Having lived his entire life aboard a cargo vessel, Vincent the cat had no idea what "home" meant. He'd spent his days traveling from place to place, appreciating the view, but never staying long. When the crew of his ship spoke excitedly of this place called home, Vincent decided to investigate, following one of the crew when he disembarked. What he discovered was that home wasn't a physical place at all, but was an emotional space, or state of being, created by the people one loved. Did this mean that he himself was homeless? Perhaps not...

The fourth picture-book I have read from talented author/artist Jessixa Bagley, Vincent Comes Home was created together with Bagley's husband, Aaron. It is a lovely book, one which pairs beautiful ink and watercolor artwork with a poignant and ultimately heartwarming story about a cat who discovers that home and family have been with him all along. Although understated, the story here really does pack an emotional punch, and I finished it with a lump in my throat. It probably helps to be a cat-lover. Recommended to fans of Bagley's work, and to anyone looking for children's stories addressing the themes of home and family, and where one belongs. ( )

Home theme storytime? ( )