HOMEGROWN

A Black child ponders the meaning of home through the lens of family and culture.

Our unnamed protagonist tells us that Mama often says the child is “homegrown.” As Mama twists the child’s hair, she begins to explain what “home” means—it means family traditions (such as game nights and dance parties) and sleepovers with cousins piled in the living room with snacks. Granny says that home is taking care of what you love—whether it’s cleaning on Saturday mornings or tending to the garden where you grow the veggies for the family dinners that Granny, Mama, and the child make together. More examples of home include caring for your hair and preparing for the future. Ultimately, home is the memories you create and pass along; it’s the place where you feel cared for, protected, and uplifted. The warm, collagelike, digitally rendered illustrations spotlight the memories of a loving extended Black family. The beautifully textured spreads and simple, fluid prose complement one another, setting an easy pace. The text, narrated in first person by the protagonist, is general enough that many readers will effortlessly see themselves in this fictional family, leading them to contemplate the meaning of home. This one will make a wonderful intergenerational read-aloud.

A joyous celebration of family.