Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A house has feelings too in warm, clever attachment tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When HOMESICK begins, a little girl named Poppy is very excited to go to her grandparents' house to spend the night for the first time. But Home, the house where she lives, is not excited. Poppy is ready, but Home isn't. As soon as she leaves, Home starts missing her. "Home felt hollow and echoey. ... Home felt almost a little ... sick." By morning, Poppy isn't feeling too good, either. Her understanding grandmother, Mimi, asks her, "I wonder if you're homesick?" And she explains that the folks and pets at home probably miss her, too. "You know," Mimi says, "it can help to remember there's a good home waiting when you're out having adventures." That perks Poppy up and she has a few more adventures before returning home, full of joy to be back.
Is It Any Good?
This clever, creative story of a girl missing home during her first sleep-away experience imagines Home missing her as much as she misses home. Homesick honors the girl's feelings of missing her parents and pets and other familiar things while also imagining Home as a being with feelings, too. "Home couldn't stop thinking about Poppy: the faces she made when she brushed her hair, her stomp, stomp, stomping down the stairs, even her bing Floppy Poppy on the couch or window seat or living-room floor."
Illustrator Daniel Miyares' ink-and-gouache spreads effectively contrast bright yellow and pink scenes showing how Poppy is feeling with melancholy shades of blue for scenes of how Home is feeling. Co-authors Audrey Varnick and Liz Garton Scanlon zero in on a relatable experience that can happen at any sleepover or family travel outing, but layer in the emotions of parents (and pets!) who'll miss you, while underscoring that even the physical place where you live is just not the same when you're not there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the point of view in Homesick. What's it like to imagine the place where you live missing you when you're gone? What would your place miss about you?
What do you fill up your place with when you get home from school or an outing? Noise? Laughter? Yelling? Playing? What would it sound like when you're not there?
Poppy's grandmother senses that Poppy is missing home and lets her know it's OK to feel a little sad when you miss your parents, pets, and familiar things. Why is empathy an important character strength? How does it help Poppy with her homesickness?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Daniel Miyares
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Family Stories ( Grandparents ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Neal Porter Books
- Publication date : August 25, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 23, 2026
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