Julia's House for Lost Creatures
By Ben Hatke
The Story
A girl and her walking house settle into a too-quiet neighborhood, so she puts up a sign inviting lost creatures in — goblins, mermaids, a dragon — and soon has a household that's lively but hard to manage.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants to adopt every stray animal and lonely classmate they meet, this is a whole houseful of taking people in.
- Big idea: A home isn't about who matches — it's about making room, and everyone pitching in once they're there.
- Vibes: Cozy, whimsical, gently chaotic — like a dollhouse that grew fairies and dragons overnight.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories with magical creatures like goblins and mermaids
- are working on sharing space and doing their part at home
- like to pore over busy, detailed illustrations
- respond well to stories about welcoming others in
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Julia decided to invite lost creatures into her house?
- Real-life connection: Has your house or classroom ever felt too quiet, like Julia's neighborhood?
- Imagination: If you could invite one magical creature to live with you, who would it be?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the goblins and mermaids felt when Julia gave them a home?
- Responsibility: Why do you think everyone in Julia's house needed a chore to do?
