Searching for Home

K-Gr 2–Noa, a wee house-sprite who lives on the top of a mountain, is fantastic at finding things—objects like a big old bone or bottles to tap out a tune, and even himself in the reflection of a mirror. What he can’t find at home is a friend. Any friend will do, and he looks high and low, but realizes he has to leave his home to search. Encounters with a bear, a ferret, and a wolf result in a merry band of searchers, experiencing adventures that would not be out of place in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore. Across seasons, they determine they are in need of a home and spy Noa’s house. What’s wrong? Noa is adamant that his house is a terrible house for there are no friends there. “But what about us?” Preschoolers are always up for a hunt, and most of the charm comes through in the illustrations which reveal the accumulation of friends and the many close calls they have with danger. The conversation, though, borders on twee: “‘I found a bear! I’ve never found a bear before. What do bears do? What do they like?’/ ‘Bears like to sleep in cozy places. And bears like berries—lots of berries.’/ ‘I love berries too! Bear, will you join me and help me find my new home?’/ ‘Will it be warm there? And ... will there be berries?’/ ‘We’ll only stay if there are.’” This is a minor quibble. The book is a fun read-aloud for this age group and has a very satisfying ending.