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The Lantern House
From the nationally beloved co-host of the #1 hit show
Home Town
comes the quintessential celebration of home.
Imagine a house's early days as a home: A young family builds a picket fence and plants flowers in its yard, children climb the magnolia tree and play the piano in the living room, and there is music inside the house for many happy years. But what will happen when its windows grow dark, its paint starts to crumble, and its boards creak in the winter wind? The house dreams of a family who will love it again...and one day, a new story will emerge from within its walls.
In this modern classic, Erin Napier’s lyrical prose and Adam Trest’s warm and comforting paintings deeply evoke the soul of a house cherishing the seasons of life and discovering the joy of rebirth.
Imagine a house's early days as a home: A young family builds a picket fence and plants flowers in its yard, children climb the magnolia tree and play the piano in the living room, and there is music inside the house for many happy years. But what will happen when its windows grow dark, its paint starts to crumble, and its boards creak in the winter wind? The house dreams of a family who will love it again...and one day, a new story will emerge from within its walls.
In this modern classic, Erin Napier’s lyrical prose and Adam Trest’s warm and comforting paintings deeply evoke the soul of a house cherishing the seasons of life and discovering the joy of rebirth.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
September 5, 2022
No
you're
crying over a silly old house. 😭
May 4, 2022
A very touching story about celebrating home.
The Lantern House takes us through the life cycle of a house. Narrated by the house it tells of it's early days shows us its newness, a young couple moving in, planting a flower garden, building a white picket fence. The house loves watching them grow and settle in. Through the years they have a baby who the house enjoys watching her grow and laugh. Once day the girl falls in love with a boy she used to swing on the houses front porch with, and they get married in the house. Then more years pass the couple and the house are alone again their child and grandchild visits. Then the house is by itself once more, it's lonely, and older and needs fixing up now. One day a new family moves in, paints the walls, cleans the cobwebs, fixes the fence and makes it a home again, and the house is so happy! It is once again a source of comfort and joy.
I absolutely LOVED this book! It made me emotional and gave me The Giving Tree vibes. The colorful illustrations were so sweet. My children both enjoy this one regularly. Reccomended for ages 4-8.
Thank You to @hbgcanada for sending me this book opinions are my own.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
The Lantern House takes us through the life cycle of a house. Narrated by the house it tells of it's early days shows us its newness, a young couple moving in, planting a flower garden, building a white picket fence. The house loves watching them grow and settle in. Through the years they have a baby who the house enjoys watching her grow and laugh. Once day the girl falls in love with a boy she used to swing on the houses front porch with, and they get married in the house. Then more years pass the couple and the house are alone again their child and grandchild visits. Then the house is by itself once more, it's lonely, and older and needs fixing up now. One day a new family moves in, paints the walls, cleans the cobwebs, fixes the fence and makes it a home again, and the house is so happy! It is once again a source of comfort and joy.
I absolutely LOVED this book! It made me emotional and gave me The Giving Tree vibes. The colorful illustrations were so sweet. My children both enjoy this one regularly. Reccomended for ages 4-8.
Thank You to @hbgcanada for sending me this book opinions are my own.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
July 27, 2024
Why did I automatically personify my green little house with the French doors, waiting & wanting to take care of my family.
June 22, 2024
Enh. It's fine.
September 27, 2022
The idea and story of home is so beautiful. There is a family. They paint and plant and love in this house but then leave. The house dreams of a family who will love it again...and one day, a new story will emerge from within its walls.
I love the idea that a house remains no matter what the family does. Families move, families age., and new families begin. There are so many historical events that have happened in the history of a house's lifetime. The illustrations are gorgeous and really bring the house alive. I feel like without them, The Lantern House wouldn't have an identity.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
I love the idea that a house remains no matter what the family does. Families move, families age., and new families begin. There are so many historical events that have happened in the history of a house's lifetime. The illustrations are gorgeous and really bring the house alive. I feel like without them, The Lantern House wouldn't have an identity.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
January 29, 2024
Great book for the fans of HGTV’s hometown and elementary school librarians and readers.
This book is about when the family settles in to Laurel, Mississippi and then how it come back to life (as shown in the certain episodes of hometown in every season). I love Adam Trest, because his illustrations are always interesting and inspirational.
This book is about when the family settles in to Laurel, Mississippi and then how it come back to life (as shown in the certain episodes of hometown in every season). I love Adam Trest, because his illustrations are always interesting and inspirational.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2022
Sweet stories; the retro-looking illustrations remind me of illustrations from the 40s and 50s.
September 12, 2022
So sweet, I almost had tears.
June 13, 2024
The sweetest story and prettiest artwork 🩵
July 20, 2022
A sweet picture book about a house that shines like a lantern when lived in.
September 3, 2022
Cute idea but I feel like it could have been so much more.
June 1, 2022
The Lantern House by Erin Napier, is a beautifully written and illustrated children’s picture book, essentially about the circle of life, but through the perspective of an aging house. As a new house, a family moves in and loves it throughout the stages of their life, but now shuttered and in disrepair, a new family renovates and renews the structure with love.
I read this book digitally, but I would recommend reading this story as a physical book instead. It was clumsy to read digitally and required work for this reader to adjust picture size and font.
That being said, as with any Napier project (See HGTV Hometown), it is created with beauty and grace; the focus is always about family, love and kindness. It is a thoughtful story meant for children, but touching for adults as well. All the emotions are felt while reading, and the illustrations are perfect. Well done!
I read this book digitally, but I would recommend reading this story as a physical book instead. It was clumsy to read digitally and required work for this reader to adjust picture size and font.
That being said, as with any Napier project (See HGTV Hometown), it is created with beauty and grace; the focus is always about family, love and kindness. It is a thoughtful story meant for children, but touching for adults as well. All the emotions are felt while reading, and the illustrations are perfect. Well done!
August 10, 2022
This appears to be a sweet story of a house that really loves being a home for a family. As time passes the original family moves away/passes on and the house is in disrepair. A new family moves in and begins fixing the house up and remodeling a bit.
I'm a little worried that there might be some unintended (or intended) racism here. The first family to move into to the perfect, brand new house is white. After the house is abandoned a Black family moves in. I'm wondering if anyone else sees this as racism? The fact that the White family moves into the beautiful, brand new house but the Black family moved in to a derelict house. I'd love to hear people's thoughts.
At this point, not recommended for storytime until I get some feedback.
I'm a little worried that there might be some unintended (or intended) racism here. The first family to move into to the perfect, brand new house is white. After the house is abandoned a Black family moves in. I'm wondering if anyone else sees this as racism? The fact that the White family moves into the beautiful, brand new house but the Black family moved in to a derelict house. I'd love to hear people's thoughts.
At this point, not recommended for storytime until I get some feedback.
August 10, 2022
A sweet story about a house that gives a family a home. As the family moves on, the house is sad. Then a new family comes and makes the house a home. It reminds me of the classic book The Little House.
Reviewed from a library copy.
Reviewed from a library copy.
May 29, 2022
The illustrations by Adam Trest in "The Lantern House" took me back to my childhood. I love how each illustration lives and breathes on the page. In one sentence--"The mailbox is empty,"--Erin Napier defines that empty space between life and renewed life for a house. She writes with heart.
June 2, 2022
Delightful book! I know this will sound strange, but it kind of reminded me of The Giving Tree, but not nearly as sad. Maybe it is because it is written from the point of view of an inanimate object. Much more uplifting, however.
June 29, 2022
Very charming. I was just confused as to why they had someone else illustrate it instead of having Erin paint the scenes for the illustrations.
June 24, 2025
This one is a hug in book form. The Lantern House tells the story of a house; not just the bricks and windows, but the heart of it. Through gentle, lyrical words and cozy illustrations, Erin Napier (yes, from Home Town!) invites us to see a home as a witness to the lives that pass through it.
Told from the perspective of the house itself, this picture book celebrates everything from quiet mornings to growing families, from changes in seasons to changes in people. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and full of that warm glow you feel when you drive past a house with its lights on at night.
The art is soft and dreamy, and the message is timeless: houses are more than places. They’re part of our stories.
Told from the perspective of the house itself, this picture book celebrates everything from quiet mornings to growing families, from changes in seasons to changes in people. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and full of that warm glow you feel when you drive past a house with its lights on at night.
The art is soft and dreamy, and the message is timeless: houses are more than places. They’re part of our stories.
August 25, 2022
What a home means from the perspective of the home. This one is about the first family that moves in and raises a child, who then gets married, has kids, moves away and then as the parents die the house sits vacant waiting for another someone to come love it up. And one does.
It's the cycle of life as well as the cycle of a home that is lovely to share the joys of connection. It would be a good book to discuss the cycles of objects over time and this one illustrates the passage of time with the seasons to help show that well though the idea of "lantern house" worked, it wasn't as strong of a presence as I thought it was going to be in integrating into the story.
It's the cycle of life as well as the cycle of a home that is lovely to share the joys of connection. It would be a good book to discuss the cycles of objects over time and this one illustrates the passage of time with the seasons to help show that well though the idea of "lantern house" worked, it wasn't as strong of a presence as I thought it was going to be in integrating into the story.
August 22, 2023
The Lantern House is all about change. The author, Erin Napier tells the story through the point of view of the house itself. First the house has a family and life events happen through the years. Then the house is empty until it is found and redone by a new family. This life cycle of the house makes it seem to be alive. In a way it is saying that you can reinvent yourself into something new. The Lantern House
April 1, 2025
4.5🌟 A lovely, dreamy and touching children's book!
I fell in love with the illustrations with their cool colors and almost dream-like appearance. Reading this book from the house's point of view is refreshing and also touching.
I think of my own house as a friend to our family and this beautiful book (check under the dust jacket!) gives me that same warm and cozy feeling.
The perfect book to read to yourself (or a child) when before bed or during a move to/from a new home. The tone of timelessness and continuity is very comforting.
Highly recommended, especially if you love books about houses.
I fell in love with the illustrations with their cool colors and almost dream-like appearance. Reading this book from the house's point of view is refreshing and also touching.
I think of my own house as a friend to our family and this beautiful book (check under the dust jacket!) gives me that same warm and cozy feeling.
The perfect book to read to yourself (or a child) when before bed or during a move to/from a new home. The tone of timelessness and continuity is very comforting.
Highly recommended, especially if you love books about houses.
March 9, 2026
I loved this more than I thought I would. A perfect book for families wholesome home libraries.
This is a sweet story that gently teaches children about home. What makes a home precious. A story about families and their lifetimes. A story about the importance of old things and taking care of them.
The art for this is gorgeous. I love the style and colors. I truly believe that there is no other children's book in existence that will look like this. It's beautiful and unique. I love that the beginning of the book tells us the mediums used to create the illustrations. And I love Erin's dedication to collaborating with her local artists.
This is a sweet story that gently teaches children about home. What makes a home precious. A story about families and their lifetimes. A story about the importance of old things and taking care of them.
The art for this is gorgeous. I love the style and colors. I truly believe that there is no other children's book in existence that will look like this. It's beautiful and unique. I love that the beginning of the book tells us the mediums used to create the illustrations. And I love Erin's dedication to collaborating with her local artists.
August 8, 2022
The Lantern House tells the story from the perspective of the house, a different point of view than usual. A couple moves in, and the house becomes a home. As the years pass, the daughter leaves home, marries, has a son, the dad dies and the mom dies as well. Then, the house is alone waiting for the next family. The next family moves in and makes it their new home. Lovely illustrations, moving plot that captures the readers' heart! Two thumbs up for this book! I am looking forward to recommending this book once we have it in our library.
June 6, 2022
Sometimes I buy books that are beautiful with no context about the actually story. This was one of those books. You can't help but feel warm and fuzzy seeing all the bright colors, fun shapes, and details so small you might miss them if you rush. Thankfully, the story is also really tender and precious. The message in a lyric: "A chair is not a chair, and a house is not a home when there's no one there to turn the key." A wonderful story to leave if you love your home and all it provides.
April 6, 2025
Some might find this touching. I just find it cheesy.
Tells the story of the house, who is personified, as it watches the family that lives in it move in, have babies, who grows up, gets married, moves out, brings a grandkid over, etc.
I guess if you're in the mood to read something more touchy-feely to your kid (something, something, teaching them to find beauty in everyday life, yadda, yadda), then this book does have lovely illustrations.
Tells the story of the house, who is personified, as it watches the family that lives in it move in, have babies, who grows up, gets married, moves out, brings a grandkid over, etc.
I guess if you're in the mood to read something more touchy-feely to your kid (something, something, teaching them to find beauty in everyday life, yadda, yadda), then this book does have lovely illustrations.
December 26, 2025
3.5 stars. I like the classic look and feel of this newer book. It made me think of The Little House, which, as it turns out, is a book I'd never read. A sweet little story of time passing, but I'm not sure who I would read this to. It's perfect for an adult reader.
October 15, 2022
I request books from my amazing local library and on occasion they take awhile to come in, and when that happens I sometimes forget why I requested the particular book. This was one of those cases but oh I’m so glad I did. What a beautiful little story about family and home With gorgeous art work ❤️
November 18, 2022
Not even going to lie this book made me cry! It was so sad but it ended so happily. This book talks about the house as the main character and what a house thinks as it goes through different families. It was such a sweet story and at parts it was sad but in the end he finds a new family and it shows that no matter what happens memories last forever and its never too late for new beginnings.
March 7, 2023
Written more for an adult audience, this story about the passage of time as told by an old house introduces the cycles of life—birth, death, seasons, and so on—and reinforces the traditional heteronormative values of the dominant culture as if only these values will truly stand the test of time. Nostalgic illustrations add welcome touches of color to this age-old narrative.
March 20, 2023
I love books told from an inanimate object's point of view. In this case , it's a house called the lantern house because of the love and light inside the house. It follows a family but when the family leaves the house is darkened. Then suddenly a family moves in and the house becomes full of light and love. Also a wonderful metaphor on the life cycle!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews