The Moving Book, written and illustrated by Lisa Brown. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 3 aand up$

 

"Grandpa lived far away, but Nana and Poppa 
were near. 

When Grandpa visited, we all went to a restaurant
where the food came on little carts. 

We could take the bus with Mom and Dad downtown
to visit the museum - the one with the dinosaur. You 
were so afraid. 

We didn't live there very long."

In my long life, I have lived in 7 different places all in the same city; three before 5, three in the early years of our marriage, and the last 53 years in the house I still call home. I hope to be here for the rest of my life. I have fond memories of each one of those moves and the changes they brought to my life.

This story's family has many moves under their belts. The older brother is narrator and is explaining to his little sister that, even if she doesn't remember all of those moves, he does. As he shares his memories of their homes, he also describes the surroundings. A move into a big apartment building with three elevators was perfect for trick-o-treating, a dim sum restaurant was close by, and public transportation took them downtown to the museum where there were dinosaurs. Moving into one of the homes offered new experiences. They each had their own bedroom, and there was a yard to play in with neighborhood children. 

The upcoming move means they will be living with Grandpa. 

"Mom says that we will probably 
stay in this home for a long time, 
but you never know. 

                       It's okay ... 

                            we are good at moving."

In a story filled with charm and humor, Ms. Brown shows in her mixed-media and expressive artwork a different reality at times than the memory being shared. At every turn, readers are treated to scenarios that invite careful looks. It's refreshing to see the variety of homes they inhabit as the years pass, while ending on a hopeful note that this might be their last move. If not, they have experiences that prove being together, no matter where, is home. 

As she did in The Airport Book (Roaring Brook, 2016) and The Hospital Book (Holiday House, 2023), the author uses the same family to tell her story. Imagine having all three together as a reading experience for your family! What a fun trip to the library that would be. What might you discover?