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A lot can
be said about that little house, even before you open the book. Instantly recognisable
is the one door, two windows and a chimney, (well two actually) construction
that is the go-to design when a child draws a house for the first time. It has
a face of sorts, making it ‘alive’ and with its almost scale like shimmering
tiled arms and legs, there is no doubt that this little house has character and
a unique personality. All of this combined make for the perfect book cover that
children will pick up wanting desperately to know what the story is all about.
Well done Simon.
And what about
that story? It begins, ‘Once there was a house that didn’t feel at home.’ What
a great opening line. I’m sure many of us can completely relate to that
sentence. What I love is that this little house decided to do something about
it.
The House
that Walked Away follows
the little house as it searches for somewhere that ‘feels right’. Somewhere that
feels like home. Discontent, It never stays in one place for long as nowhere
seems to fit, or perhaps it feels that it, doesn’t fit anywhere. One day a
family notices this little house and begins to follow it. That’s when
everything changes.
With under
200 words this may come across as a picture book with a simple story, but I can
assure you it is not. Those words have been perfectly chosen and combined with the
illustrations create something unexpectantly emotional.
Let me just
take a moment to give credit to those illustrations as they rightly deserve. To
begin Simon has created a house full of hope and yearning. A house…. with
emotions…. that is a marvel in itself, but it just gets better from there.
Composition
wise, the book changes from full spreads to an almost graphic novel approach,
perfectly enabling the story to flow without the overuse of text. Then the
colour is added, and what glorious colour it is. Simon has chosen the perfect
colour palette and uses it expertly to show emotion throughout the narrative.
There is a deep sadness felt in the grey ocean and uplifting hope in the fire red
clouds, which also happens to be my favourite page. The painterly texture throughout
just adds to the appeal. In short the artwork, and it is art, is stunning. I must also give credit to the choice to print on matt
paper instead of gloss.
This may be a book written for children, but the story has such a wider reach. Even as adults we are constantly searching for our tribe. Many of us spend years being restless in jobs or moving and changing friends as we look for a place where we are appreciated just being ourselves. We are always looking for somewhere where we can relax at the end of the day and feel safe. Ultimately we are all looking for somewhere to feel like home.
Title: The House that Walked Away
Author/Illustrator: Simon Howe
Publisher: Little Hare
Publication Date: May 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761218309
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture book
