Home in the Sky

by Jeannie Baker

In this story of a homing pigeon who glides away from the flock one morning, three-dimensional illustrations bring sky, pigeons, people, and New York City's roofs and streets to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Animals, Childrens, Travel

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Jeannie Baker is the author-illustrator of a number of children’s picture books, including the critically celebrated Mirror and the award-winning Where the Forest Meets the Sea. Born in England, she now lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars A beautiful book full of photographed 3D collages made from clay, fabric, grass, hair and all sorts! After gathering the materials it took 2 yrs to make these illustrations, they are very intricate and there's so much to look at. The illustrations give a good look and feel of inner city life and would be interesting for a child living in the countryside to see.

There's an interesting page about the making of the book and another about the inspiration for the story. Although I liked the idea that the birds home is in the sky I would have preferred the story to be about wild pigeons rather than homing pigeons, it had a slightly gloomy feel but it was an interesting read.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home in the Sky by Jeannie Baker – I adore this author/illustrator. Such talent. I felt so captured by this story of a homing pigeon who goes flying over New York and knowing that Jeannie Baker was inspired by the real guy to write this book also was fantastic. I’m never disappointed by a Jeannie Baker book!! Oh, and the pictures are fantastic, amazing. I appreciate and do not doubt that it took two years to create the illustrations… wow.

[Emkoshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm on a Jeannie Baker retrospective at the moment, and I started with this one, reading it this morning while in my own 'home in the sky' (an apartment). Her skill as a collage artist still astounds me, and this book captured New York in the 90s so well that I found myself yearning to be back there! Heartfelt and beautiful.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read

We recently read a picture book about homing pigeons in wartime, so the youngest member of the household enjoyed seeing more of them in this story. Their review: "It was good. I liked the way it was made. I liked the white pigeon."

The gorgeous, handmade collages are definitely the greatest strength of the book. The story is simple, a pigeon is lost and showcases parts of the city on its way back home. This is a good book to help children understand that sometimes animals come into our lives but then we have to let them go home.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The colour palette of this book is not my style: lots of grey and gloom. However, Jeannie Baker's illustrations are just delicious and unlike any other. There is so much to love about this book. I have a secret adoration of pigeons. They are beautiful, resilient and intelligent creatures and I love that this book celebrates all of these things. On top of this, New York City is one of my favourite places in the world, and I loved seeing much of its iconic scenes (Central Park, a crowded subway carriage) through the eyes of the pigeons.

[Jocelyn Hee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker's collages are phenomenal. This book to me was one of her best. I just love the way she can create people so realistically from their expressions to their clothing to their posture. She is an incredible artist!

[Nahuatl P Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precioso libro muy evocativo, poético en cierta forma. Las ilustraciones fueron hechas con maquetas que retratan detalles de la ciudad de Nueva York en las que se utilizaron materiales naturales como plantas, que fueron recolectados en esa ciudad, una maravilla.
La historia aparentemente muy simple pero llena de significado., recomiendo ampliamente.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe. Home in the Sky is a beautiful New York story, simply told, but with the most intricate, awe-inspiring collage art. Jeannie Baker's talent is on full-display here. Her attention to detail is stunning. In particular, I love how expressive the faces are. How is she able to do this with collage materials? Amazing.

My favorite pages/images:

The architecture, pg. 1
The texture of the metal sign/train on pg. 16
The subway car in the centerfold - masterful!
The expression on Mike's face, pg. 28

Then, if you read the afterward, you realize it took two years to make these "collage constructions"! Go back through the book and notice the attention to detail. The newspapers and the pieces of litter were constructed and painted by her. It really makes you appreciate the art involved, and makes the whole experience of reading her book more magical.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker is an English-born artist living in Australia. The book took her two years to complete, including a 10 month residency in New York City researching and working on the book. The simple story offers a detailed and striking representation of NYC in the 1980s, and it is the details that are most engaging. Definitely a book to pour over.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is such acute story and I love re-reading it!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker, always beautiful!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books from my childhood and I loved sharing it with my daughter today. Love the collages.

[Ms Doxey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, show that pigeons aren't vermin. Sweet
Year 2