What do you think?
Rate this book
HERD
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26“My little one,” she whispered.
“I am always here when you need to reach out.”
This is a story about a little elephant and his herd. It's a story about moving from place to place each day - and wondering what 'home' means when you move around from forest to grassland to stream.
Can this little elephant find his home in the world? Because home is not a place - it's his herd, and the ones who love him best.
Filled with beautiful, luminous artwork, this gorgeous picture book tells a universal story about love, family and belonging that will resonate for readers across the generations.
“I am always here when you need to reach out.”
This is a story about a little elephant and his herd. It's a story about moving from place to place each day - and wondering what 'home' means when you move around from forest to grassland to stream.
Can this little elephant find his home in the world? Because home is not a place - it's his herd, and the ones who love him best.
Filled with beautiful, luminous artwork, this gorgeous picture book tells a universal story about love, family and belonging that will resonate for readers across the generations.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 25, 2026
9 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 19, 2025
Stephen Hogtun is an incredible artist / illustrator and this latest book ,” Herd” continues to show his stunning and emotive work.
This is the story of a young elephant travelling with the herd but not knowing how he fits in and where his home. This is a beautiful story of love and belonging and knowing that home is where the heart and family is. Each time the elephant discovers he cannot join in or do something independently, the family show their love and support.
Ideal for children up to six - perfect as a warm hearted bedtime read or a class book exploring habitats and animals in EYS and KS1 .
The illustrations will encourage plenty of talk as will the emotions of the little elephant
This is an absolute winner .Highly recommended and do check out Stephen Hogtun’s other books Deep and Leaves
This is the story of a young elephant travelling with the herd but not knowing how he fits in and where his home. This is a beautiful story of love and belonging and knowing that home is where the heart and family is. Each time the elephant discovers he cannot join in or do something independently, the family show their love and support.
Ideal for children up to six - perfect as a warm hearted bedtime read or a class book exploring habitats and animals in EYS and KS1 .
The illustrations will encourage plenty of talk as will the emotions of the little elephant
This is an absolute winner .Highly recommended and do check out Stephen Hogtun’s other books Deep and Leaves
July 13, 2024
An absolutely gorgeous, calming, beautiful story of family and belonging.
Beautifully illustrated and really lovely to read this book will be a great bedtime story. I felt as peaceful as I do when I read "Guess how much I love you" to my little one and I can see this one becoming a firm favourite too!
Beautifully illustrated and really lovely to read this book will be a great bedtime story. I felt as peaceful as I do when I read "Guess how much I love you" to my little one and I can see this one becoming a firm favourite too!
December 11, 2024
Great story. Great meaning. Hard to read the words
October 23, 2025
Karena gajah adalah salah satu binatang favoritku, maka aku langsung mengantri berminggu-minggu di perpus. Padahal jumlah halamannya sedikit dan bisa dibaca kelar dalam 5 menit.
Bercerita tentang seekor bayi gajah liar yang memulai langkah kecilnya dalam hidup. Dia mengikuti ibu dan kawanan mereka mencari makanan di hutan, mandi di sungai dan tidur beratapkan bintang. Gajah kecil merasa tidak nyaman dengan hal asing ini dan mendambakan rumah yang nyaman. Melalui kalimat-kalimat sederhana dan puitis serta ilustrasi indah penuh warna khas alam liar, anak-anak akan dibawa ke pemahaman indah tentang arti rumah, cinta dan keluarga di dalamnya. Sangat kurekomendasikan untuk bacaan bersama orang tua dan si bocah.
BCLC
Bercerita tentang seekor bayi gajah liar yang memulai langkah kecilnya dalam hidup. Dia mengikuti ibu dan kawanan mereka mencari makanan di hutan, mandi di sungai dan tidur beratapkan bintang. Gajah kecil merasa tidak nyaman dengan hal asing ini dan mendambakan rumah yang nyaman. Melalui kalimat-kalimat sederhana dan puitis serta ilustrasi indah penuh warna khas alam liar, anak-anak akan dibawa ke pemahaman indah tentang arti rumah, cinta dan keluarga di dalamnya. Sangat kurekomendasikan untuk bacaan bersama orang tua dan si bocah.
BCLC
May 7, 2024
📚 Herd 📚
Written by @stephenhogtun and published by @bloomsburychildrens
What a delightful book! The story follows a little elephant as he travels with his family. The family go from place to place and the little elephant questions where his home is.
One night he decides to leave the herd and travel in search of a place that feels like home. He ends up lost and alone but his family come to the rescue and he soon realises that his family are home, not one place.
A heartwarming story about family and relationships. I absolutely adored it.
The illustrations are incredible. I'd have these on my wall! ❤️
I received this book as a review copy from @netgalley, all views my own.
Written by @stephenhogtun and published by @bloomsburychildrens
What a delightful book! The story follows a little elephant as he travels with his family. The family go from place to place and the little elephant questions where his home is.
One night he decides to leave the herd and travel in search of a place that feels like home. He ends up lost and alone but his family come to the rescue and he soon realises that his family are home, not one place.
A heartwarming story about family and relationships. I absolutely adored it.
The illustrations are incredible. I'd have these on my wall! ❤️
I received this book as a review copy from @netgalley, all views my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
What a gorgeous children's book this is (and as an adult whose favourite animal is an elephant I enjoyed it as much as my various 6 grandchildren did).
The story is full of finding somewhere that feels like home and the little elephant goes through various stages of realising that home and love and safety is where your family are.
Beautiful illustrations too, and a book that will definitely be read and enjoyed again and again.
The story is full of finding somewhere that feels like home and the little elephant goes through various stages of realising that home and love and safety is where your family are.
Beautiful illustrations too, and a book that will definitely be read and enjoyed again and again.
July 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for this eCopy to review
HERD is a delightful picture book about how 1 little elephant finds that their home is not a place, but wherever they are with their family and their love. Full of gorgeous illustrations and beautiful text this is a picture book to treasure
HERD is a delightful picture book about how 1 little elephant finds that their home is not a place, but wherever they are with their family and their love. Full of gorgeous illustrations and beautiful text this is a picture book to treasure
September 15, 2024
I thought that this book was beautiful - it was a pleasure to read it.
The book has some lovely messaging that the author gets over very nicely.
I loved the illustrations, they are some of the loveliest ones I have seen in a children's book.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - a lovely book - very highly recommended!
The book has some lovely messaging that the author gets over very nicely.
I loved the illustrations, they are some of the loveliest ones I have seen in a children's book.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - a lovely book - very highly recommended!
September 1, 2024
A beautifully illustrated book for young and not so young children. I loved it and am over 70.
A book to read to children over and over with a wonderful message that encapsulates "home is where the family is". The little elephant goes searching and searching and finally understands.
A book to read to children over and over with a wonderful message that encapsulates "home is where the family is". The little elephant goes searching and searching and finally understands.
November 20, 2024
The illustrations in this book are just beautiful. The use of light a dark colour is amazing. And the story is lovely as well. Definitely looking for more of Stephen's books.
November 23, 2024
The illustrations are super sweet 🐘
September 23, 2025
heart-warming - 4.5 ★'s
March 4, 2026
I was drawn to this picture book by the gorgeous front cover! It was such a beautiful and touching story to read with my class and the illustrations were phenomenal !
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews