Homegrown

Title:

Homegrown

Author:

Summary:

While her mother puts the finishing touches on her twists, a young girl asks what it means to be "homegrown". Touring precious memories and lively rooms warmed by family, Mama and Granny explain that home isn't just a place, but rather a reflection of people who support and love one another. -- Amazon.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Home -- Juvenile fiction.

African Americans -- Juvenile fiction.

African American families -- Juvenile fiction.

Publisher:

Henry Holt and Company,

Publication Date:

2024

ISBN:

9781250876379

Publication Information:

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2024.

Call Number:

P WILEY

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003701953	New Picture Books	WILEY	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A touching and stunningly illustrated ode to the homes--and loved ones--that raise us, perfect for fans of Black Is a Rainbow Color , Saturday , and Last Stop on Market Street.

While her mother puts the finishing touches on her twists, a young girl asks what it means to be "homegrown". Touring precious memories and lively rooms warmed by family, Mama and Granny explain that home isn't just a place, but rather a reflection of people who support and love one another.

With lush, cozy illustrations, Homegrown is a beautiful author-illustrator debut picture book that reminds us to lift up the places--and people--we call home.

Author Notes

DeAnn Wiley is a self-taught illustrator with a master's degree in counseling psychology born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She advocates for social justice from the intersection of multiple identities--Black, Woman, Queer, and Disabled-- and she stands in solidarity with other marginalized communities outside of her own. When she's not painting, she's learning, growing, and healing, with each phase of her journey depicted in her art. She is the illustrator of Sarah Rising and the Sunday Adventures series; Homegrown is her author-illustrator debut.
deelasheeartistry.com

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 3--A sweet, meditative story of a young Black girl and her intergenerational household, and the love and care that goes into making a "home." In first person, an unnamed narrator introduces readers to her family and their myriad definitions of such a big, broad word. Home, and this book, impart both happiness and life lessons. Home is game nights and sleepovers with loved ones, but it's also caring for family spaces through cleaning and gardening. It is safety, and passing down wisdom. Home is where love happens, as a verb and a personal embodiment: "I look at myself in the mirror, smiling at my fresh twists, and I see home." Wiley's stunning, trademark digital collage artwork keeps the eye roving over bold prints and dynamic family fun. Sparse text is on the smaller side and ranges one or two sentences per page, giving Wiley space to capture the kaleidoscope brightness of joyful Black girlhood (bobby pins and rollers on a bathroom counter; smiling family photos filling the walls; Grandma's delicious pancake breakfast after Saturday chores). The text size could prove challenging for fledgling readers, but this would make an excellent story time or partner read, and could be used in elementary units about homes, family, and identity. VERDICT Vibrant and hopeful, Wiley's author-illustrator debut about a young Black girl and her loving community belongs in every collection. --Ashleigh Williams