You Are Home

by Mackenzie Porter, Xin Li (Illustrations)

This lovely board book reassures young ones that wherever they go, they carry the love of a parent. So no matter where they roam, they’ll always be home.

So if you ride to the corner, to the mountains, the sea,
there’s not a place in this world that I won’t be.
Wherever you travel and wherever you roam,
just know, my sweet child, you will always be home.

Home begins as a parent’s arms, and as the child in this story grows up, home then has grass, and sky, and a street that doesn’t end. The parent in this story reassures their child that they can keep going, they can find new homes, because wherever they go, they’ll carry the parent’s love. After all, home is where the heart is.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Love

26 pages, Board Book

Published August 31, 2021

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely precious! As a parent, I can’t begin to explain how much this describes exactly how I feel about my little one.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just melted my heart! I got this from the library, but I may just have to get my daughter her own copy. I hope this becomes a children’s classic!

[Christine Lepird · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly heart-warming story to read to my baby. I always tear up a bit at the end, but I think that's a mark of a wonderful book.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Genre: Children/Board Book
Type: Book
Worth?: Yeah

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was lovely, how is it not on a best board book list but you'll always find Goodnight Moon on those lists?? 🤯

Extra cool that the author is from my state!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is You Are Home, written by Mackenzie Porter and illustrated by Xin Li, a sweet board book that explores the special bond between mother and child.

A mother sits in a rocking chair, cuddling her new baby to her chest, keeping the infant safe and warm in her arms. This embrace is the baby’s first “home”, and as the child grows into a toddler, then a preschooler, than beyond, their “home” expands. First it’s a room as they learn to walk; then the outdoors as they explore the world beyond their house. Yet as the world grows larger and more filled with possibility, one constant remains: since a mother’s love follows their child wherever they go, they will always, in a way, be home.

Adorable. This sturdy board book title takes a timeless and universal theme of a mother’s unconditional love and crafts a sweet, simple narrative that young readers and their own mother figures can happily share. The meter of the rhyming text can take a little getting used to, but once you do, this is a great one to read aloud, especially for very small bookworms. Li’s colorful, affectionate illustrations fit the tone of the text perfectly, and each spread is filled with atmosphere and warmth. The length is great for a quick read, and JJ loved the easy-to-read text and engaging artwork. This one would make a lovely gift for new moms, and we really enjoyed it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is SO SWEET. It absolute tugged on my heartstrings. It’s in the same lane as ‘I love you forever’ by Munsch - following a baby as she continues to grow up and how a mothers love never diminishes. Very cute! Would even be a sweet book to gift/recommend to a daughter when she has a daughter. Loved it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved and cherished this book. I typically dislike the sugary sweet picture books that are meant to make parents cry. So this was either different enough, or as a parent with a 5yo on the eve of kindergarten, I'm feeling sentimental.

I definitely think this book deserves more attention than it has received.

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is best in class of its genre, I think. Mama's love moves with her little one as Little One's home evolves from Mama's arms to the playroom to the yard to the end of the street, and then orients toward the great big world. Likely to be a tear-jerker for parents. Illustrations are a beautiful acompaniament.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet.

This will be good for very young kids. I think kids over 4 or so will be bored by this one.

It's about a parent watching her kid grow up in the world and take root. A great poem and rhyme scheme.

The artwork is cozy and sweet.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great baby shower gift. More for adult reading it than for the child listening, but made in board book fashion for little hands

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows a child growing and the definition of home moving from Mother's arms to the room/house to the street, and beyond.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every move you make every breath you take I'll be watching you, Mama style, the board book.

Nice illustrations.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

5/27/22 Read with Julia

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet book!

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very special book and my Momma read it to me today. I hope we read it lots and lots of times together.

[Samantha Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great baby shower gift, made me cry and touched my heart

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartfelt

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 so touching