Home Lovely

by Lynne Rae Perkins

Hoping for trees or a flower garden, Tiffany transplants and cares for some seedlings that she finds and is surprised by what they become.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Lynne Rae Perkins is the author of several novels, including her most recent Newbery Award winning book, Criss Cross. She enjoys working in her studio, being with friends, watching her kids grow, and watching her husband, Bill, chase their dog around town.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book. I liked how the little girl was creative and found ways to deal with her unique circumstances and tried to make the best of everything. The pictures were pretty nice as well. I'd probably recommend.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Anika Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book.
With simple quite moments, this book not only depicts how cultivating plants (and in turn a relationship with them) can bring such joy, fulfillment, purpose, and enliven a place; but shows the sacredness and importance of quiet moments. This young girl’s self guidance, curiosity, and determination to bring these plants to life and make something beautiful in her lonely time without her mother is inspiring and a wonderful reminder of how special time paying attention simply to the world around us is.

As a 19 year old artist with a deep love and appreciation for picture books, I often scour the shelves of the library and shops in hopes of coming across a book that touches me as much as this one.
This book is a stand alone image of peace.

[Terry]

I really like this book. It is a single-parent story, it is set in a trailer park, and money is tight. This is a level of realism that isn't easy to find. There are spots where the book has a lot of words where you might lose young readers, but overall text-to-illustration balances out well.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany and her mother had to move, so they moved to a trailer that wasn't even near any other homes. One day Tiffany found little plants growing and hoped they'd be trees or flowers. She got help from a new friend when the plants weren't what she expected. Very nice story.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been an impressive picture book to have been written at any stage of an author's career, and in my view the fact that "Home Lovely" is the first published book to be written by Lynne Rae Perkins makes the accomplishment even more memorable.
"Home Lovely" is a truly lovely, quietly told story about a girl named Tiffany who lives in a mobile home with only her mother, away from where anyone else resides. Since her mother must work and can't afford a baby-sitter, Tiffany stays home by herself and misses her mother. In that unexpected, magical way that situations sometimes turn around, though, Tiffany's life begins to lighten when she first notices the beginning signs of plant life growing by the road outside of the trailer. Who knew that such humble beginnings could herald the start of something wonderful?
This is a very nicely told story that offers no miracles and no thrilling adventure, but is something special.

[Latifah Williams]

This story is written from the perspective of a young girl, Tiffany, who lives in a single parent home with her mother. I like this story because Tiffany is not living in a traditional home setting. Rather she lives with her working mother and she often finds herself home alone. This book did a really great job in promoting the idea of finding things you are interested in. I would use this book to extend myself to students who are in similar situations to Tiffany or students who really feel lonely often. I would encourage them to think about their interests and finding a hobby that supports that interest. The author did a really good job in bringing in outside characters, such as Bob the mail carrier, who helped Tiffany really develop her interests. In reality, sometimes the people in the community are people who help you decide your likes and dislikes!

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother and daughter must move (the circumstances are not discussed). Their new home is a mobile home and the mother--by necessity--must work in the afternoons, leaving the daughter alone in the home. After a while, the little girl takes interest in some plants that are starting to show in the dirt.

A kindly postman takes note of the little girl's plants and starts to share what he knows about gardening.

A lovely book that might need some reader-advisory for the economical diversity and situations that might be seen as perilous by today's standards (leaving a child alone).

[McKinzie Elton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is about a little girl and her mom who have to move into a trailer park out of town. Jenelle, the little girl, is very lonely in her new house where she spends time alone because her mother has to work. One day Jenelle discovers plants outside her trailer, and together with the mailman Bob, they build a beautiful, fruit bearing garden as well as a long lasting friendship. I would use this book in second grade to expand students' knowledge of neighborhoods in the community.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning, I was afraid this book was going to be ABOUT living in a trailer and while it is about that, it really isn't. It's more about making the best of any situation and accepting kindness from those who are willing to give it. I think juvenile fiction would benefit from having more books like this where the character doesn't live in a large home in the suburbs.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the kindness of a stranger to a little girl who had very little. The little girl and her mother had to move and pretty much have nothing. They bond together with this lovely mail man who helps tiffany fall in love with gardening. Wonderful story about being down on your luck and charity.

[Morgan]

This is great for the students that have had to move around. They understand how hard it is to come to a new place and probably have parents work all the time. This could be helpful during the first week of school to show that everyone might have a story to their name and that they need to treat others with great respect. They even might learn from each other without even knowing it.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic story of a little girl, recently moved to a trailer park, who wishes she could grow a garden. This is also a book about kindness, hope, and simple acts of decency. I also like the author's dedication: "For my father, who was a kind person like Bob."

[Ngoc Dang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows no culture. I did not want to continue to read this book because of the illustrations. I look at illustrations so differently now after I took multicultural class.

[CFAITC]

A lonely young girl living in an isolated trailer makes new friends and gains knowledge by growing flowers and melons. Along the way, she beautifies her home.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little kid's book.