright page is at the end of this book, rather than the beginning. Another characteristic I chose to highlight was "the end papers of a hardcover picturebook can also add to its attractiveness." The end papers of this book are a beautiful representation of words that were used in the book such as
"Daddy, Home, Mommy, Who Will Hug Me, Hug Me, Who Will Take Care of Me."
7. How well does the book as a whole reach its intended audience: Intended audience is elementary school students. I think the book appeals to it's intended audience well as there are children in most schools that may have parents of the same gender, and it written in such a way that those without parents of the same gender can build empathy for Lester.
8. Awards: I could not find any awards for this book.
9. Citations: Booklist (August 2016 (Vol. 112. No. 22))
Hornbook Guide 4/1/17
Hornbook Magazine 9/1/16

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this to my ten year old, and both of us were quietly stunned by how many notes it hit.

I love that the family includes two dads, without a big deal being made about it. My daughter said, "Oh, two dads--so they're gay, okay." "Window" representation is super important, and I want her to get comfortable with all types of families.

The rest, though, was all mirror. The chaotic childhood. The months of waiting and paperwork. The night fears. The ongoing attempt to protect oneself, because one doesn't feel safe even in this safe and loving home. The temper-losing parent, strung out on lack of sleep and what feels like defiant behavior. I can't even really describe how familiar it felt, even though the details of our lives are different.

When our kids came home, we slept in their rooms for I don't know how long. Months. We'd been told that if we nurtured this need, they would outgrow it, but if we refused to honor the "missed steps" of their childhood, those things would become issues. Eventually they got to the point where if we stayed until they were asleep, we could then steal out and sleep in our own bed, together. Then we just had to lay down with them for awhile. Then tuck them in after a lengthy evening routine. Now one kid just wants me to come in and say goodnight, while the other wants to be tucked in and given a kiss. So that piece of advice has paid off well, and I so wanted to shout it to the well meaning dads in this book.

This book might not mean much to most families, but it's definitely a right-fit book for mine.

[Katelyn Scholl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home At Last tells the story of Lester, a newly adopted child coming home to his family of two fathers. Lester loves his new home and there is a place for everything and everyone, even Lester. His parents have set him up with his own room, but we see Lester coming into his parents bed night after night. Eventually Lester tells his fathers that he gets lonely sleeping by himself, and is worried that someone mat take him away during the night. The problem is solved when the family dog Wincka comes to sleep with Lester night after night. This is a realistic fiction text as any child could be adopted into this situation and feel these feelings. The book contains a lot of text so it may be hard for children to read by themselves, but the illustrations do a good job conveying the feelings mentioned in the story. Children who have been adopted may relate to the feelings in this book of being left alone for the first time, and children who have been adopted into a two male parent home may see themselves identifying with some of the themes in this text. This book can also connect to children who may not be adopted or may not live in a same sex coupled home by connecting to the family bonding experiences mentioned in this book like laying in bed with your family, or hearing a parent raise their voice. The rich text and storyline combined with the vibrant and detailed pictures make for a book that children will want to read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester is a bit nervous when he goes to live with his new adoptive parents, Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert and their dog Wincka. After moving from home to home, Lester's not sure what to expect in a place that promises to be a forever home. This book is full of love while explaining the little speed bumps and worries that happen along the way to becoming a family. Raschka's and Williams's illustrations reflect the emotions along the way in the characters' facial expressions and with the colors used. Beautiful, feel-good book about love and family.

Note: I had read about this book in the May/June 2016 issue of Horn Book Magazine and couldn't wait to read it. Sadly, Vera B. Williams passed away in 2015 and her co-illustrator Chris Raschka finished the book. I teared up as I read the author's note in the back as Raschka described the two's close bond while working on the book. On the author's note page, Raschka shows his admiration for Williams as he paints in "Vera's chair" and "Chris's chair" in likely homage to Williams's most famous work A Chair for My Mother What a wonderful last book to cement Vera B. Williams's legacy. She will be missed.

[Cornmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a kid finding his forever home. It's a story about adoption, about trust, about learning to let go of your past psychological baggage (and actual suitcase) and embrace your future.

Lester has been bounced around in life; his parents died in car accident, then his grandmother became too ill to care for him, and he was shuttled to a children's center. And now, he is with Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, forever. But, Lester doesn't understand forever in this context because of his life experience, and so he keeps hold of his toys and keeps leaving his room at night to go to their room.
And they keep working to get him back to sleep, trying every trick in the book.

When all of that sleep deprivation hits its limit, Daddy Albert loses his patience and temper. Fortunately, that leads to getting Lester to express the big feelings that are swirling around inside. Wincka the dog solves the problem, and the healing can begin- with Lester finally finding his forever family, dads, cousins, dog, and all.

I am not normally a fan of Chris Raschka's illustrations, but for this story and this book, they are PERFECT. The movement in his style lines up nicely with the emotions throughout and he captures the characters well.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lester is a kid whose first parents died in a car accident, so he eventually lived in a children's home until a couple adopt him. Lester, his two dads, and the family dog Wincka all take time to adjust. Lester has a difficult time sleeping- for security, he has all his toys in a blue suitcase at the ready in case someone tries to hurt him. :( He goes into his parents' room every night, and longs to cuddle in with them and the dog. But his parents teach him that on Sunday mornings and special days are when the family can break the rules and have breakfast in bed, and stay in bed extra longer.

Parents can relate to this. Also, this can be a targeted read for families who've adopted. I'd consider this for upper elementary as a general read aloud, followed up by discussion about different family types.

On a side note about the author: this was Vera B. Williams's last book. :( I think it's beautiful how she and her friend Chris Raschka worked collaboratively on it.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about coming to a new home (because of adoption), having 2 dads and an understanding pet. Lester is delighted with his new life except at bed-time and his parents,understanding at first, lost patience after a time. It is the family dog that figures out the solution. We meet Lester on the steps of the children's home, we are with him as he goes off in the car to his new life. And his night time anxiety seems natural and a par of adjusting.... his two dads aren't mad so much as just tired and trying to figure things out. Lots to talk to kids about here and there is a coziness thanks to the warmth of the illstrations in soft colors, just a bit fuzzy (there are no straight lines here). Does Winka the dog look a bit like Daisy, maybe a blurry image of a doggie who has settled down and knows about love.

[Alyssa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book centers around Lester. He lives in the children's center, but he soon is adopted by Rich and Albert who he affectionately refers to as daddy Rich and daddy Albert. The story takes the reader through the struggles and joy of their new life together.
I was not too fond of the illustrations in this story. They seemed a little too messy and jumbled, and at times it was hard to make out the pictures which made it hard to for the pictures to emphasize the story.
I liked this book because it is different than most and you normally do not see many stories about adoption and gay couples. I think it is diverse and a good read however, the passages are long which might be difficult for young readers.
I would recommend this book for the fact that it is diverse, but I would not recommend for young readers because, of the long passages and difficult words.

[Alyssa Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Home at Last" by Vera B. Williams is a story about a little boy names Lester being adopted by two dads and adjusting to his new life. Lester struggles to fall asleep at night in his own room because he is afraid of bad things happening after the tragic death of his birth parents and his grandmother falling ill. After many nights of walking Lester back to bed and trying to get him to sleep in his own bed, he finally tells his dads about why he does not want to sleep in his bed. So, the dog decides to sleep in the bed with Lester so he is not lonely. This is a great book celebrating diversity through adoption and the main character being adopted by a gay couple. It also allows the reader insight into the feelings and fears that some children have when being adopted and the struggles of being a new father.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually found myself liking this one more than I thought I would and more as the story went on...maybe because I was always the kid who wanted to get into my parents' bed. Lester has been through a lot and this story of his slow transition to finally feeling home struck a chord. Especially resonant for me as a parent was the scene where one of the daddies loses his temper (what parent wouldn't after being woken up night by night by a kid trying to get into your bed?) and must then regain his relationship with Lester. I approached this one with some resistance because there seemed to be a lot going on early in it but enjoying it more and more as I went along and then to reach the end and read in the back matter that this was the last book written by childhood favorite author Vera B. Williams? Sigh. I think this book was meant for me.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though his two new dads make him feel very welcome after adopting him, Lester feels lonely and afraid in the middle of the night until a furry friend comes up with the perfect solution.

A lovely last book for Vera B. Williams. I sometimes find Chris Rashcka's art to be a little too surreal for my liking, but here he provides a sunny, warm complement to William's text. It's refreshing to see two dads in this story, and kids who can relate to Lester's experiences will find a lot of comfort in this book. The story felt a little long to me--I think it could have ended a few pages earlier, and was a little taken aback by the dense paragraphs populating every page--but that's a minor quibble for a timely book that meets a bibliotherapy need.