The illustrations of Isabelle Arsenault get me every time. I would pick up any book because of her watercolors. They are beautiful.
The poem accompany these illustrations is very sweet. I can picture a mother, father, grandparent, etc. sitting with a little person on their lap reading turning each page and touching the pictures as the poem is read. It will fill you up with warmth. ( )

A lovely poetic celebration of the idea of belonging - each being and thing having a place where it belongs - and interconnectedness - everything belonging together with something else, in a particular relationship of place or love, or both - You Belong Here is a gorgeous picture-book, one that pairs a beautiful text with haunting artwork. There is much here about the natural world: "The whales and the fishes belong in the sea / and the waves belong by the shore, / and the dune's where the grasses belong to be / because grasses are what dunes are for. / And the trees belongs in the wild wood / and the deer belong in their shade, / and the birds belong so safe and good / and warm in the nests that they've made." But there is also a refrain that assures the young listener that they too belong, together with the reader - perhaps a parent? - in a circle of love.

Poet M.H. Clark delivers a powerful work here, one that reads well aloud, and will linger long after in the mind, with beautiful word-images and thoughtful juxtapositions of creature and place. Isabelle Arsenault, who also illustrated Jane, the Fox, and Me and Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois, delivers equally lovely visual images, utilizing a subtle sepia-toned palette, with the occasional colorful accent, to create a world both mysterious and inviting - a world where one belongs, together with all of the rest of creation. Recommended to anyone who enjoys beautiful picture-books, as well as to anyone who would like a reassurance tale - one that says: "yes, young listener, you do belong: you belong with those who love you" - that is as poetic as it is calming. ( )

A book that somehow just ends up creepy. Each animal is where they are supposed to be, and then "you'll always belong right next to me and I'll belong next to you". I understand the goal of the book but it just rings oddly. ( )

sweet and loving; animals and where they belong, and child belongs here with parent - wonderful soft rhyme and equally appealing illustrations ( )

The words are so beautifil they shadow the illustrations which are quite lovely. Perfect for all new babies but also for a young child. Acceptance, reassurance and love. ( )