Home at Last

Lester loves living in his new home with Daddy Rich, Daddy Albert, and their funny old dog, Wincka. Keeping his suitcase packed with his "best action toys" makes Lester feel safe, but every night, he appears by Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert's bedside. It takes Lester weeks to voice his fears: "What if somebody comes and takes me away right in the middle of the night?" It's Wincka who finally solves the problem, and she does it so well that Daddy Albert says, "Maybe Wincka should have adopted Lester instead of us." Full of tender everyday moments, Raschka's sunny, loosely stroked paintings lull readers into Lester's new life. The family lives simply in a peaceful neighborhood, they share pancakes in bed on Sundays, and Williams and Raschka embrace the challenges of building a new family (Daddy Albert blows his stack in frustration, and Daddy Rich cries at the sight of one of Lester's tears), as well as the joys. Williams's gift was capturing candid moments of pure love, and this, her final story before her death in 2015, offers a string of them. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Sept.)

Gr 1-3--Sitting on the steps of the children's center, Lester anxiously waits for his new parents and their dog, Wincka, to take him home. They've waited a year for this moment, as "it always takes a long time to adopt someone." Even though Lester loves his new home and Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, everyone has a lot to learn about one another and their new roles. Lester still fears someone might come to hurt him and so cannot unpack his action figures, which he keeps ever ready in a little blue suitcase. Hurt also comes in angry words as the new Daddy Albert realizes. After enduring many nights of interrupted sleep, tripping over action figures, and bumping into the blue suitcase, Daddy Albert explodes at Lester. His anger recedes quickly, and he is as upset as Lester, who shares his fear and loneliness. Wincka, a wise dog (who resembles another Raschka canine), quietly comes up with the solution; she simply moves into Lester's bed, which she will continue to share with the boy and his action figures. The evocative story is quietly told in accessible, sensitive language. Equally moving watercolors use fluid line and gentle colors to amplify the poignant family story and portray each distinctive character. The text, written by Williams, is a deeply personal one and the last book she would write before her death. VERDICT This tender and uplifting tale, probably best shared one-on-one, should find a home in every children's collection.--Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library

"A real portrait of the family emerges and doesn't shy away from difficult aspects. ...In their watercolor pictures, Williams and Raschka engage this specificity and intimacy further, with cozy, limber shaping that recalls Margot Zemach and big, beautiful hands for the dads, ready to protect and comfort their son."—The Horn Book

"Vera B. Williams died on October 16, 2015, while still working on this book with her dear friend and fellow artist Chris Raschka. Chris Raschka's astonishing and glorious full-color paintings are based on sketches by Vera B. Williams and honor both her spirit and her intent. Home at Last is a universal, timely, and timeless book about the right of all children to belong someplace safe." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books