Beth Ferry (Prunella) crafts a quirky modern fantasy chapter book ideal for younger readers in Growing Home, with whimsical illustrations by brothers Eric and Terry Fan (Lizzy and the Cloud).
Aspiring botanist Jillian Tupper and her antiquarian parents live at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive. The humans, though, are not the most interesting residents of the "modest, respectable-looking" home: perpetually hungry goldfish Toasty overlooks the entire first floor from his "eight-sided antique fish tank." From his tank, he grumbles at and splashes Ivy, a potted plant that lives on the kitchen table. Toasty, because of his elaborate tank, feels "a certain superiority, a certain idea that he, of course, should be the favorite of the family, and more specifically of young Jillian. But he was not. No. Somehow Jillian chose Ivy."
When more creatures arrive at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive--first Arthur, a broken-legged spider who used to live in a bookstore, and then Ollie, an anxious and sad violet--they realize that Toasty's tank is more than a home for fish. It's magical. At the same time, the Tuppers, unaware of the conversations and budding relationships taking place in their home, are struggling with a mountain of "never-ending bills." When somebody tries to buy the tank and the Tuppers refuse on principle, the creatures realize it's up to them to stop a potential theft and keep their humans safe.
Growing Home's core cast of magical creatures can be grating as they shed some of their selfish habits while building kinder relationships with each other. But children will likely be drawn to the details of each creature--Toasty's love of soccer and cheese puffs; Ollie's fondness for singing--as reflections of themselves and kids they know. The black-and-white spot art from the Fan Brothers heightens the endearing whimsical elements--a darling illustration of a spider-knight is a particular stand-out--and helps make the text more accessible to younger readers.
Ferry interjects herself into the narrative as both author and narrator, explaining words that children might not understand and reflecting on the story as she tells it. For adults who want to read the story aloud to their little ones, this allows for some delightful asides as if the adult is the story's creator, though they should be prepared for Ferry's "halftime break" where she insists the reader pause to get a snack. Ferry's attempt at a modern-day children's fable lacks enchantment, but the endearing characters make it an ideal cozy family read. --Nicole Brinkley, bookseller and writer
Shelf Talker: A grumpy goldfish, a self-confident ivy, a curious spider, and an anxious violet come together to love and protect their human family in this whimsical modern fantasy ideal for family readalouds.