Homesick

by Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, Daniel Miyares (Illustrator)

School’s First Day of School meets The Little House in this innovative and heartfelt take on a child’s first time sleeping away from home.

Poppy can’t wait to sleep over at G-Pa and Mimi’s house for the first time ever. She’ll bake bread and gather pinecones and read all the books on their shelves.

But Home? Home feels sick with missing her! Everything is hushed and empty without Poppy. Can Home find distractions to occupy the time until she comes back? And with all the fun she’s having, will Poppy start to miss Home, too?

Seasoned children’s book creators Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, and Daniel Miyares bring threefold brilliance to Homesick, an unforgettable flip on the script of a timeless childhood milestone. Young readers with mixed feelings about being away from home with find soothing levity on each page.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Audrey Vernick is the author of books for young readers.

Forthcoming titles:

When I Redraw the World, illustrated by Heather Fox

Homesick, written with Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Daniel Miyares


www.audreyvernick.com

Reviews

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a charming and heartfelt story of a child's first time sleeping away from home. Through soothing words and vivid illustrations, it not only captures the excitement of the little girl, but the home that misses her. Definitely a keeper for my library.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

So powerful. Home is already missing Poppy as she prepares to spend time with her grandmother. Feeling homesick from the perspective of those who leave and those who stay with a positive turn, hopeful to meet again they enjoy each moment without just wasting the time waiting,this way... more memories and stories to share.
Perfect colors, the illustrator did a perfect job of conveying the emotions.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This author and illustrator trio have created a unique story and great read aloud! In this case, Poppy goes away for a trip, but it’s not she who is homesick…it’s the house. With lovely illustrations, this will provide a perfect example for elementary readers and writers about point of view and perspective.

[Pamela Rappaport morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a child’s first sleepover at grandma and grandpa’s house. Its focus on feeling homesick takes a new perspective and puts the sadness on those left behind; her family, her pets and most of all the house. It is a great story that will help children deal with these feelings of sadness and even their parents too!

[Payton Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story, and those illustrations!!!

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely way to explain being away from home the first time for the child and the home!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl experiences the excitement of her first sleepover, while her home has similar feelings. A loving and reassuring book, brilliantly illustrated to show all the feelings taking place.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the home misses Poppy when she stays over at her grandparents'!