What do you think?
Rate this book
From There to Here
A little girl and her family have just moved across the country by train. Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about “there” seems better than “here.”
The little girl’s dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn’t come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends.
Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light.
Laurel Croza and Matt James have beautifully captured the voice and intense feelings of a young child who, in the midst of upheaval, finds hope in her new surroundings.
The little girl’s dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn’t come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends.
Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light.
Laurel Croza and Matt James have beautifully captured the voice and intense feelings of a young child who, in the midst of upheaval, finds hope in her new surroundings.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 14, 2019
Now from a general thematics and presented information point of departure, Laurel Croza's From There to Here is indeed a lovely and evocative companion piece and sequel to her I know Here, with the main difference of course being that while I know Here presents the young narrator's, features Laurel Croza's childhood self's sadness and her fears with regard to having to move from rural Saskatchewan to urban Toronto, Ontario, due to her father's work, From There to Here depicts her experiences and feelings AFTER the family has finally arrived in Ontario, travelling from west to east by train (and that in Toronto, almost everything is very much different from Saskatchewan, even the fact that her father now works the entire day and only comes home for supper, whereas before, in Saskatchewan, he would usually come home for lunch and then head back to work).
But while I do very much enjoy Laurel Croza's narrative in From There to Here and also from my own personal experience of having immigrated from Germany to Canada as a child appreciate how she has rather brilliantly juxtaposed her former life in Saskatchewan with what her new existence in Toronto is like now (as well as just how difficult she obviously finds adjusting to this and that yes, even her relationship with her older brother Douglas has changed for the negative, for in Saskatchewan all of the children, both young and old, used to play and travel together as a pack, but in Toronto, Doug has already made his own friends and obviously does not want his little sister hanging around as she is suddenly too young, seemingly not old enough play with anymore), I actually and a bit frustratingly tend to find the ending of From There to Here just a wee a bit too abrupt. As while Laurel meeting Anne and them almost immediately becoming friends is definitely a positive and sweetly wonderful, uplifting conclusion for From There to Here (and I also much appreciate that although Anne is clearly African American, this fact is ONLY ever shown by the illustrations and not with and by Laurel Croza's text), personally, I would want a bit more information and details about Laurel and Anne's friendship and find it rather annoying and even disconcerting that as soon as Laurel meets Anne and goes on that bike ride with her, From There to Here is finished.
Three Stars for From There to Here and even with my minor issues and criticisms, still highly recommended (although I do admit that unlike many readers, who seem to absolutely enjoy if not love Matt James' accompanying artwork, I am and just like with his illustrations for the first book, for I Know Here, not all that aesthetically pleased with in particular his renderings of human figures in From There to Here, finding Matt James' pictures while indeed bright and descriptive also much too in one's face, cartoon like and therefore also considerably too garish for my visual tastes).
But while I do very much enjoy Laurel Croza's narrative in From There to Here and also from my own personal experience of having immigrated from Germany to Canada as a child appreciate how she has rather brilliantly juxtaposed her former life in Saskatchewan with what her new existence in Toronto is like now (as well as just how difficult she obviously finds adjusting to this and that yes, even her relationship with her older brother Douglas has changed for the negative, for in Saskatchewan all of the children, both young and old, used to play and travel together as a pack, but in Toronto, Doug has already made his own friends and obviously does not want his little sister hanging around as she is suddenly too young, seemingly not old enough play with anymore), I actually and a bit frustratingly tend to find the ending of From There to Here just a wee a bit too abrupt. As while Laurel meeting Anne and them almost immediately becoming friends is definitely a positive and sweetly wonderful, uplifting conclusion for From There to Here (and I also much appreciate that although Anne is clearly African American, this fact is ONLY ever shown by the illustrations and not with and by Laurel Croza's text), personally, I would want a bit more information and details about Laurel and Anne's friendship and find it rather annoying and even disconcerting that as soon as Laurel meets Anne and goes on that bike ride with her, From There to Here is finished.
Three Stars for From There to Here and even with my minor issues and criticisms, still highly recommended (although I do admit that unlike many readers, who seem to absolutely enjoy if not love Matt James' accompanying artwork, I am and just like with his illustrations for the first book, for I Know Here, not all that aesthetically pleased with in particular his renderings of human figures in From There to Here, finding Matt James' pictures while indeed bright and descriptive also much too in one's face, cartoon like and therefore also considerably too garish for my visual tastes).
July 12, 2015
I was not as impressed by the paintings as the professional book reviewers were. The story is good, but similar stories about moving house have been done many times before.
August 25, 2020
This book followed a girl whose family had to move because of a new job opportunity. She looks at the differences from when she lived there and when she lives here and they are drastically different. She starting to lose all hope until she meets a girl who lives down the road and they decide to hang out, and feels everything is going to be okay. This book was a fun read. I recommend this book to families that are going through a big change in their lives and that once its all said and done things start to work out.
January 3, 2019
The girl and her family have just moved, and everything is different. The kind of place where they live, the kind of house they live in, the other people around/the culture of the neighborhood, the smells. But the girl still finds friends and starts to get to know "here."
This is very situated in Canada; "there" is in Saskatchewan, and "here" is Toronto. I liked the specificity of that and of some of the places named.
This is very situated in Canada; "there" is in Saskatchewan, and "here" is Toronto. I liked the specificity of that and of some of the places named.
January 3, 2019
About a little girl who has just moved from the country to the city for her dad's job.
She spends a lot of time comparing where she used to live (there) with where she lives now (here).
Then, an invitation from someone her age makes all the difference.
Love the Canada-ness of this. They moved to Toronto from Saskatchewan.
She spends a lot of time comparing where she used to live (there) with where she lives now (here).
Then, an invitation from someone her age makes all the difference.
Love the Canada-ness of this. They moved to Toronto from Saskatchewan.
July 24, 2014
Review originally posted here at Children's Atheneum.
A little girl and her family have just moved across the country by train. Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about “there” seems better than “here.” The little girl’s dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn’t come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends. Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light. Because children are unwittingly forced to move, sometimes numerous times throughout their life, I find it incredibly important that there be issue books like these for kids. As a kid who went through a pretty traumatic move (at least in my mind), I think that any story that can help a child understand and accept a new situation is good. This story is very place specific, but the feelings conveyed are universal. I wasn't particularly fond of the illustrations, however kids have very little art bias so I doubt that this would be a concern of a child.
A little girl and her family have just moved across the country by train. Their new neighborhood in the city of Toronto is very different from their home in the Saskatchewan bush, and at first everything about “there” seems better than “here.” The little girl’s dad has just finished building a dam across the Saskatchewan River, and his new project is to build a highway through Toronto. In Saskatchewan, he would come home for lunch every day, but now he doesn’t come until supper. The family used to love to look at the stars, and the northern lights dancing in the night sky. But in the city, all they can see is the glare from the streetlights. All the kids used to run and play together, but now older brother Doug has his own friends. Then one day there is a knock on the door. It is Anne, who lives kitty-corner and is also eight, going on nine, and suddenly living in Toronto takes on a whole new light. Because children are unwittingly forced to move, sometimes numerous times throughout their life, I find it incredibly important that there be issue books like these for kids. As a kid who went through a pretty traumatic move (at least in my mind), I think that any story that can help a child understand and accept a new situation is good. This story is very place specific, but the feelings conveyed are universal. I wasn't particularly fond of the illustrations, however kids have very little art bias so I doubt that this would be a concern of a child.
June 18, 2014
This sequel to the award-winning I Know Here continues the story of a little girl who has moved from Saskatchewan to Toronto. She now contrasts their life in the rural woods with that in a new city. So much of her days are different now. Her father no longer comes home for lunch. They live on a city street instead of a quiet gravel road. Here they lock their doors, there everyone kept their homes open. There you could see the stars in the sky at night, here there are only the lamps shining. There the children played all together and there wasn’t anyone her age. Here there is!
Croza deftly shows the differences between two places, drawing them each with an eye to the positive. Even as the little girl misses and even yearns for her nature-filled home, she starts to see what is good about the new place she lives. Any child who has undergone a move will see themselves in this book, yet Croza has also written a very personal story of one little girl.
James’ art is rich and layered. He uses sweeps of colors on the page to convey motion and change. At the same time, he also uses parallel images that show the similarities of the places at the same time examining the differences.
Another triumph of a picture book, children will enjoy this as a sequel but it also stands nicely on its own. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Croza deftly shows the differences between two places, drawing them each with an eye to the positive. Even as the little girl misses and even yearns for her nature-filled home, she starts to see what is good about the new place she lives. Any child who has undergone a move will see themselves in this book, yet Croza has also written a very personal story of one little girl.
James’ art is rich and layered. He uses sweeps of colors on the page to convey motion and change. At the same time, he also uses parallel images that show the similarities of the places at the same time examining the differences.
Another triumph of a picture book, children will enjoy this as a sequel but it also stands nicely on its own. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
February 3, 2014
Many youngsters can relate to the experience depicted here. After a girl and her family move from Saskatchewan to Toronto, she can't help comparing the two places. Nothing seems quite right until she makes a new friend who helps her start to see the merits of her new home. The sparing text and illustrations, created with India ink on panel, will enable many young readers to realize that a new place can start to feel more like home with the passing of time and the addition of a friendly face.
June 4, 2014
A girl who has just moved from Saskatchewan to Toronto contrasts her lifestyles between the two locations. She is clearly homesick at first, but is slowly adjusting...and finds a potential new friend in the big city.
The illustrations by Matt James are very colorful and kid-friendly.
A nice choice to share with children who are moving or who are about to move.
The illustrations by Matt James are very colorful and kid-friendly.
A nice choice to share with children who are moving or who are about to move.
September 15, 2014
This is an interesting story about a little girl who lives in Canada and has moved around often in her life. It is unclear as to what the family situation might be and also the why of the move, but perhaps that is done purposefully. Ultimately, the main character makes a friend and finds her place in this new home.
December 30, 2014
"It's different here, not the same as there."
A little girl details the differences between her prior home and where she lives now. As she goes through it all, she subtlety begins to accept the change in her life. "It was different there. Not the same as here."
Themes: accepting change, what makes a home
A little girl details the differences between her prior home and where she lives now. As she goes through it all, she subtlety begins to accept the change in her life. "It was different there. Not the same as here."
Themes: accepting change, what makes a home
March 5, 2017
Cute. Books told through the voice of children really touch my heart. There is where they used to live. Here is where they live now. And as the little girl (name was never given) told us about 'there' and 'here' we came to know how and where they used to live as it compares to where they live now. Excellent writing!!!
December 3, 2014
An exquisite sequel to I Know Here - what's the difference between there, where I used to live, and here, where I live know? The landscape, the animals, the friends, family and a sense of place? A beautiful and poetic text is matched by Matt James' delightful and luminous images! Wow!
January 3, 2017
This is the sequel to Croza and James' award-winngin I Know Here. The family has moved from their prairie home to a big city and the protagonist is not exactly thrilled about it. The comparisons and text are perfect reading for Grade 2/3 students.
January 30, 2014
Nice sequel to I Know Here.
June 3, 2014
I did not care for the illustrations.
June 4, 2014
A delightful companion to I Know Here.
July 15, 2014
A young girl moves from the more rural Saskatchewan to Toronto which if course means a world of change, some good and some not so good. I really liked the unusual illustrations.
August 5, 2014
Good for any kid who is going to have to move. It talks about all the good things and bad things about both places the family has lived.
September 8, 2014
Illustrations different but I thought the story of transition was very well done from a child's point of view.
October 31, 2014
I really liked this first story, "I Know Here". Both are just very evocative of the feelings of home and displacement and moving forward with change. The illustrations lend to this as well.
November 30, 2014
Prompted incredible writing with my class
December 29, 2014
Would be a great book to start a discussion about same and different after a move or a big change.
January 26, 2015
Great for primary social studies.
September 14, 2018
Lively and emotionally nuanced.
April 28, 2024
From There to Here is a cute story about a girl moving from her house in a rural quiet area to a more urban neighborhood. The story is about how sometimes change can be difficult and that you may always view what you had before to be better than now, but that even change can be for the best. The text and font are bold and seem to stand out from the page making it easier to read for young readers. The text is among the illustrations so that young readers can read while enjoying the beautiful images.
April 29, 2024
"From There to Here" is beautifully illustrated picture book about the journey of a young girl and her family as they immigrate to a new country in search of a better life. This story is heartfelt and authentic, capturing Emma's emotions with sensitivity and empathy. Through Emma's journey, readers are reminded of the resilience and strength of immigrant families as they face adversity and embrace new opportunities.
December 9, 2024
From There to Here by Laurel Croza is a very different and unique story. The illustrations for this book are incredible and very detailed. The main character is a young child who is referring to their life changing in the terms of “there to here”. The story has a good meaning and is child friendly. I would recommend this book!
Read
November 20, 2019I enjoyed reading this book. Easy book for some students to relate to, moving to another place because of parents work. Adapting to a new life style
February 28, 2021
Moving is hard, but looking at the good things in both places helps
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews