Home

Is it possible for a reindeer, bear, bunny, and badger to dismantle the house they've been sharing, go their separate ways, and find fulfillment? One (conveniently, the animals are named after numbers) wants to be a pirate, Two wants to yodel in the Alps, Three wants to collect insects underground, and Four wants to party. “If I'm going,” they all shout, “I'm taking the house with me!” Supplied with pieces of the house, each sets off, but trouble soon surfaces: One becomes a pirate, but ends up sailing alone on his old front door surrounded by sharks. “Worst of all, his house simply wasn't a home when it was just a door.” When inevitably the four give up and reunite, adding wheels to their house allows them to stay together while satisfying their wanderlust. Smith (Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero ) keeps the story zipping along, effectively using repeating phrases, story elements, and scenarios. The pages teem with digitized colors, textures, and photos, but the overall atmosphere is quiltlike and cozy. It's a persuasive argument for finding creative solutions to problems instead of walking away. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)