Home Is Where the Birds Sing

by Cynthia Rylant, Katie Harnett (Illustrator)

A beautiful and poignant meditation on what makes a home from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant.

There are so many things, both big and small, that make a place feel like home. Home is where you might have a special nickname or a special toy. It’s where you might have a snack or a nap or a bath—or all three! Whether home is a city apartment or a country cottage, it’s a place you want to return to again and again. Celebrate all kinds of homes—and all kinds of families—in this cozy, lushly illustrated ode to the universal feeling of being at home.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

I was on the edge of misty toward the end of reading this book out-loud to my group - it totally surprised me! Still, it was so on-point with all the different ways "home" shows up for every one of us: what it is, how we know it, how we assign meaning to its many elements. I was swept up. I, as the children I love best listened to me, knew it was me. . . . ME . . .more than anyone, that most knew the absolute truth being shared by these pages. As I looked into their eyes, understood the complete magic of me in one place, thousands of miles from them, or less than a mile for some, having a library book on screen, we all knowing how to read, all of us with enough time from the struggle of life to dedicate to this. . .well it just got to me. We are so damned lucky. Or we are so very blessed. However you want it . . .

Home. This sweet book is about home. How vital it is for every person living, was for every person not living, and the very thing we want most for those who spring up from our life choices. Interestingly there are few mentions of bird song, which was originally why I chose the book. The kids loved it, too. . .

[Jarrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice message overall, but was not especially fond of the illustrations.

[Awjtf · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is beautiful, the illustrations were a little too odd for my taste.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book explores the many feelings of home, and reflects diverse families and types of homes. I was interested in the idea of this for storytime, but I didn't like the illustrations enough to choose it over other books. They looked weird to me at times, and the low-contrast ones are better up close and wouldn't be great for a group read-aloud.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple yet true....sweet illustrations....love everything by Cynthia Rylant

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for preschool through K. Ryland wrote this with much charm and warm feelings.

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Louisa Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my new favorite book 😭😭😭

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short book to Julianna at the library. One of her best friends came Harvey& his little brother Arthur who came with their mom. We were happy to see them. I asked how many stars she would give book. she said zero. a bit distracted lol. I give the book 4 stars. Nice short story with nice illustrations about the comfyness you feel at home.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Rylant's books, but this one was just okay. It explains what things we love about home. And, the artwork is just okay.

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was nice, but so many children don't have a home that supports them in the way this book claims it should. For that reason, I would hesitate to read it in a storytime. It could be interpreted as a message that anywhere you feel safe and loved can be home, but since the illustrations only showed people's actual living places, it's hard to support that interpretation.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a comforting and reassuring book about home and the feelings we have about it, such as love and security. I wasn't a huge fan of how people's faces were illustrated, but it's doubtful the intended audience will be too concerned about that.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is okay, but it's not great. I think the author tried too hard to be deep.

[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 Home is Where the Birds Sing, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Katie Harnett, a sweet meditation on home and family.

What does “home” mean? Well, “home is where you come in from the rain.” It’s a place for food and fun, of security and acceptance. It’s where you are treated with kindness and respect, and where the surroundings reflect yourself and the things you love. It’s where stories are told and made, and where you are always welcome. It is where you hear birdsong, not only with your ears, but with your heart.

Gentle, loving, and sweet. Rylant’s skill with prose is on display here, as she captures impactful moments big and small in short yet flowing and soothing lines of text that are a pleasure to read. It’s a rhythm that pairs well with Harnett’s warm, cozy paint-and-pencil illustrations, which similarly swirl the large and colorful with the small and meaningful to create scenes of love and family. In addition to a lovely visual theme of birds throughout, Harnett also offers a wonderfully diverse representation of families, from race to composition to ability to socioeconomic status. The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ loved the artwork and comforting themes of family and unconditional love. Overall, this one is an absolute treat, and well worth the read – 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!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Rylant's new story shows us what a home is, what small bits and pieces give comfort. Katie Harnett helps picture Rylant's words with lots of color and many loving scents that will make you smile, saying to yourself, "Yes, that's my kind of home!" You may also imagine more lines of your own unique ideas of what home is. It would be great to do with a class, perhaps illustrate it, too, as Harnett did. It's an invitation to think about your own home, perhaps fun to wonder what varied animals would say.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely poetic text gives diverse examples of elements that define a welcoming home. Each spread begins with "Home is where..." Home is where your own story starts...your friends can find you...you have blankets...you freshen up...(Some readers from dysfunctional homes may not relate.)

The illustrations take the rating down a star. Faces are a little odd, but young readers/listeners may not be bothered by this.
ELA: This book is a writing prompt in waiting! Each person thinks of something that represents home, writes and illustrates a sentence. Bind into a class book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather sparse text that defines what the many things home is as, “Home is where there are stories to tell and stories to hear. A reassuring story for children about what home is.
Illustrations are homey, filled with objects just the way many people live with beloved objects around them. No designer rooms with everything in its place here.

[Rosalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved it. It was cozy and the illustrations where amazing. I love the representation of color. I just think one message is missing: home are the people you love. I for a fact love some people a lot and they are my home, but the house they live in scares me a bit. I would still run into it when I’m in danger, because I am looking for my loved ones, not because I think the walls will protect me..

[Kelly]

I thought I was going to really like this book (Cynthia Rylant is my childhood favorite author), but besides the cover, I don't like the illustrations. The text is fine, but it might be hard to really get into it when I'm so distracted by the illustrations, unfortunately.

[Diane Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Home Is Where the Birds Sings is a wonderful book with beautiful pictures about life. Life of families are pictures here in beautiful scenes and calm words that make life wonderful. It is a book that you want to have on your bookshelf

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

PreS-1st/2nd grade
This is a lovely meditation on the concept of home, done in very concrete ways, so it never gets abstract. The art has a Van Gogh feel to it - so earthy, and texture-like.

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about what a home means...

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home is where you feel safe and loved. Rylant takes readers through the many ways someone feels at home.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic look at where you find home.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Emily Duchon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple meditation and reminder on what “home” means to the mind of a child.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit by Cynthia Rylant. Katie Harnett creates beautiful illustrations.

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely illustrations. simple execution.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with this, but it didn’t stand out to me much. I think it doesn’t say a ton that hasn’t already been said. Also, some of the eyes freaked me out.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Home is where there are stories to tell and stories to hear. It is where your own story starts."

A comforting book about how a home makes us feel safe and loved.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and simple, but nothing spectacular here.