Books About Home with Henry

Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol

Freda uses jars to save everything from a chocolate chip cookie to the full moon, just as her grandmother saves summer blueberries. Will it work the same way to save people and moments she loves? Can you hold onto memories too tightly? The book also includes a pretty great recipe for blueberry jam!

​​​​​​​Saturday by Oge Mora

Ava and her mom have a special Saturday routine, since her mom works Sunday through Friday. But what happens when the plans are interrupted? In their wonderful home together, Ava and her mom find a way to appreciate each other and create memories.

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan

I’m sure I’ll come back to this book for many other lists including ‘home renovations’ and ‘homes away from home’, but it certainly belongs on this list about how memories transform a house into a home. The intergenerational fixer-upper means so much to the family in the story, especially because the house’s small size and simplicity are balanced by power and longevity of memories made there.

​​​​​​​Rosa’s Song by Helena Ku Rhee

Jae and his family have to make a difficult move from South Korea to a new city in a new country. His longing for his old home is assuaged by Rosa, a girl with a parrot who live in Jae’s apartment building. She teaches him a song: “When I fly away, my heart stays here”. Their friendship helps Jae feel more at home, but Rosa abruptly disappears. How Jae remembers her and honors their friendship shows the power of her welcoming newcomers.

Leo, a ghost story by Mac Barnett

This book explores how whether it’s good or bad for a ghost to haunt a house depends on your perspective. Ghosts can easily be misunderstood but when Leo plays an important role in a family’s life, it becomes clear that he’s part of the family.