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A Lyrical and Thoughtful Story About Finding Stability, Belonging, and Hope

Featured in the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, Exhibition called Building Stories

This moving picture book follows Claire and Wes as their idea of home changes through a series of uncertain living situations. Told in simple, poetic language, the story traces their journey from a familiar house to temporary places, including a motel and a shelter, and eventually to a more lasting home. Along the way, young readers see how unfamiliar environments and questions from others can feel unsettling, while the bond between the children provides comfort and strength.

The lyrical text makes complex experiences accessible for children and supports meaningful conversation with adults. A Reader’s Note offers additional context about how housing instability affects children and shares ways families and communities can help.

Key Features

• Poetic, Accessible Storytelling: Uses simple, lyrical language to explore changing living situations in a child-centered way.
• Themes of Connection and Resilience: Highlights the importance of relationships and hope during times of transition.
• Conversation Starter: Encourages discussion about housing, belonging, and empathy.
• Educational Context: Includes a Reader’s Note with information on how homelessness affects children and ways to offer support.
• Trusted Publisher: From Magination Press, the children's imprint of the American Psychological Association, experts in child development and emotional well-being.

Tonya Lippert, PhD, LCSW, runs mental health therapy groups at Kaiser Permanente and is the co-author of a book on ADHD as well as the author of the children’s book Goodbye, School. She herself
keeps saying “Hello, School,” as she previously worked as a visiting psychology professor at Reed College and is currently working on her JD at Case Western Reserve University. Except when traveling
for school or other reasons, she can be found at her Portland, OR house, which is nearly 110 years old. Visit tonyalippert.blog and @tlipk on Twitter.

Andrea Stegmaier is an illustrator and architect with a passion for children’s books. She draws digital and traditional, straight lines and wonky lines, serious and funny things, animals and people, houses and plants,
simply everything. She lives in a small old row house in Stuttgart, Germany. Visit andreastegmaier.com, @AndreaStegmaier on Twitter, and @Andrea_Stegmaier on Instagram.