November is Native American Heritage month, and Being Home, illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Tracie Sorell, offers a heartfelt reminder of the importance to Native communities of family, tradition, and belonging. This exquisite picture book follows a young Cherokee girl and her mother on a journey — leaving behind the familiar city they’ve always known and traveling toward family and a renewed sense of home. Through Sorell’s lyrical prose and Goade’s breathtaking mixed-media illustrations, the narrative transforms the idea of moving from a loss into an act of rediscovery.

Sorell’s writing is spare yet deeply expressive, capturing the emotional flow of a child’s thoughts: the pang of goodbye, the growing anticipation of reuniting with family, and the wonder of watching the world change beyond the car window. One of the most relatable moments comes when the young girl asks the classic road trip question, “Are we there yet?” Rendered with soft pencil lines, the accompanying double-page spread conveys the child’s drawing of a winding roadmap, reflecting the restless curiosity and subtle impatience of being caught between where you’ve been and where you’re going — and the joy of finally getting there.

In an earlier scene, the young girl is seen sitting in the car, absorbed in her notebook, drawing and writing. Around her head, glowing images swirl — singing, shell-shaking, storytelling, and stickball-playing — each following its beat. These luminous elements, rendered with vibrant hues and delicate strokes, evoke the cultural rhythms she carries with her, even on the road. The scene encapsulates how imagination, tradition, and memory interweave, reminding readers that home is not just a place but something we carry with us wherever we go.

Goade’s unique artistic approach, seamlessly integrating multiple techniques such as pencil, watercolor, gouache, and digital elements, makes each spread in Being Home feel distinct yet interconnected. Her mastery of texture and color, reminiscent of her work in We Are Water Protectors (winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal) and Berry Song (a 2023 Caldecott Honor Book), reflects a deep reverence for nature, tradition, and familial bonds. Every stroke and layer of color in Being Home evokes the interplay between the natural world and personal memory, encouraging readers to slow down and savor the journey with the characters.

This book isn’t just a story — it’s a warm embrace that lingers long after the final page. Every element invites you to pause and savor, from the lyrical cadence of Sorell’s prose to the depth and richness of Goade’s breathtaking artwork and the seamless way words and images unite to ignite thought and stir feelings. Although we are familiar with Goade’s remarkable body of work, there is always something new she brings to each project — taking the storytelling to the next level with nuance, emotion, and mastery. Being Home embodies emotional depth, cultural significance, and artistic brilliance.

This is more than just another picture book; it’s a shining testament to the transformative magic that occurs when narrative and illustration harmonize perfectly. As the year draws to a close and the Committee reflects on the many exceptional books released, Being Home is one they must not forget — an unforgettable achievement that captures what makes picture books extraordinary.

[Read The Horn Book Magazine review of Being Home]