Old Blue Is My Home
A Picture Book
Published on 3. July 2025
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-4197-7152-1 (ISBN)
Description
"Brimming with heart, Old Blue Is My Home is a tender reminder that there are as many definitions of 'home' as there are of 'love.'" (Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate)
This poignant yet reassuring picture book follows a family and the van that provides them with safety, warmth, and togetherness amid economic and housing insecurity.
Multiple starred reviews! "A family who lives in their van has everything they need in an important and seldom discussed topic done extremely well. A must-have." (School Library Journal starred review)
An old blue van may not look like much, but it holds everything this family needs-shelter, a place to sleep, and each other. They can cook outdoors and sleep under the stars, but sometimes living in Old Blue makes our narrator feel like she's from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
When those feelings start to take over, Mama reminds her of the love inside Old Blue's walls.
Inspired by her childhood experience with economic and housing insecurity, acclaimed creator Lita Judge tells the gentle and ultimately hopeful story of a family who hopes for a forever home-but until that day comes, Old Blue will look after them.
Back matter includes a personal author's note and more information for kids about housing insecurity.
This poignant yet reassuring picture book follows a family and the van that provides them with safety, warmth, and togetherness amid economic and housing insecurity.
Multiple starred reviews! "A family who lives in their van has everything they need in an important and seldom discussed topic done extremely well. A must-have." (School Library Journal starred review)
An old blue van may not look like much, but it holds everything this family needs-shelter, a place to sleep, and each other. They can cook outdoors and sleep under the stars, but sometimes living in Old Blue makes our narrator feel like she's from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
When those feelings start to take over, Mama reminds her of the love inside Old Blue's walls.
Inspired by her childhood experience with economic and housing insecurity, acclaimed creator Lita Judge tells the gentle and ultimately hopeful story of a family who hopes for a forever home-but until that day comes, Old Blue will look after them.
Back matter includes a personal author's note and more information for kids about housing insecurity.
Reviews / Votes
***STARRED REVIEW***"Expertly capturing a child's perspective, Judge's matter-of-fact text is tinged with deep emotion-this is both a paean to a temporary home and a wish for more. Her sumptuous illustrations glow with warmth, inviting readers to linger...A compelling, immersive, and wholly empathetic musing on home." * Kirkus Reviews * ***STARRED REVIEW***
"Depicting warm and hazy details, nature, love, and joy, Judge's watercolor and colored pencil illustrations pair perfectly with the spare text while capturing the feel of life in and out of the van...A family who lives in their van has everything they need in an important and seldom discussed topic done extremely well. A must-have" * School Library Journal * "The girl's tender narration works well with Judge's dreamy illustrations to create a small, cozy world, nestling the reader in the van with the family, and the characters' love for each other is centered through both illustrated glances and affirming words. Soft watercolors and colored pencil in shades of blue pair with melodic text to make this story perfect for a quiet one-on-one read with a child who is willing to be a little patient and do some gentle exploration." * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * "[B]eautifully illustrated...with a concise, original text and lovely watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations, this picture book offers an enlightening read-aloud experience and could lead to some rewarding discussions." * Booklist * "Making it easy to feel what the child feels, this nuanced work honors the hope of one day having a "forever home" alongside the way Old Blue "gives us shelter and keeps us safe"-and knits the family close." * Publishers Weekly *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Abrams
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Illustrations
Full-color illustrations throughout
Dimensions
Height: 262 mm
Width: 261 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4197-7152-1 (9781419771521)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2025
Abrams Books for Young Readers
€16.49
Available for download
Person
Lita Judge is the award-winning author-illustrator of many children's books, including Dogs: A History of Our Best Friends, The Wisdom of Trees, Born in the Wild, Flight School, Red Sled, and her illustrated young adult novel, Mary's Monster, as well as the illustrator of Forty Winks: A Bedtime Adventure, written by Kelly DiPucchio. She lives with her husband, three cats, and a parrot in New Hampshire.