Home in the Sky

Mike keeps a flock of pigeons on the roof of his Brooklyn apartment building. Among his birds is Light, a white pigeon who accompanies Mike on daily flights above New York City. One day, Light becomes separated from the flock during their routine journey over the city. The story follows Light's path through various New York neighborhoods and locations as the pigeon tries to find the way home. Baker's distinctive collage illustrations capture both panoramic cityscapes and intimate street-level scenes of urban life. The artwork combines natural and human-made materials to create textured, three-dimensional views of New York from multiple perspectives. The narrative speaks to themes of belonging and the different ways people and animals carve out homes within the complexity of urban environments. Through Light's journey, readers gain a fresh view of city life and the connections that exist between sky and street.

Readers appreciate the detailed collage illustrations that bring New York City's rooftops and skyscapes to life. Parents and teachers note the book works well for discussing themes of freedom, home, and letting go with young children. Several reviews mention the artwork creates a sense of depth and perspective that makes readers feel they're viewing the city from above. A common observation is that children enjoy spotting details in the intricate cityscapes. Critics point out the simple plot may not hold attention for multiple readings. Some find the pacing slow in the middle sections. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (187 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (12 ratings) From reader reviews: "The collages are stunning - you can see every texture and layer" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful but brief - we finished it too quickly" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for teaching about urban environments and different perspectives" - School Library Journal reader review

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🕊️ This book was inspired by the author watching New York City's rooftop pigeon keepers, who maintain coops and fly their birds high above the urban landscape. 🎨 Jeannie Baker created the book's illustrations using her signature collage technique, incorporating real materials like cloth, sand, and vegetation to build intricate 3D scenes. 🏙️ The story takes place across various New York City landmarks, including the World Trade Center towers as they appeared when the book was published in 1984. 🐦 The white pigeon in the story represents a breed called Racing Homers, known for their exceptional ability to find their way home from distances of up to 600 miles away. 🌎 The book has been published in multiple languages and is used in schools worldwide to teach children about urban wildlife, navigation, and the concept of "home."