Thursday, October 8, 2020

Picture books for everyone


 Julia's House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Julia's House for Lost Creatures taught readers that there is a place for everyone. In this follow-up volume, Hatke tackles a more subtle lesson: change. The beginning of this book finds the house and it's inhabitants preparing to move. The resourceful Julia has a plan. Of course, that plan is immediately disrupted. The house moves before Julia is ready and she has to change her plans. But each of her plans fails. Eventually, Julia has to accept that you cannot plan for everything, that you just have to let things happen and trust that it will work out. It's something of a melancholy, yet hopeful story. The messaging may not land with a very young audience but the illustrations are so active and charming  that it probably won't matter. It's a joy just to leaf through the pictures. But for older kids, especially those going through a major life change, the message will be affirming.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

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