Home in the Woods
By Eliza Wheeler
The Story
After their father dies, six-year-old Marvel, her seven siblings, and their mother move into a run-down tar-paper shack deep in the Wisconsin woods and slowly turn it into a home.
Why It's Special
For families talking through loss or big change, this is a gentle, true-feeling reminder that home is something people build together, not something you simply find.
- Big idea: Home isn't a place you're given — it's something a family makes together, season by season, even out of very little.
- Vibes: Quiet, tender, and hopeful, with the changing seasons giving the story its rhythm.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working through a family change like loss or moving
- enjoy stories grounded in nature and the seasons
- respond well to quiet, character-driven storytelling
- like to talk about what makes a house feel like home
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What are some of the things Marvel and her siblings do to turn the tar-paper shack into a real home?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Marvel felt when she first saw the shack in the woods?
- Real-life connection: Has your family ever had to start over somewhere new? What helped it feel like home?
- Imagination: If you lived in the woods like Marvel's family, what season do you think you'd enjoy most, and why?
- Big ideas: The book says the family finds joy in being together, even during hard times. What does your family do that brings you joy?
