The Very Best Home for Me!

by Jane Werner Watson, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

Special Miniature version of Golden’s best loved children’s stories. No publication date. Copyrighted 1981

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Fiction, Rabbits

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Jane Werner Watson, born Elsa Jane Werner was an American children's author. She also wrote under the names Elsa Jane Werner Watson, Elsa Jane Werner, Jane Werner, Annie North Bedford, Monica Hill, Elsa Ruth Nast, W.K. Jasner, and A.N. Bedford.

Reviews

[Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book before I could read. I had my mother read it to me every night, and I could not wait until I was able to read it myself, which I did by the time I was 4.

I have always jokingly said that Pokey Turtle and Tweeter Bird were my inspiration for joining a commune when I was in my 20s, and of course like them I eventually went away from the commune to find the "very best home for me".

I thought it was sad that the group had to go its separate ways over FOOD. They were such good friends (in fact I believe the original '50s book was called "Animal Friends"). I felt like they just weren't very creative in their approach to supper time.

I still have a copy of the reprint from the 80s. My mom gave it to me. Guess it affected her too. Must have been the food angle... or a subtle reference to how my vegetarian habits disrupted her Southern Cooking schedule.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how just seeing a cover can bring back so many fond memories :D

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps children understand the habitat and eating habits of different kinds of animals.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a kid. The illustrations are so cozy and warm that they have staid with me through the years.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tale of some little animals who find their ideal homes, but it seems to me like a pro-segregation lesson in disguise. Gotta watch out for those tricky vintage stories (published 1953).

[Bookrapt (Est. 1983) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has stayed with me since I was a young child when it was a favourite. Miss Kitty, Mr Pup, Brown Bunny, Little Chick, Fluffy Squirrel, Pokey Turtle and Tweeter Bird all get along wonderfully together in their home, with the exception of mealtimes when they all want something different. “They got along nicely when it came to sharing toys, being quiet at nap times and keeping the house neat. But they could not agree on food.” The story is about the concept of home, but also getting along with others, individuality, and figuring out what you’re good at. It’s a Little Golden Book, so of course it all turns out for the best! After a fireside meeting, each character sets out on a journey to discover what makes the best home for them. "At last I've found the best home of all, the very best home for me." It’s cosy and comforting, and we learn that what constitutes happiness and fulfilment can be different for everyone - and that’s okay.

Reviewed by Debbie McCauley (Bookrapt).

[Christy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little golden book is about finding the best home for the seven animals that share a small home in the woods. They are happy most of the time living together. However, they aren't always happy with the food that the others fix.


One day they decide to find another home that will fit each of them perfectly. Even though they loved each other so much it was the time in their lives that they had to branch out from the family and do what was best for them. It was like Squirrel was their mom of all of her little children.

Another favorite that takes me back to childhood.

[Lesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

It doesn't say anywhere that this is a retelling of a Hans Christian Anderson story. And the message seems pretty anti-diveristy if you put it into today's context. It's not a bad story, just boring and not current.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has way cute illustrations and has the different species of housemates go their own ways to find homes more appropriate and comfortable to suit their individual lifestyles amicably. Some of the wording is awkward and Conrad isn't wowed by it, but it is a solid Little Golden Book.

[Brandielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

We own this book but will not for long, it is destined for the give-away pile. The premise is that all the animals get along great except for meals and instead of working through the problem they all just move. Not sure what the point is...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a reissue. I read this as a child. I don't remember the story, but I sure remember the pictures -- and I hated the squirrel then, too. My son loved this

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book and the children love it.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Animal Friends" by Jane Werner Watson
I've never forgotten the image of the dog carrying the dishes!

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable little book, though I found it a little sad that there wasn’t more compromise. A book with more than one ‘happy ending’

[Bethany Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is SO adorable. I love it.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This GB (Golden Book) classic is about a family of animals that as far as diversity, truly represent: A puppy dog, a cat, a bunny, a turtle, and two birds, one of them named (get this) Tweeter Bird. GB must've come up with this concept before Warner's Animation created a Tweety of their own in the 60s, so who ripped from whom? They live together in harmony, and I'm sure most young readers dread THAT stuff! Their only pet peeve (bad pun, my bad) is they're soooo tired of their own food and their own living space. Can they find a more suitable home fast? Charming story some kids may like, since the charcoal painted pictures are absolutely stunning, and some kids....eh.
Three stars
What some readers call HELL, GB calls it... HOME!!! 😘

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the old, classic "Little Golden Books" that I picked up in a mixed box at an auction.
These older books seem to hold their value for sentimental collectors.
This book is wonderfully illustrated with a bunch of cute little animals.
The plot seems to be when the animals are living together, they are forced to all eat the same thing.
They fuss about this and resolve the situation by moving out on their own so that they can eat what they wish. Not a real good lesson for small children to hear!

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations, as always from Garth Williams, and a cute story.

[Sayo -bibliotequeish- · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my FAVORITE book as a child, even though it made me so sad.
SO SAD.
I just wanted them all to be one big happy family.
I still wish they could have made it work.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about animals finding their forever home.

[Ann L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are fantastic! Very cute.

Perhaps I will use this book as art project inspiration. The critters are adorable!

[Heather M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: This story is also published under the title of "The Very Best Home for Me."

Popular fiction expresses the values of the times in which they were written, and that's as true for children's books as it is for literature for us older people. In this case, the values belong to an era when the US openly practiced racial segregation. Published in 1953, Animal Friends makes a gentle, commonsensical argument that, even though different types of animals can be friends, it just doesn't make sense for them to live together, now does it? Why? Because they eat different foods, silly! It is better, according to the story, for each animal to live alone in the way that's best for their species, rather than to find a way to accommodate each other's dietary preferences. (For some of the animal friends, this means living with humans, as pets or, more alarmingly for Little Chick, as livestock.)

If you are thinking that I am expecting realism from a Little Golden Book, no, of course not. Nonetheless, the book's clear moral is that, while it's pardonable for the very young to intermingle, they must discard those childish ways as they get older. Each creature belongs in its own place, the book insists. There is not even any suggestion that these friends can or should stay in touch!

I use this book in a class on popular culture. The students read up to the part where the animals realize they have a problem. I ask the class to brainstorm solutions for resolving the plot, and they generally suggest something along the lines of buffet-style dinners. Then we finish the book. There are usually some gasps of shock when the students discover how the book will end. The message really hasn't aged well, and I think that's a good thing.

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I really enjoyed this story about a group of animals that live together in the woods and get on well except for the cooking (and eating). They decide to go their separate ways and find the very best homes for each of them.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, i loved this book. I loved the pictures and the stories. I just read it to my 6 year old nephew. He was not impressed.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this from my very early childhood. What fun to see those wonderful illustrations again!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the charming pictures by Garth Williams that really make this book.