When the Stars Came Home

by Brittany Luby, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

A heartwarming book from creators of Indigenous and Métis descent about the power of story and tradition to help navigate change

How does a strange new place become home?

When Ojiig moves to the city with his family, he misses everything they left behind. Most of all, he misses the sparkling night sky. Without the stars watching over him, he feels lost.

His parents try to help, but nothing seems to work. Not glow-in-the-dark sticker stars, not a star-shaped nightlight. But then they have a new idea for how to make Ojiig feel better — a special quilt stitched through with family stories that will wrap Ojiig in the warmth of knowing who he is and where he came from. Join this irresistible family as they discover the power of story and tradition to make a new place feel like home.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Family, Native American, Childrens, History, Cultural

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2023

About the author

Brittany Luby (Anishinaabe-kwe, atik totem) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Guelph. Raised in the lands of Treaty 3, she is the many-greats granddaughter of Chief Kawitaskung, an Anishinaabe leader who signed the North-West Angle Treaty of 1873. Her family originates from Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation formerly known as Dalles First Nation (Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining Ojibway Nation). She specializes in Anishinaabe-settler relations in what is now known as northwestern Ontario.
Brittany seeks to stimulate public discussion of Indigenous issues through her work. She now lives on Territories cared for under the Dish with One Spoon Covenant.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy feels homesick after his multiracial family moves to a big city and he can no longer see the stars at night. His family members -- those still close and those left behind -- help comfort him.

It's not bad, but it's just too low-key and melancholy for me.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

When the Stars Came Home follows the story of a young Anishinaabe boy who has grown up on the land but has had to move into the city with his family for his dad's job. The boy struggles to adjust to city life, especially because he can't see the stars with the city lights. With the help of his family, he is able to reconnect to the feeling the stars brought him through traditional quilting. It's an absolutely lovely story with a beautiful display of Anishinaabe traditions. I also love Natasha Donovan as an artist, and her work here is great, especially on the quilt. Recommended!

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how settler's quilting traditions mixed with First People's star blanket traditions to create a family tradition that provided comfort for the little boy relocated to the big city. Sweet and informative.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful and expressive digital illustrations depict a Native American (Anishinaabe) boy adjusting to his family’s new life in the city, which is made easier by listening to his mother’s stories about the hardships his ancestors faced while mother and son stitch together a family quilt. The boy learns that home is not just where you hang your hat; rather, “Home is where you learn who came before you. Home is where you discover who you are. Home is where you imagine who you might become.” End pages include an Author’s Note that describes her own assimilation journey and a Pronunciation Note for terms mentioned in the story.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Native American boy feels displaced when his family moves to the city. Nothing feels familiar, especially the night sky. His parents try star stickers on the ceiling and a special night light but it isn't the same. Then his mother makes a star quilt, relating stories of the family's history as she stitches the pieces together. Between the quilt and his grandparents visiting, the boy realizes that home is more than the house or city in which you live.

[Y.Poston]

a lovely story of having to move
and learning family stories that
help you hang onto home

[Evan Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When the Stars Came Home" offers a poignant exploration of family, tradition, belonging, and the experience of finding a home in a new environment, as seen through the eyes of an Indigenous boy named Ojiig who relocates to the city. The narrative highlights the significance of storytelling and cultural heritage in fostering a sense of identity and connection to one's origins, even amidst change and displacement. This compelling story conveys a crucial and multifaceted message. On one hand, it underscores that home is defined by love and family, while on the other, it provides insight into how cultures, such as Indigenous peoples, preserve and share their stories. The illustrations are beautifully crafted, vibrant, and impactful, serving as one of the standout features of this remarkable tale. As a parent, I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative and found no faults in it. My children were captivated by the vivid images, which sparked meaningful discussions about the book's deeper themes. Additionally, I appreciated the inclusion of a pronunciation guide and the author's personal story."

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5+

Any child who has moved to a new place will relate to Ojiig's longing for home--and parents will probably relate to trying multiple methods to help their kiddo adjust and process that sadness!

I love that Mama uses each triangle of the quilt that she makes with Ojiig to tell stories about their family, Ojiig's ancestors. The beautiful star quilt wraps around Ojiig and inspires him to think of his past, present, and future. Lovely sentiment.

"Home is where you learn who came before you. Home is where you discover who you are. Home is where you imagine who you might become."

The author's note provides historical context, some of which may be a bit much for the youngest kids. Pronunciation notes are great, as is the author's personal inspiration for the story.

[A slightly lower rating only because I have mixed feelings about the illustrations, which is probably mostly a *me* thing.]

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award.  At first glance, you can't really tell what the cover of the book is supposed to be.  After reading the story, you can look back and see that it is supposed to be a quilt with all of the memories stitched in.  I don't find the cover to be very appealing to young children.  Perhaps it will appeal to them after reading the story, when they are shown it is a quilt...?  The illustrations bring such life into this book!  The text is wonderful, but the illustrations really make it all come together.  The story is such a sweet little family story about how no matter how far you are from home or how far you are away from family, they are always with you in the form of memories.  *I also LOVED how this book brought quilting into a picture book.  It’s really a lost art.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brittany Luby is an Indigenous writer and illustrator Natasha Donovan is of Métis descent. Their picture book story of Ojiig and his family forced by economic circumstances to move to the city, away from their cultural center, and away from from the stars, which is what he misses most. Glw-in-the-dark stars don't quite cut it, but mom makes a star quilt, with stories connected to every part of it. Where is hime? In the stories we hold.

Luby tells of the thousands of kids taken from their homes for decades to Residential Schools to remove them from Indigenous cultures. Not really connected to this story directly, but a talikng point, and relevant in that Ojiig's family also had to move to the city.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

I wanted to like this more than I did. I think it's really important to have Own Voices books, especially from Indigenous people. I really felt for the main character as he struggles to make the city he moved to feel like a home. He has very supportive parents who try many ways to make the boy feel better.

This is nitpicky but one reason the book let me down a little was the font of the text. It just didn't fit the story well and it bothered me the whole time. I also didn't love the illustration style as it seemed somewhat generic.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy misses his native American home, grandparents, and traditions when his family moves to a big city. He especially misses the stars that are now blotted out by city lights. His mother makes him a quilt with pieces that represent memories of his past; the complete pattern is a star.
We learn that the star quilt is a tradition among some NA nations, representing their culture and memories.
Some words from the boy's native language are used. A glossary and pronunciation guide are provided.
Wonderful story to tie-in with American Indian Heritage Month.

[Rebecca Reidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows a child when they move from the country to a big city. They miss fishing hearing stories and watching the stars. They really struggle with feeling homesick until the child's mother comforts them with stories about their ancestors while making a quilt. The quilt then is able to comfort Ojiig's homesickness. This book could comfort children who recently relocated or are missing family, friends, or home.

[Kate Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about Ojiig who moves cities and he misses everything he left behind. He missed the sparking night sky most of all, he feels lost and nothing seems to help. Through the story and by the help of his family and grandparents he realizes what home really means. I think this would be a great story for children who are experiencing a move or living in a new place, to feel comfort in the change.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of a young boy who moved from the reservation to the city. His father took a new job that required this move. Readers see Ojiig struggle with this new environment while trying to find a new normal that works. His parents help him by trying to bring stars back into his life. We see them try several options until his mom makes him a star quilt and shares their ancestors' history while doing so. Powerful message of connecting to our culture and traditions.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is really lovely and very affirming. Lots of kids will relate to feeling out of place in a new home that doesn't feel like home, and will understand that a new place can't ever quite be home. But family, customs, history, and connection are what home really is. The illustrations aren't my favorite, but there are many really nice spreads.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book that celebrates the important of family and heritage. When his family moves to the city, Ojiig misses all of the traditions he shared with his community and grandparents. His parents slowly help him bring those traditions to his new home. Shines a light on indigenous family life.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Beautiful story about a young boy who moves to a big city from a smaller native community. His parents help him adjust. Mom makes a quilt while weaving the story of his family into each piece.
Home is where you learn who came before you.
Home is where you discover who you are.
Home is where you imagine who you might become.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/9/2024 ~ Moving is difficult. Cultural traditions can help us stay connected to our family, even when we move far away. This story told and illustrated by Indigenous creators, and it connects the star quilt & it's historical tradition with a youth who is struggling with the family move from his rural home to the city.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun, and I was impressed with the inclusion of all the different great-grandparents from very different backgrounds.

Unfortunately, in the author's note she starts using fairly inflammatory language against people who live in North America who aren't Natives. Kind of sad if you ask me.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ojiig and his family move to the city, he misses many things about his old home. But, most of all he misses the stars, so bright in the night sky. Can his family find a way to bring the stars to the city for him? A lovely, warm hug of a book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations accompany a story about a child moving from their ancestral home to a large city. This story would be good to read during any transition as it shares a way to take home with you.

[Mark H · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think i’d really give this a 3.5 if i could, i enjoyed it but it felt a little choppy to me like parts were missing, and i don’t think the idea (idiom?) of “home under a hat” wasnt explained/explored well enough
but i LOVED the last page

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Home is where you learn who came before you. Home is where you discover who you are. Home is where you imagine who you might become"

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about homesickness and heritage.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the quilt and its connection to home and ancestors. Historically interesting and also relevant to my own story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that helps to feel how a Native American child feels moving from his own land to a city. The wise parents find ways to help the boy hold on to his home. A must read.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up picture book about a boy whose family moves to the city and his longing for his culture and comfort from his former home.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I saw it on a list of potential award winners. It includes several topics in one book.