Domy

by Carson Ellis

Domem może być chatka na wsi lub mieszkanie w mieście. Mieszkać można nawet w bucie. Jest tyle możliwości… Dom - może być wszędzie.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Art, Fantasy, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

Carson Ellis is the author and illustrator of the bestselling picture books Home and Du Iz Tak? (a Caldecott Honor book and the recipient of an E.B. White Read Aloud Award). She has illustrated a number of books for kids including The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket, and The Wildwood Chronicles by her husband, Colin Meloy. Carson has been awarded silver medals by the Society of Illustrators for her work on Wildwood Imperium and on Dillweed's Revenge by Florence Parry Heide. She's the illustrator-in-residence for Colin's band, The Decemberists, and received Grammy nominations in 2016 and 2018 for album art design. She works sporadically as an editorial illustrator for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and others publications and exhibits art on occasion. She’s represented by Nationale in Portland.

Carson lives on a farm in Oregon with Colin, their two sons, two cats, one llama, three goats, many chickens, and an unfathomable multitude of tree frogs.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings on this book, while the illustrations were beautifully done and are quite whimsical, I felt that the actual story did not have a good flow. I also did not care for the way some individuals / homes were depicted, and to me seemed to stereotype. For instance, there is a young dark skinned girl sitting in an apartment building that is covered in graffiti, the illustration for "Some homes are wigwams" have Indigenous people with bows and arrows, followed by a palace and an underground lair in which Arab, possible Muslim, characters are smoking as they stack gold coins and there is a woman reclining on a pile of gold --as if she is a possession. At some point, Ellis does switch to fanciful imagery and homes that are under the sea, in tree hollows...only wish that she would have done this throughout the story. IMO, not something I would want to add to my collection.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is a beautiful book full of different types of homes. We loved the cover which shows homes such as a yurt, a barn, a caravan, a geodesic dome, a shoe with a roof, a snail shell....if my children were younger we would have loved to sit and look at this and decide which one we liked best and who we thought would live in each one.

The text is sparse and perhaps this would have been better if it rhymed or was more creative, but the book has so much to look at it didn't seem to matter. We liked the way some homes were real and some like the Moonian's house and the home of the Norse god were fantasy. We particularly liked the page that showed a Babouska's house as this was the name of our much loved guinea pig that I use as my goodreads picture.
This is a book I would really enjoy reading with a small child.

Taken out of the library again today 17/02/20. Really enjoyable, I love this artists style, if I had younger children I would definitely buy a copy. The illustrations remind me of Felicita Sala's or Isabelle Arsenault's work which is huge praise indeed!

[Carolyn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful explanation of homes and how charmingly different they can be!

Carson Ellis’ artwork is a feast for the eyes as well as the imagination!

[Tina Haigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the whimsical story about the many different homes that exist--both real and fantastical--but it was the art that took my breath away. I don't know what it was about it (something about the shape of the lines maybe) but I could honestly look at it all day; I want to frame it and put it on my wall. Done in gouache and ink, the color is exceptionally rich in some places while soft in others. I especially enjoyed the blues and greens; they made my eyes (and heart) happy. It's also worth mentioning that this book is hand-lettered by Ellis. What can't this woman do?! Overall, what a lovely book! I highly recommend it to children of all ages.

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Using ink and gouache paintings with a colour palette of bluish grey, sepia and bright red (aesthetically expressive but also for my eyes and my artistic tastes somewhat flat and therefore also rather lacking dimensionality, deepness, which also gives a strange and sometimes even vaguely uncomfortable feeling of visual distance), in and with her 2015 (and debut) picture book Home author and illustrator Carson Ellis moves with extensive illustrative detail but with very sparse texts through a plethora of homes both mundane and fantastical (with the fantastical often based on mythology and folklore, and that there are two science fiction themed images as well), both contemporary and not, and with Ellis beginning and concluding Home with pictures of her own house and a peek into her art studio. Thus Carson Ellis aesthetically highlights standard homes as well as palaces and mansions, but she in Home also takes readers (or rather viewers) into animal domiciles, into the nursery rhyme house of the old lady who lives in a shoe, into the imagined mythological residences of Norse gods, underwater Atlantaens and so on and so on (all nicely colourful, all quite diverse, and that yes, when I very quickly browsed through Home at my local independent bookstore a few months ago, both my inner child and adult I were initially sufficiently visually enchanted that I decided to purchase Home for my overflowing personal bookshelves).

However and at home (ha, ha, ha, but in fact, no pun is actually being intended here), when I decided to read and to look at Home a trifle more in-depth, sorry, but my initial visual enchantment and appreciation has rather majorly if not even almost totally dwindled (and in particular for adult me). For indeed, far too many of Ellis’ pictures in Home are oddly juxtaposed and stripped of any historical or cultural context due to their stylised designs and the totally spare (in other words massively lacking) texts (since there is hardly any narrative), so that many of the illustrations encountered in Home thus become problematically culturally and ethnically stereotypical. And well, even if this could I guess be used for discussion purposes, that Carson Ellis most definitely (at least in my not so humble opinion) has some majorly stereotypical depictions appearing, showing up in Home and that this is not AT ALL being textually mentioned (or explained) by her remains at best something challenging and at worst something that is making me internally cringe more than a trifle (and especially so with regard to those illustrations for Home, with those pictures clearly containing and depicting potentially exoticising and more than possibly stereotypical elements and considerations, as for me this kind of signals a lack of personal accountability by Ellis regarding the visual messages being shown and being possibly and even probably sent and broadcast in and also throughout Home).

For example, Carson Ellis’ illustration in Home of a large galleon type ship coming ashore and being watched by a group of Native Americans or Native Canadians and this accompanied by the totally mundane words that some homes are boats and some homes are wigwams, this hugely and for me absolutely evokes a harmful as well as an unaddressed narrative of colonial invasion and how this is being presented by Ellis as just another whimsical spread of two different types of home, well, personally speaking, this makes me almost want to scream, but which is likely even more traumatising for Native American and Native Canadian children encountering and being confronted by Home. And not to mention that today, Native Americans and Native Canadians do not generally live in wigwams, tipis and the like anymore, but in typical houses, that at the very least, Carson Ellis in Home should also be depicting the latter, and since this does not happen, major bah humbug (and that for the majority of the cultural and the ethnic houses and residences Ellis illustrates in Home their one-sided stereotyping is painfully and overtly making diversity overly and weirdly exotic, and that as a person of German background, especially how in Home Carson Ellis has depicted the wigwam and the house of a Kenyan blacksmith, this horridly and painfully reminds me of picture book depictions of ALL Germans wearing Lederhosen, living in castles, quaffing beer, eating sausages to list just a few frustrating examples).

So yes, unfortunately but definitely, aside from (as already mentioned above) Carson Ellis’ artwork being a bit too visually flat for me (but which is not really something all that major), for especially adult me, Home is not at all true diversity, but is far too much of exotic and stereotypical depictions of the “other” (and that while there certainly are some whimsy and visual lightheartedness to be encountered in Home and in particular regarding folklore, I unfortunately simply cannot and also will not be rating Home with more than two stars).

[Benji Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this whole Carson Ellis, writing and illustrating picture books thing keeps on happening.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love the look and color palette of the gouache and ink artwork, the story just didn't satisfy me.

This book looks at different types of homes and while I did appreciate that the reader is invited to guess/wonder at who might reside in a few of the homes, I felt limited by some of the other homes. It was disappointing to see an apartment being depicted as in the city amongst pollution and graffiti, which read (to me) as less desirable than many of the other homes.

I was hoping for an author's note that explained some of the research that went into creating this book, but it wasn't included.

Long story short, this book troubles me.

The artwork is completely up my alley, but I just didn't like the execution. PreK-2.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was little, I was fascinated with the different types of houses people had all around the world. I would have treasured this beautiful book with its imaginative survey of houses around the planet and even beyond it! And it doesn’t just cover the habitats of people: for example, one page shows the home of a raccoon, and one shows the home of a Norse god.

Author/illustrator Carson Ellis adds many little informative features to let you know about life in each type of home. The picture of a Russian home, for instance, includes a samovar on the table and an onion-domed church out the kitchen window. She also cleverly shows you how the very same home can look quite different, as with her comparison of a “clean” home versus a “messy” home. All the pictures convey the author’s sense of wonder with both the natural and the magical.

The homes follow one after the other in a related progression with simple lyrics that have a Dr. Seuss-like feel. They convey all that is necessary.

Ellis’s artwork, evocative of folklore and fairytales, may seem familiar because of her illustrations for the book series "Wildwood Chronicles," written by Ellis’s husband, Colin Meloy. (One of the pictures - of a home in an apartment - shows some graffiti: “I love CM.”)

Discussion: I could spend hours looking at the pictures in this book, ferreting out half-hidden delightful details. Curious kids will want to seek out more information from her tantalizing taste of other worlds. I imagine kids might want to know, to name but a few things: What is this Atlantis that looks so intriguing? What is the story behind the gourd birdhouses shown in Kenya? How can I find out more about the seahorses that live in “sea homes”? Who might live on a mountain top?

Evaluation: This book is full of treats and surprises, and will provide hours of entertainment. The art work is just lovely.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll always have thing for the muted palate/folksy style of The Decemberists' art for that warm feeling the band gave in me in the early 2000s. In this book I like the quirkiness and the well balanced panels (great use of the gutter!), but I don't like stereotypical depictions of some of the dwellers (wigwams - for real?)

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Raïssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

beaux dessins mais histoire décousue

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the cyclical ending (or beginning) of this book and how Ellis' journey through different homes, imaginary as well as wholly real all blossomed from the artist's studio (final picture). As a debut, I found Ellis' concept of what home means to different people a powerful and thought-provoking discussion. She uses her colours sparingly, browns, greys, greens and reds to great effect as we follow a little bird - a migrator free to travel anywhere - around the world (both real and imaginary) to places we may never visit.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and beautiful. A definite Caldecott 2016 contender.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carson Ellis, an illustrator known for her work on her musician/author husband Colin Meloy's album covers and novels, makes her solo debut with this picture-book, which profiles a variety of homes, realistic and imaginary. From houses in the country to apartments in the city, from living underwater to living on the road, a diverse range of homes is profiled here: identified in simple statements, and depicted in lovely folk-art illustrations.

From an aesthetic perspective, I enjoyed Home immensely. I appreciated Ellis' subtle but appealing color palette, and found that her use of stylized figures and objects helped to create a charmingly retro-vintage feeling. That said, I wasn't quite as impressed with the narrative, which felt random to me, and not in an appealing way. I found that while I appreciated the individual homes beings portrayed, somehow their juxtaposition just didn't work for me. Still, this is a worthy first endeavor, and I look forward to seeing what Ellis does in her second picture-book, the recently released Du Iz Tak? . Recommended to fans of Ellis' artwork, or to those who have enjoyed Jon Klassen's books, which have a very similar visual feeling to them.

Addendum: I see that Home has been criticized for some stereotyping, when it comes to who lives where - a young girl of color living in a graffiti-covered urban apartment building, for instance - as well as some poorly thought out juxtapositions. Is the pairing of an old sailing ship with people living in a wigwam an intentional reference to first contact between Europeans and Native Americans? If so, what (if anything) is Ellis trying to communicate? Although not offended myself, I can see why some might have concerns. One criticism I have seen that strikes me as misguided is the one that claims that the scene set in a Middle-Eastern palace, complete with underground lair containing piles of gold, is an example of some kind of Orientalist exotification. Coming as it does before the "home" in a shoe - a clear fairy-tale reference - I myself read the Middle-Eastern scene as a reference to the story of Aladdin, and have to wonder if these critics are simply unaware of that story, and ignorant of the wider storytelling tradition of The Arabian Nights .

[Orsolya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The same way that people come in all shapes and sizes; as do the homes that they live in. Carson Ellis attempts to expand acceptance and preclude any judgments towards the classification of homes in, “Home”.

“Home” is an oversized juvenile picture book with very little text targeting very young children mostly in the 4-6 age bracket. The focus of “Home” is more on the illustrations than actual prose but the message is clear: people and animals live in diverse dwellings but one is not better than the next.

Ellis begins “Home” by presenting a variety of homes and mentioning the types of creatures to inhabit them. Uniquely, “Home” then takes turn showing the interior of homes versus the exterior and then switching it up yet again by presenting homes (even fantasy ones) which engage a child’s creativity by asking who lives in them. This makes “Home” interactive and more memorable versus a simply declarative book.

Although “Home” is intended for small children; the author and illustrator Carson Ellis is known amongst adults as the wife of Colin Meloy, lead singer of the band, The Decemberists. Ellis has illustrated Meloy’s writings and also album covers. Therefore, the illustrations in “Home” are very much in the hipster-indie art realm and can be imagined being sold on Etsy.com in the form of prints. Despite the slight adult essence; children will love the large, colorful, and detailed watercolor paintings that cover the pages. Parents will notice details such as the “I love CM” tag amongst the graffiti drawings and the dove in every illustration.

Overall, “Home” is a very simple and to-the-point book for the young ones (perhaps too simple); but has a positive message. “Home” is recommended to introduce children to the concept of unique homes and would be exceptional in a situation where a family is intending to move. However, don’t expect to be blown away and there are far better similar children’s books on the market.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful first book for Carson Ellis

There are lovely illustrations to show that home is where the heart is. Using various colors and shapes, the author includes books around the world.

A solid 4 rating.

[Zak Aylett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool view on how many different types of homes people may live in!

[Literary Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the illustrations are so cozy and interesting, I want to live in almost all these homes

[Sophia Z]

Read it many times TO my 14-months old son. Can’t wait to read it WITH him one day.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful. A must-read for anyone who loves children's literature. An instant classic.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this book 72 times in a row and not get tired of it.

[Ella · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is full of pretty pictures but also full of problematic stereotypes and caricatures. Would not recommend reading this to any child.

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the artwork of this book! The illustrations are mainly whimsical depictions of various types of homes, of both people and animals, around the world.

Some of those featured - a Norse god, a raccoon, a Moonian - are fanciful and funny. Others are uncomfortable stereotypes, and should be discussed at length with your child while reading together.

The illustration style was wonderful, the only issue I have is that some of the scenes were not fully explained by the text, and might encourage children to believe broad, questionable stereotypes at an early age.

[Dilara Inam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is pretty creative and also I really like all the illustrations.

Here comes the but part... There are lots of reductionist, orientalist and even racist ideas about people and their houses. There are lots of stereotypes embedded in relation with class, race and gender.

If it does not have culturally inappropriate examples, I would give 5 stars for sure.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Where is your home? Where are you?" Ellis reflects on all the possibilities of home through her lovely illustrations and fantastical imaginings of all that a home could be. Many of the homes are familiar to us from stories and nursery rhymes.

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally brought this book because of a recommendation by OwlCrate, I'm so glad I did as Home was absolute perfection. The writing and the illustrations blew me away and the story kept my daughter entertained while we were reading!!!

[Samantha Shoen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. My kids love this book. The illustrations are beautiful and it sure makes a person love Home.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home, homes, and home!

[Emma Sedlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text is quite simple, but the illustrations are so remarkable that this book is a stunning meditation on a wide range of homes, including what the home of a Norse God might look like!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty, imaginative, meta.