Being Home

Praise for Being Home By Traci Sorell; illustrated by Michaela Goade:

An ALSC’s 2025 Día Booklist for Birth to Pre-K
A Publishers Weekly Best Picture Book of 2024
A 2025 ALSC Notable Children’s Book
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2024
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2024
American Booksellers Association May/June 2024 Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
CSMCL Best Books of 2024
Common Sense Media’s Best Books of 2024
A Bank Street Best Book of 2025


★ “An evocative, heartwarming testament to the power of home and community.”
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★” It’s a joyful image of a family embracing change that examines “the rhythm of being home.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “[With] lush, detailed illustrations…[the] girl’s imagination is rendered in a vibrant pink hue that is present in one way or another on every page. The family’s ‘new’ home is a place of community and warmth, a place where the ‘rhythm of home’ is palpable. Readers young and old will want to linger with these gorgeous pages, noting the rich textures and details.”
— Booklist, starred review

★ “The author beautifully expresses core themes of family and the importance of full self-realization on ancestral land; in doing so, she echoes the oh-so-important rhythms which animate her characters. Goade’s mixed-media art is at once delicate and strong, with spirited, sparkling colors and a keen sense of motion that reinforces the text’s rhythm and energy…an exceptional offering, emphasizing the inherent rhythms and motions of life.”
— Shelf Awareness, starred review

★ “Sorell’s minimal but resonant text speaks from an authentically childlike voice…Goade’s blend of media is beautiful, with the cool jewel tones of the city giving way to gentler, bright greens and browns as mother and daughter return to a place that embraces them fully…While this will especially resonate with Indigenous children considering their heritage, the thoughtful text and beautiful visuals will engage any kid in contemplating what it means to be at home.”
— BCCB, starred review

“Being Home embodies emotional depth, cultural significance, and artistic brilliance. [This is] an unforgettable achievement that captures what makes picture books extraordinary.” — Annisha Jeffries, Calling Caldecott, The Horn Book

“A grounded depiction of treasuring home and culture, skillfully presented by two artists of Indigenous backgrounds.”
— School Library Journal

“Goade’s illustrations are warm, joyous, and vibrant. It’s a beautiful celebration of Indigenous culture and what it means to be home.”
— Book Riot