Home for Grace Paperback – 2 November 2023

I was interested to see how this amazing author would handle the topic of homelessness when presenting it to young readers. The book surprised me in many ways.The very real problem of homelessness is presented in a way that children and adults can each easily grasp, understanding that an individual's reason for being homeless may be quite different from what one expects. Mother and child befriend Grace and her cat on appropriate levels, meaning that the mother's friendship with Grace is an adult one while Grace treats Jess with respect but shares her tale in a way that a young boy or girl could comprehend and be curious about but not afraid. Another thing I was struck with was the fact that each of the three human characters had a different skin tone. Also, it appeared that the mother was a single parent. The daily encounters highlighted good qualities in all three, and spending time with one another became part of their routine. However, there is a twist at the end. It's another reminder of reality, a lesson that not all things in life are neatly wrapped up and presented to us but that where there is love there is also hope and goodness. Diversity abounds in subtle and not-so-subtle ways throughout the storyline and the illustrations.I plan to share this book with a young relative who is 8 but who has reading challenges. Therefore, I don't know how to rate the reading difficulty of the book for an average reader in the targeted age group. MY own son is in his 30s, and I was an advanced reader from early childhood. I would say it is appropriate for the suggested reading age.

Grace appears in a shop doorway, her sad story is told in pictures alongside her present situation where she is befriended by a mum and daughter. This book is also topical, given the current debates around migrants and refugees looking for a safe home in the UK. I would recommend sharing Grace’s story to explain why people take dangerous boat journeys. Lovely!

HOME FOR GRACEI love this book it is simply a delight to read.Sensitively written by the celebrated children’s author Kathryn White and exquisitely illustrated by Rachael Dean, Home for Grace will bring to the attention of your children and grand children the important issue of homelessness which faces so many in this selfish and greedy world.It will act as a reminder too that, for many of these poor souls, it is not always their own fault.The storyline which is engaging from the very beginning will compassionately guide every little reader, through its touching message, to an inspirational ending and a warm glow.Peter Butler

Home for Grace is beautifully illustrated and tells a thought provoking and compassionate story. It shows the need for kindness and understanding of those less fortunate. I bought it for my grandchildren and it was so good to actually watch them read and engage in a heartwarming book that carried such a powerful message. I can’t recommend this book enough! Wonderful!