Jessica Meserve Books

The Home that Love Built is a beautifully illustrated story about kindness, perseverance and hope, and it could be used across a range of subjects, as well as making a wonderful story book in any classroom or library. The repetition and rhythm of the wording used throughout the book make it memorable and accessible for readers to join in. The repetition also helps to tell and build the story as it progresses, demonstrating how each effort made to rebuild after the storm by the animals makes a difference, regardless of how big or small the action taken is. There are other literary features used, including the use of alliteration, which children would have much fun performing aloud as part of an oracy or drama lesson. The wonderful illustrations help to tell the story too, not only in terms of the colours used linking carefully to the words on each page, but also the characterisation on the animals’ faces and through their actions taken to rebuild. In particular, the front and back endpapers, one showing the storm incoming and the other after it has passed, could make for an interesting discussion or writing point. Overall, this is an enjoyable story with a powerful underlying message about what can be achieved when we work together.