A Home Like This

Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Miriam Nerlove
Publisher: Creative Editions, 2025
ISBN: 978-1568463995 22 pages

Description

Homes throughout the natural world may be found in any manner of place, be made of any number of materials, and be permanent or temporary. As this poetic, illustrated board book makes the circuit from "big or little, below or above," the feature that seems to link all kinds of homes--including those of humans--is that they are places "where we love." Young readers and observers will enjoy naming the various animals and making comparisons among the types of dwellings as a positive sense of belonging is reinforced.

A home can be open
to cloud and sky…
or be sheltered,
snug, and
dry.

Journal Reviews

STARRED REVIEW * A stunning exploration of animal habitats...an irresistible choice for young readers. VERDICT A first purchase for libraries and schools alike.

—School Library Journal

[F]rom "big or little, below or above," the feature that seems to link all kinds of homes (including those of humans) is that they are places "where we love." Young readers and observers will enjoy naming the various animals and making comparisons among the types of dwellings as a positive sense of belonging is reinforced....an ideal and highly recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library board book collections for children ages 5-7.

—Midwest Book Review

"The simple, heartfelt text . . . a calming tone and sense of comfort . . . reflects the loving warmth of shelter for each creature . . ."

—Children's Literature

Reader Reactions

[P]erfect for spring! A Home Like This by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Miriam Nerlove explores the many types of homes found in nature. "A home can be open to cloud and sky...or be sheltered, snug, and dry."

—Where the Board Books Are

I’m obsessed with this book...Simple and so meaningful. The illustrations are gorgeous. Warm and provide a feel [of] reality, with extreme beauty.

One of my current favourites to share and to gift.

—Bookbugca - Luiza Ramalho Junqueira

Have a wee one in your life? This pair of books [A Home Like This and When a Butterfly Goes to School] would be a lovely addition to your own snuggle time.

—Jilanne Hoffmann (for Perfect Picture Book Friday)

What I like about this book: read altogether, the pages are a poem. For each spread, illustrations show the animal and its home. The last spread includes some human dwellings amongst the wild, and emphasizes that home is where the heart is.

—Sue Heavenrich, Archimedes Notebook

Videos

Playlist

1 Videos

A Home Like This book trailer

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Downloadable Activities

Who Lives Where A Home Like This activity sheet_thumbnail

Match these creatures to their homes

Download

Photo Gallery

20250304_Celebration Churros for Home and Butterfly

Publication day celebration--with churros!

More for Educators or Writers

Great suggestion from author Jilanne Hoffmann: Draw a picture of your home and your family. What are the things about your home that make you feel loved?
From author Sue Heavenrich: Animals use what’s in their habitat to build their homes. Check out this video to see some of the shelters they construct.
My home is your home? See how animals recycle homes in this National Geographic article.
Animal Homes from Time for Kids.
Learn About Animal Homes from HomeScienceTools.com.
Watch episodes of Nature from PBS about Animal Homes.
Build a beaver lodge model from Natural Beach Living.
Fun sensory activities around animal habitats!

How this Book Got Started

An editor at Creative Editions approached me to see if I might want to write board books about 1) animal homes and 2) school. Yes, please! For the home book, they were looking for a lyrical approach, and I love survey-style nonfiction, where you look at a broad range of examples of one thing: in this case, home. I tried three different versions. One focused on materials homes are made of: twigs, a shell, a log, etc. Another focused on home activities, like eating, playing, and learning. And the third one, the one I eventually went with, focused on the overall kinds of homes, emphasizing opposites: open or closed, busy or quiet, etc. It was such a joy to play with these concepts!