Mabel and Sam at Home by Linda Urban is a slightly different take on the moving to a new home story. Mabel and her brother Sam approach their new home by making each step and adventure. They imagine they are sailors finding a new, Mable is a tour guide in the New Home Museum and finally astronauts in space when it is time to go to bed.
Hadley Hooper has created interesting illustrations and therefore, a voice for the characters that compliments the text. Reminiscent of Chris Raschka’s illustrations they have a bit more realism to them. They help show you what the kids are thinking as they try to overcome fears and issues dealing with their new house move. The fact the family is of color is done in a nature, flowing manner. It is not a big deal, which is a refreshing take.
The book is broken up into three chapters tht Urban has given a modern spin to the age-old story of moving. Over all the entire feeling of the book is modern in the way the kids talk, act and react. The ending, while believable, might have been better for me if it had continued with the theme of being “space brave” (since space is big, “space brave” is a very BIG brave). However, the ending works with these characters.
And while this book is about moving, I could see where you could adapt this story for any new “adventure” a child is embarking on: new school, new house, possibly even a new sibling.