Deborah Freedman’s masterful new picture book is at once an introduction to the pieces of a house, a cozy story to share and explore, and a dreamy meditation on the magic of our homes and our world.Before there was this house, there were stones, and mud, and a colossal oak tree— three hugs around and as high as the blue. What was your home, once? This poetically simple, thought-provoking, and gorgeously illustrated book invites readers to think about where things come from and what nature provides.

Deborah Freedman was an architect once, but now she builds houses and worlds in picture books for children. She lives in Connecticut, in a colorful house near woods, a muddy river, and a large rock ridge. You can learn more about Deborah and her books—including Blue Chicken; The Story of Fish & Snail; Shy; and This House, Once—at DeborahFreedman.net.