Homegrown

by DeAnn Wiley, DeAnn Wiley (Illustrator)

Overview

A touching and stunningly illustrated ode to the homes—and loved ones—that raise us, perfect for fans of Black Is a Rainbow Color, Saturday, and Last Stop on Market Street.

While her mother puts the finishing touches on her twists, a young girl asks what it means to be "homegrown". Touring precious memories and lively rooms warmed by family, Mama and Granny explain that home isn't just a place, but rather a reflection of people who support and love one another.

With lush, cozy illustrations, Homegrown is a beautiful author-illustrator debut picture book that reminds us to lift up the places—and people—we call home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250365934
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	01/09/2024
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	45 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

DeAnn Wiley is a self-taught illustrator with a master’s degree in counseling psychology born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She advocates for social justice from the intersection of multiple identities—Black, Woman, Queer, and Disabled— and she stands in solidarity with other marginalized communities outside of her own. When she’s not painting, she’s learning, growing, and healing, with each phase of her journey depicted in her art. She is the illustrator of Sarah Rising and the Sunday Adventures series; Homegrown is her author-illustrator debut.
deelasheeartistry.com

Editorial Reviews

"Reading this is a lot like thumbing through a scrapbook, inspiring conversations with young readers as they recognize their own families in the pages. . . Homegrown is a happy depiction of a quiet triumph: how African American families create that safe space called home." —Oprah Daily

"A sweet, meditative story of a young Black girl and her intergenerational household, and the love and care that goes into making a “home.” . . . Sparse text is on the smaller side and ranges one or two sentences per page, giving Wiley space to capture the kaleidoscope brightness of joyful Black girlhood. . . Vibrant and hopeful, ­Wiley’s author-illustrator debut about a young Black girl and her loving community belongs in every collection." —School Library Journal, starred review

"The warm, collagelike, digitally rendered illustrations spotlight the memories of a loving extended Black family . . . This one will make a wonderful intergenerational read-aloud. A joyous celebration of family." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-10-21
A Black child ponders the meaning of home through the lens of family and culture.

Our unnamed protagonist tells us that Mama often says the child is “homegrown.” As Mama twists the child’s hair, she begins to explain what “home” means—it means family traditions (such as game nights and dance parties) and sleepovers with cousins piled in the living room with snacks. Granny says that home is taking care of what you love—whether it’s cleaning on Saturday mornings or tending to the garden where you grow the veggies for the family dinners that Granny, Mama, and the child make together. More examples of home include caring for your hair and preparing for the future. Ultimately, home is the memories you create and pass along; it’s the place where you feel cared for, protected, and uplifted. The warm, collagelike, digitally rendered illustrations spotlight the memories of a loving extended Black family. The beautifully textured spreads and simple, fluid prose complement one another, setting an easy pace. The text, narrated in first person by the protagonist, is general enough that many readers will effortlessly see themselves in this fictional family, leading them to contemplate the meaning of home. This one will make a wonderful intergenerational read-aloud.

A joyous celebration of family. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews