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Julia's House #1
Julia's House for Lost Creatures
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2014)When Julia and her walking house come to town, she likes everything about her new neighborhood except how quiet it is! So Julia puts a sign up: "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." Soon she's hosting goblins, mermaids, fairies, and even a dragon. Quiet isn't a problem anymore for Julia...but getting her housemates to behave themselves is!
The simple, sweet text of this picture book by New York Times Best-Selling Zita the Spacegirl author/illustrator Ben Hatke is perfectly balanced by his lush, detailed, immersive watercolor illustrations.
The simple, sweet text of this picture book by New York Times Best-Selling Zita the Spacegirl author/illustrator Ben Hatke is perfectly balanced by his lush, detailed, immersive watercolor illustrations.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2014
16 people are currently reading
3334 people want to read
About the author
Ben Hatke
24 books1,200 followersBen Hatke is an author and illustrator of graphic novels and picture books. Most notably he is the creator of the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series.
He posts art and stories online at:
www.benhatke.com
He posts art and stories online at:
www.benhatke.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 649 reviews
February 17, 2016
We've had this book for a while, and I was surprised to find that I hadn't already written about it on here already
Simply said: my kids adore it, and so do I.
It's a fun story about a young girl who opens her house up to mythical creatures, has some problems with her thoughtless guests, then resolves them. Nice pacing. Lovely illustrations.
The mythology isn't half-assed generic stuff either. Partially based in folklore, partially original. Ben brought in the Folletti, which I had to look up. If I knew of them at one point, I'd forgotten about them.
What puts this over the top as a kids book are some of the invisible extras. Not morals, because morals are too frequently preachy and heavy handed. I'm just talking about good, socially nutritive stuff that it's nice to have in *any* book. But that's triply nice to have in a kid's book.
For example, Julia is a great character who happens to be a girl. As opposed to being a Tough Girl Character Doing It For Herself Despite The Fact That She's A Girl And Girls Are Usually Seen As Helpless In Our Culture (TM) She's hospitable and hard-working. She takes care of her own problems.
It's nice to see Julia get frustrated, then talk with people and make changes that will fix her frustrations. It's nice to see people behaving thoughtlessly (which makes them rude), then changing their behavior to be helpful (Which makes them kind.) And it's nice to have a kid's book where everyone has chores, because that's something kids should be exposed to in books.
I love this approach in books. It's not preachy or pushy, but it has good things in it. It's not like someone forcing medicine down your throat for your own good. It's the equivalent of a healthy, delicious meal.
So yeah, highly recommended.
pat
Simply said: my kids adore it, and so do I.
It's a fun story about a young girl who opens her house up to mythical creatures, has some problems with her thoughtless guests, then resolves them. Nice pacing. Lovely illustrations.
The mythology isn't half-assed generic stuff either. Partially based in folklore, partially original. Ben brought in the Folletti, which I had to look up. If I knew of them at one point, I'd forgotten about them.
What puts this over the top as a kids book are some of the invisible extras. Not morals, because morals are too frequently preachy and heavy handed. I'm just talking about good, socially nutritive stuff that it's nice to have in *any* book. But that's triply nice to have in a kid's book.
For example, Julia is a great character who happens to be a girl. As opposed to being a Tough Girl Character Doing It For Herself Despite The Fact That She's A Girl And Girls Are Usually Seen As Helpless In Our Culture (TM) She's hospitable and hard-working. She takes care of her own problems.
It's nice to see Julia get frustrated, then talk with people and make changes that will fix her frustrations. It's nice to see people behaving thoughtlessly (which makes them rude), then changing their behavior to be helpful (Which makes them kind.) And it's nice to have a kid's book where everyone has chores, because that's something kids should be exposed to in books.
I love this approach in books. It's not preachy or pushy, but it has good things in it. It's not like someone forcing medicine down your throat for your own good. It's the equivalent of a healthy, delicious meal.
So yeah, highly recommended.
pat
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March 3, 2023
This has been my 3 year old’s favorite book for awhile now. But their favorite music right now is also Harry Styles—we even had a Harry Styles themed birthday party—so I propose this spin-off:
Julia’s House For Lost Creatures meets Harry’s House the album
Sorry, Ben Hatke. Jokes aside, this is a wonderful and cute story. I really like how Julia just shows up into town with her house on the back of a turtle like some cool high plains drifter that is also a marine life Baba Yaga. As Julia is lonely, she puts up a sign to welcome all lost creatures and welcomes a vast variety into her cozy home. Which is cool but also chaos and Julia must find a way for them to all leave peacefully, quietly and productively for the betterment of them all.
I enjoyed the aspect that the creatures are given tasks but it isn’t in like a capitalist “you need to have a job to be valued in society” but more a commune “we all cooperate to help each other thrive” vibe. Plus the watercolor artwork is really adorable and whimsical. I like the wide variety of creatures (my child’s favorite is Patched-Up Kitty who is probably mine too but I do love the cute Pac-Man looking ghost using the feather duster). Plus the whole series continues to be great after this, each with a cute message and all three can be read during one bedtime without being overly long. So thanks, Ben Hatke, these are some real winners.
Julia’s House For Lost Creatures meets Harry’s House the album
Sorry, Ben Hatke. Jokes aside, this is a wonderful and cute story. I really like how Julia just shows up into town with her house on the back of a turtle like some cool high plains drifter that is also a marine life Baba Yaga. As Julia is lonely, she puts up a sign to welcome all lost creatures and welcomes a vast variety into her cozy home. Which is cool but also chaos and Julia must find a way for them to all leave peacefully, quietly and productively for the betterment of them all.
I enjoyed the aspect that the creatures are given tasks but it isn’t in like a capitalist “you need to have a job to be valued in society” but more a commune “we all cooperate to help each other thrive” vibe. Plus the watercolor artwork is really adorable and whimsical. I like the wide variety of creatures (my child’s favorite is Patched-Up Kitty who is probably mine too but I do love the cute Pac-Man looking ghost using the feather duster). Plus the whole series continues to be great after this, each with a cute message and all three can be read during one bedtime without being overly long. So thanks, Ben Hatke, these are some real winners.
March 23, 2024
This had one of the best illustrations I ever seen.
LOVELY
LOVELY
first-second-publications
September 5, 2014We're so delighted to be publishing Ben Hatke's first-ever picture book.
I feel like Julia is a tiny Anne of Green Gables from a magical world. If I was orphan!Anne and left alone by my parents, I would hope that this house would come pick me up and I would attract all of these lovely, fantastical friends (even if they had to be organized into cleaning up after themselves).
We hope you love this book, too!
I feel like Julia is a tiny Anne of Green Gables from a magical world. If I was orphan!Anne and left alone by my parents, I would hope that this house would come pick me up and I would attract all of these lovely, fantastical friends (even if they had to be organized into cleaning up after themselves).
We hope you love this book, too!
March 23, 2024
خدای من😍🤧
April 5, 2017
We're in the midst of reading all the Hatke books my library has to offer.
After Gabe finished this one, he said, "It could just as easily have been called Erica's House for Lost Creatures."
He's not wrong.
Well, he kind of is. Having that many messy creatures in the house would drive me nuts. Well, I guess Julia had a similar reaction and I'd have had a solution not so different from hers so...yeah, I guess Gabe isn't wrong.
The story doesn't pack the same kind of punch one finds in the books for older kids but the illustrations are just as delightful. I love the fun little things all around.
Also, the re-appearance of characters such as:
And this guy who isn't much different from the troll in Nobody Likes a Goblin
Ditto the ghostie
All sorts of familiar creatures from Hatkes other works make an appearance, or, at least, their relatives do, in this one, so that's super fun.
Yeah, this Hatke guy, he's pretty swell.
After Gabe finished this one, he said, "It could just as easily have been called Erica's House for Lost Creatures."
He's not wrong.
Well, he kind of is. Having that many messy creatures in the house would drive me nuts. Well, I guess Julia had a similar reaction and I'd have had a solution not so different from hers so...yeah, I guess Gabe isn't wrong.
The story doesn't pack the same kind of punch one finds in the books for older kids but the illustrations are just as delightful. I love the fun little things all around.
Also, the re-appearance of characters such as:
And this guy who isn't much different from the troll in Nobody Likes a Goblin
Ditto the ghostie
All sorts of familiar creatures from Hatkes other works make an appearance, or, at least, their relatives do, in this one, so that's super fun.
Yeah, this Hatke guy, he's pretty swell.
July 5, 2023
میتونم بگم خیلی زیبا بود.
جولیا تصمیم میگیره بره توی خونه ای بزرگ زندگی کنه ولی بعد از مدتی احساس تنهایی میکنه،پس از عجیبها و غریبها دعوت میکنه تا به خونهش بیان.
اولش جولیا همهی کارهارو خودش به گردن میگیره چون در نظرش عجیبها و غریبها «مهمان» هستند.
ولی وقتی کمکم جلو میره متوجه میشه این «مهمانها» موندگار شدند. پس بهشون وظایف میده که هرکس گوشه ی کار رو برعهده بگیر و حالا همه موندگار شدند و کسی احساس بدی نداره.
جولیا تصمیم میگیره بره توی خونه ای بزرگ زندگی کنه ولی بعد از مدتی احساس تنهایی میکنه،پس از عجیبها و غریبها دعوت میکنه تا به خونهش بیان.
اولش جولیا همهی کارهارو خودش به گردن میگیره چون در نظرش عجیبها و غریبها «مهمان» هستند.
ولی وقتی کمکم جلو میره متوجه میشه این «مهمانها» موندگار شدند. پس بهشون وظایف میده که هرکس گوشه ی کار رو برعهده بگیر و حالا همه موندگار شدند و کسی احساس بدی نداره.
December 11, 2020
Darling! I first encountered Hatke's illustrations in the charming Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure series and Julia looks like she could be a little sister of Missy -- and she certainly has the same talent for helping others. I love the imagination in this book. The assortment of creatures is a delight, as is the house itself. I also love Julia's welcoming and giving nature -- but also the fact that she won't stand for laziness and discord and that everyone has to pull their weight. Charming.
April 19, 2019
نقاشي هاش رو خيلييي دوست داشتم.
September 1, 2019
The fantasy themed illustrations are so aesthetically pleasing and the story is short but charming. The moral of the story is that no one wants to be alone but people shouldn't take advantage of other's hospitality and should help out with what they can. But mostly, I think this story serves perfectly for a majestic parade of fantasy characters.
September 3, 2014
Ben Hatke is known for the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novels, the third and final volume of which came out earlier this year. Now he is venturing into children's books with JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES, and his skills transfer very well. His art is adorable and immensely appealing. The trolls and mermaids and dragons and patchwork kitties (lost creatures all) are absolutely adorable.
There's a great deal of detail in the illustrations, perfect for kids who like to go over every page to point out every little thing. (Yes, that would be my niece and nephew.) I really think this helps add to the re-read value of JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES.
The text itself is a short and sweet poem about Julia's house filling up with creature after creature and how she handles it. It's a good length for a bedtime story, and I think JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES is perfect for reading aloud to a child. At the same time, it's simple enough to be a good text for really early readers.
If you're looking for a story with a walking house (that is too quiet), a lonely girl, and whimsical monsters, then JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES is a real treat.
There's a great deal of detail in the illustrations, perfect for kids who like to go over every page to point out every little thing. (Yes, that would be my niece and nephew.) I really think this helps add to the re-read value of JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES.
The text itself is a short and sweet poem about Julia's house filling up with creature after creature and how she handles it. It's a good length for a bedtime story, and I think JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES is perfect for reading aloud to a child. At the same time, it's simple enough to be a good text for really early readers.
If you're looking for a story with a walking house (that is too quiet), a lonely girl, and whimsical monsters, then JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES is a real treat.
April 29, 2015
I love the name "Julia."
This Julia is a very cute girl who lives in a mansion on the back of a gigantic tortoise. She moves to a new town.
The house is too quiet for her, though. So she goes to her workshop to make a sign that says JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES.
This attracts a lot of messy creatures, including but not limited to: dwarves, a mermaid, a patchwork cat that can walk up walls, a giant troll, a bitty ghost, a sea serpent, a giant snail, and some Hayao Miyazaki-looking things. o.O
Now, instead of being disturbed by how quiet her house is, she is disturbed by how messy and noisy it is.
...
The story and illustrations are cute. The book is a little too message-y for me () but overall cute and fun. I like creatures such as mermaids, sea serpents, and patchwork cats. I also like Hayao Miyazaki and was reminded a bit of his work in this book.
This Julia is a very cute girl who lives in a mansion on the back of a gigantic tortoise. She moves to a new town.
The house is too quiet for her, though. So she goes to her workshop to make a sign that says JULIA'S HOUSE FOR LOST CREATURES.
This attracts a lot of messy creatures, including but not limited to: dwarves, a mermaid, a patchwork cat that can walk up walls, a giant troll, a bitty ghost, a sea serpent, a giant snail, and some Hayao Miyazaki-looking things. o.O
Now, instead of being disturbed by how quiet her house is, she is disturbed by how messy and noisy it is.
...
The story and illustrations are cute. The book is a little too message-y for me () but overall cute and fun. I like creatures such as mermaids, sea serpents, and patchwork cats. I also like Hayao Miyazaki and was reminded a bit of his work in this book.
October 1, 2019
When Julia's house comes to town (atop a massive turtle), and settles by the sea, Julia herself finds things a little too quiet. Putting up a sign welcoming lost creatures, she is soon playing host to a patchy cat, a troll, a troop of folletti, a mermaid, and many other fantastical beings. Not unexpectedly, chaos soon reins, and Julia must take charge so that all may enjoy the house together...
An engaging tale of fantastic creatures all finding refuge with one unusual girl in her unusual home, Julia's House for Lost Creatures features a story that will keep young children entertained and charming artwork that perfectly captures the magic of the story. Had I read this first as a girl, I would have longed to live in Julia's house, and I suspect many young children today will feel the same! Recommended to anyone looking for magical picture-books with equal parts humor and enchantment.
An engaging tale of fantastic creatures all finding refuge with one unusual girl in her unusual home, Julia's House for Lost Creatures features a story that will keep young children entertained and charming artwork that perfectly captures the magic of the story. Had I read this first as a girl, I would have longed to live in Julia's house, and I suspect many young children today will feel the same! Recommended to anyone looking for magical picture-books with equal parts humor and enchantment.
November 16, 2020
فضاش عالي بود. فوق العاده پر از حس. داستان با یه حالت دلخواه همه چی خوب شروع میشه،و قهرمان داستان مثل همه انسانها، این وضعیت رو تاب نمیاره و دلش ماجرا میخواد. و به جذاب ترین شکل ممکن به این هوسش پاسخ میده. تصويرهاي خيلي جذاب و داستاني واقعاجالب.
August 30, 2025
Wonderful book! Story and artwork! I love a children's book with big, vivid, interesting pictures and this is one of them...
Julia lives in a house which moves around on a giant, walking tortoise. Loved it! She's lonely, though, so puts out a notice asking for Lost Creatures...
And in they come!
I was a child with lots of 'creatures,' both 'stuffed' and plastic and made-up-in-my head. (I still have a few, scattered along my bedroom bureau.) I've told both grandsons - now ages 13 and 17 - that you never get too old for stuffed animals and creatures. Never!
Anyhow, the story's delightful, no morals to mess up things, no 'what did you learn from this...'
Just a story and there are sequels! I must go and get them...
Five stars.
Julia lives in a house which moves around on a giant, walking tortoise. Loved it! She's lonely, though, so puts out a notice asking for Lost Creatures...
And in they come!
I was a child with lots of 'creatures,' both 'stuffed' and plastic and made-up-in-my head. (I still have a few, scattered along my bedroom bureau.) I've told both grandsons - now ages 13 and 17 - that you never get too old for stuffed animals and creatures. Never!
Anyhow, the story's delightful, no morals to mess up things, no 'what did you learn from this...'
Just a story and there are sequels! I must go and get them...
Five stars.
April 1, 2024
Cute ^_^
February 20, 2025
I absolutely loved Julia's House for Lost Creatures! The illustrations are beautiful and whimsical, just the way I like them; the concept is fun and original; and the text is creatively placed without being difficult to read.
For some reason, it reminded me of my mom's favorite picture book, The Maggie B. by Irene Haas. The two books don't have a lot in common, but it was the first thing that came to mind when I started reading Julia's House for Lost Creatures.
I'd recommend this most for kids who love to rescue animals or want to own a lot of pets; fans of Irene Haas, Where the Wild Things Are, and Andréa Wesson; and anyone who doesn't like when things get too quiet.
I really hope Ben Hatke writes some more picture books for children (maybe even more starring Julia and her lovely creatures?), because I can't wait to read them.
Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.
Sept. 13, 2014: I read the hardcover today, and I still love it as much as when I read the digital galley back in March.
For some reason, it reminded me of my mom's favorite picture book, The Maggie B. by Irene Haas. The two books don't have a lot in common, but it was the first thing that came to mind when I started reading Julia's House for Lost Creatures.
I'd recommend this most for kids who love to rescue animals or want to own a lot of pets; fans of Irene Haas, Where the Wild Things Are, and Andréa Wesson; and anyone who doesn't like when things get too quiet.
I really hope Ben Hatke writes some more picture books for children (maybe even more starring Julia and her lovely creatures?), because I can't wait to read them.
Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.
Sept. 13, 2014: I read the hardcover today, and I still love it as much as when I read the digital galley back in March.
April 5, 2014
From the first page to the last, I enjoyed the layout of the illustrations. Many of the pages have multi-illustrations which tell the story as Julia creates her house and takes in the lost creatures. I regret having to read it on a tablet and would love to see the book’s illustrations in hardcopy.
Julia opens her house for lost creatures and pandemonium ensues. Knowing that not having them is not an option, she creates a chore chart and organizes them so that every creature has a place in the house and every creature contributes to helping the others. I love the jobs she give each creature, the fire breathing dragon makes toast for everyone, the mermaid washes dishes, each of the creatures having a job just right for them.
The solution to her problems always starts with make a sign. When the house is too quiet, she makes a sign to hang outside her door inviting in the creatures; when the creatures get too noisy, she runs to her workroom and creates another sign, the chore chart; and finally when the house is quiet except for the creak, drip and whosh, she creates another sign for the handyman.
Wonderful book for the elementary student. The story is right for PreK and primary as a read aloud and carries right through to the self sufficient reader for an independent read.
Julia opens her house for lost creatures and pandemonium ensues. Knowing that not having them is not an option, she creates a chore chart and organizes them so that every creature has a place in the house and every creature contributes to helping the others. I love the jobs she give each creature, the fire breathing dragon makes toast for everyone, the mermaid washes dishes, each of the creatures having a job just right for them.
The solution to her problems always starts with make a sign. When the house is too quiet, she makes a sign to hang outside her door inviting in the creatures; when the creatures get too noisy, she runs to her workroom and creates another sign, the chore chart; and finally when the house is quiet except for the creak, drip and whosh, she creates another sign for the handyman.
Wonderful book for the elementary student. The story is right for PreK and primary as a read aloud and carries right through to the self sufficient reader for an independent read.
January 14, 2025
I liked the book so much that as soon as I finished reading it I went back and read it again, and took more time to examine all the art, which is rewarding in that Hatke includes images from his other books. And since I’ve loved every one of this books….But this one got me to thinking. Julia lives in an adorable Queen Anne with a big front porch, and a fireplace, and built-in bookshelves and a big overstuffed comfy chair. It’s an immediately charming house, the big comfy chair by the fireplace is something that most people would love to have. So why is it no one builds houses like this? And why isn’t anyone selling chairs like this?
Library copy
Library copy
July 25, 2022
really cute pictures
February 23, 2023
توی این دنیا هیییچ چیز قشنگ تر از کتاب کودک نیست:)
April 7, 2022
Got it as a birthday gift for Vera and read it with her last night. Fun story and great art!
September 15, 2014
The watercolor illustrations that fill the pages of this book are lovely. The soft colors make the picture book perfect for a bedtime read. I loved the interesting creatures that showed up at Julia's doorstep (the kitty is my favorite).
Where the book is flawed for me is in it's simple storyline. It is very simple, which is what I expect and want in a picture book, but it overlooks many things that I wanted explained. The ending didn't wrap things up nicely for me and the storyline's rhythm didn't fare well as it was moving along and moving along and then suddenly stopped. While a picture book storyline might not be his forte, I will certainly keep reading Ben's work for those a bit older!
Book Received: For free from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reviewer: Jessica for Book Sake
Where the book is flawed for me is in it's simple storyline. It is very simple, which is what I expect and want in a picture book, but it overlooks many things that I wanted explained. The ending didn't wrap things up nicely for me and the storyline's rhythm didn't fare well as it was moving along and moving along and then suddenly stopped. While a picture book storyline might not be his forte, I will certainly keep reading Ben's work for those a bit older!
Book Received: For free from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reviewer: Jessica for Book Sake
March 5, 2015
A charming picture book about a lonely little girl who decides to house lost creatures from far and wide. The story is very cute, and the illustrations are as well, actually aiding the telling and the enjoyment of the story, rather than hindering them, as I've encountered far too often. Additionally, it is easily just as enjoyable for an older reader as for a child.
I especially liked the ghosties and the small gnome-like creatures that were 80% beard.
I especially liked the ghosties and the small gnome-like creatures that were 80% beard.
March 19, 2014
I got a copy from Net Galley so read this on my phone. The only thing I wished was that I had a real copy so I could see every detail of the amazing illustrations. The story is simple yet creative and can go from younger pre-k's to grade schoolers with ease. I'm eager to see how this works as a read aloud.
I look forward to more in this format from Ben Hatke in the future.
I look forward to more in this format from Ben Hatke in the future.
April 12, 2015
Do I feel embarrassed being 22 and have read this book? NO!
Come on, it was too cute to pass up and the illustrations were beautiful! Being an artist myself, I could truly appreciate the artwork. The little story was interesting to. All in all. CUTE. CUTE. CUTE.
Come on, it was too cute to pass up and the illustrations were beautiful! Being an artist myself, I could truly appreciate the artwork. The little story was interesting to. All in all. CUTE. CUTE. CUTE.
March 14, 2016
ADORABLE! As I read this, I wished it was a cartoon series like 'Adventure Time' with 11 minute stories about each creature that visited Julia's home. I love Ben Hatke's art style and all the little creatures he selected that would visit Julia's home.
Great little story!
Great little story!
March 14, 2014
I love this book. The illustrations are amazing. The story its self is fantastic. So cute and original.
September 8, 2017
Check out more picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Julia moves to the sea shore but her house is too quiet! So she puts up a sign: "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." Soon she has a whole mess of goblins, mermaids, fairies, and even a dragon. With so many guests they need a little order! Then she realizes the house needs a little work so she invites a fixer upper to join them...
I LOVE books about CREATURES!! So I was really excited for this book... watercolors are also a medium type that I just LOVE! I felt this book should have had everything!! The thing is I was a little disappointed. I didn't hate the book and its a cute way to teach children to clean up after themselves but I wasn't WOWED...
My main struggle was the way each illustration was framed. Almost every page had the illustrations sliding off the edge of the book. I know that there needed to be white space for the words but it just felt unbalanced. The dragon (my favorite character) was so indistinct that I had to go back and check to see if the whole of the dragon was ever on the page all at once! It IS but since there was no eyes it was hard to see it was even in the picture.... There are quite a few of these off feelings as I read... another is that there is A LOT of door knocking! WHY?! This is a creature book... and so on and so forth...
I do LOVE the water color look to the illustrations. I love the color palette with the soft browns, greens and blues. And Julia is a cute little thing. The creatures were a big blob to me... none stood out but I can't say I hated them. I just wasn't WOWED... My nephew chose to draw the cover and I thought it was a brilliant choice as it was one of the simpler drawings... he can't draw things well when they are blobbed all together...
We did ENJOY the story and the words... Everyone knows loneliness and I loved that she solved that by inviting others into her home. This can be applied to a pet, a new sibling or even friends. Then the story morphed into a message about cleaning up after one self. This is a great lesson on how everyone has their part to play based upon their abilities. I liked that... Then the ending was a bit puzzling! I guess all the knocking inspired the end with the noises that alerted Julia to some repairs... So the story was good... My nephew loved the knocking and the turtle on the back of the house... But I wasn't WOWED... The story was a little all over the place. The word choices were great and my nephew didn't struggle and he understood what was going on!!
Ben Hatke is definitely a picture book author and illustrator to watch out for... this wasn't the most perfect book but it was appealing to my nephew and inspired the imagination.
BOTTOM LINE: An adorable "clean up" creature book!
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
Julia moves to the sea shore but her house is too quiet! So she puts up a sign: "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." Soon she has a whole mess of goblins, mermaids, fairies, and even a dragon. With so many guests they need a little order! Then she realizes the house needs a little work so she invites a fixer upper to join them...
I LOVE books about CREATURES!! So I was really excited for this book... watercolors are also a medium type that I just LOVE! I felt this book should have had everything!! The thing is I was a little disappointed. I didn't hate the book and its a cute way to teach children to clean up after themselves but I wasn't WOWED...
My main struggle was the way each illustration was framed. Almost every page had the illustrations sliding off the edge of the book. I know that there needed to be white space for the words but it just felt unbalanced. The dragon (my favorite character) was so indistinct that I had to go back and check to see if the whole of the dragon was ever on the page all at once! It IS but since there was no eyes it was hard to see it was even in the picture.... There are quite a few of these off feelings as I read... another is that there is A LOT of door knocking! WHY?! This is a creature book... and so on and so forth...
I do LOVE the water color look to the illustrations. I love the color palette with the soft browns, greens and blues. And Julia is a cute little thing. The creatures were a big blob to me... none stood out but I can't say I hated them. I just wasn't WOWED... My nephew chose to draw the cover and I thought it was a brilliant choice as it was one of the simpler drawings... he can't draw things well when they are blobbed all together...
We did ENJOY the story and the words... Everyone knows loneliness and I loved that she solved that by inviting others into her home. This can be applied to a pet, a new sibling or even friends. Then the story morphed into a message about cleaning up after one self. This is a great lesson on how everyone has their part to play based upon their abilities. I liked that... Then the ending was a bit puzzling! I guess all the knocking inspired the end with the noises that alerted Julia to some repairs... So the story was good... My nephew loved the knocking and the turtle on the back of the house... But I wasn't WOWED... The story was a little all over the place. The word choices were great and my nephew didn't struggle and he understood what was going on!!
Ben Hatke is definitely a picture book author and illustrator to watch out for... this wasn't the most perfect book but it was appealing to my nephew and inspired the imagination.
BOTTOM LINE: An adorable "clean up" creature book!
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
August 6, 2023
I usually don’t add all the picture books I read my younger kids to Goodreads, but this one has been a hit with my disabled (nonverbal) 7 yo daughter and I have so enjoyed reading it to her I felt like I needed to add it to my own GR shelves. It’s a sweet book about making a home even if you don’t *quite* fit and there’s just something about Ben Hatke’s illustrations. 5 stars for bringing joy to our home!
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