Loved this story! A different view on the experience of moving for children. This time, the house moves instead of the child! Fun read with lively illustrations.

If I had a quarter for every time my plans have gone awry, I could probably fund the government's next stimulus plan.

And yet I continue to make them. And sometimes they work splendidly and sometimes they go more or less as expected and sometimes--most of the time--they leave me drowning in the floodwaters of the unexpected, clutching desperately for the raft-like security of pen and paper and a brand new plan.

But sometimes, some glorious times when everything is crashing to pieces around me, my plans are wrested away from my hands. I give in to the waves. Somehow, the waves are gentler than my lists and checkboxes and calendars. I'm lifted up to safety by an unseen hand, and I realize that my silly plans made no sense at all.

Trust. It's never easy. In my experience, pure offerings of trust lead to danger and uncertainty. The roughest moments of my life have followed my most sincere abandonment of my plans. And yet--they were the best times, too. They were moments I was lifted up and the moments I felt love in every fibre of my being. I could never have made a plan as good as that.

I've read a bit on this topic: saints and scholars and mystics all offer good advice on trust. I've struggled this past month to read through St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, to wrap my mind around her exhortations to trust completely. And then--I read a little picture book that made it all seem clear.

Julia's House Moves On is technically a sequel to Julia's House for Lost Creatures, a warm and whimsical picture book by Ben Hatke. The sequel is warm and whimsical as well--but I found in it a new layer of beauty and meaning.

I could sum up the plot in one line: A girl makes plans; they go awry; but everything turns out better in the end. Sound a bit like my life, which is perhaps why it resonated so strongly with me. But this is one of those amazing picture books--perhaps like the classic Where the Wild Things Are--that I'll find impossible to read without finding metaphor and meaning. It could be a story about moving, about the confusion and discomfort, but ultimate joy, of leaving one home and making another. It could be a story about adventure, about abandoning the old and boldly facing the new and mysterious. It could be about growing up, leaving one stage of childhood behind to face a new one. It could be about facing the uncertainty of daily life with courage (as my 13-year-old said, "This is a book everybody should read in the time of Corona Virus."). It could even be about death, about moving on from this world and soaring into another.

I have no idea how much of this the author intended. When I see hints of the Blessed Mother, the Star of the Sea, in Julia's Queen of the Sea, is that my Catholic nerdiness reading too much into things? Is all my recent obsession about learning to trust God making me see hints of that everywhere? Maybe. Or maybe Ben Hatke's a genius. I'll let you decide.

Even if you read nothing into this story, it's gorgeous and sweet and enormously fun. I think you'll love it.

This is a story about a little girl named Julia who seems to like to be in control and have a plan. As the story progresses, events start to occur that are not part of her plan and they do not go as she had ented them to go. She tries to come up with a new plan to help everyone, but then another unexpected turn of events occurs. This is a cute story that tea heads kids to be flexible and even if things don't always go the way you want them to, they can still work out fine.

Beautiful artwork with crazy creatures. An abundance of plans goes awry as Julia prepares to move her house and its creatures to a new place. Some times even our best plans don't work out and we just have to take life as it comes.

A lovely sequel to Julia's House for Lost Creatures. Once again the art is dense and wonderful, and the story is fun and inspirational. A great story about managing the waves of life.

The sequel to Julia's House for Lost Creatures, this adorable picture book fantasy sends a simple message about the importance of community, flexibility, and accepting help from others. Julia's walking house has decided that it is time to move on but that's okay because Julia has a plan for that. What will happen to Julia's belongings? Julia has a plan for that. What about the lost creatures that live with her? Julia has a plan for that too. But when Julia's plans don't work out as she had expected, she needs to find the courage to accept help from unexpected places. Hatke's text is gentle and sweet and pairs perfectly with his vibrant, entrancing watercolor illustrations. Perfect for lessons on community and flexibility. Recommended for K-5.

After seeing other reviews of this book, I was expecting to love it! But I just felt kind of meh about it. I just didn't quite get the story or deeper meaning that other reviewers talked about. The illustrations were fun and colorful, though.

Julia’s house is.restless and so are all the mythical creatures inside of it. Things start going terribly wrong. Julia has a plan, well many plans that also go wrong. This book shows that sometimes things don’t go as planned and that’s okay.

Shweta N <drshwetavn@gmail.com>
9:13 AM (6 minutes ago)
to me

Who says picture books are only for children? Though I started reading the popular titles after Ani was born, my pre baby reading did involve a few titles here and there. This genre has always been full of wisdom and simplicity.

During one such sojourn in children's literature, I met Ben Hatke's Julia. A generous, giving soul whose simple act of acceptance changed the world for better. I have since gone back to this book from time to time. It reinforces my belief in the good that still exists in the world. In small measures and in limited capacity, but it does. It helped me talk to my child about the ripple effect of kindness shown unto others. Like I said, picture books can be deceiving. They are pearls in the oyster shell. They are things of wonderment.

Today with this book, I was able to tell her and myself that it's okay to enter uncharted territories without a plan. Sometimes you've got to trust powers that be, to show you what lies ahead. It's hard not to micromanage but then best laid plans do not pan out the way we want them to. So be brave. Be an explorer. Life will surprise you.

Ben Hatke's newest book - Julia's House Moves On is a follow up to Hatke's very popular Julia's House for Lost Creatures. Creator of Zita - The Space Girl, Little Robot and Might Jack books ( all amazing thought books! )- Ben Hatke brings his trademark style of less is more story telling that instantly captures the reader's attention. My little loves the trolls, the dragons and the entire motley crew. A beautiful book with a message that warms the heart.

I love Ben Hatke, and Julia's house was a great read. I love that this book came out, I love his art and story. The house is getting restless and so are all the magical creatures. It's time to move, find a new place, and Julia has the right plan for this move. Yet nothing seems to go according to her plan, She is willing and determined to save the house and the creatures. As her plans fail, she discovers she isn't alone in wanting to save their home. The Magical Creatures feel the same way that Julia does, and they show her, they can help too.
~Goodreads

I love all of Ben Hatke’s work, and this was no exception! In the original story, Julia takes in all manner of wayward creatures. All those characters are back in this sequel that sees her house on the move...but not when and where she expects! With each of her plans going out the window, it is the creatures who band together to save her this time. I’ve always loved Hatke’s illustration style, and I love how he adds little bits of humor into the details. Take your time to really appreciate the story not just in the words, but in the pictures too!

I love this book. Another excellent story from Ben Hatke. I love his illustrations and Julia is a great character. She is a good role-model because she solves her problems logically and calmly.

This is a great sequel to the first Julia book. As always Hatke's illustrations are adorable, detailed, and full of expression.

I loved this book, there is so much to see in the illustrations and the story grabs the imagination and takes it along on Julia's journey.

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures is one of my favorite books and now we get a sequel. The house is restless and so are all the creatures inside. It’s time to move somewhere new and Julia has a plan for that. But things do not always go according to plan, but willingness to try and love, and make friends leads to some of the best outcomes. Cannot wait for book 3, which I am sure will eventually exist. Until then, this moves to the top of my favorites list right under book 1.

Julia has a plan. She has many plans. Sometimes there is no plan.
Wonderfully paced story about Julia and her house of creatures.
They need to find a new place for their house and the fun begins.
The illustrations are bright and a true part of the story. This will be
great for story times, lots of things in the pictures to talk about.

Does anyone else have a little author crush on Ben Hatke? I love absolutely everything he has written/illustrated and this one is no exception. The story is fun and sweet, the illustrations are amazing, and it encourages both preparation and letting go when you need to. I love it.

Julia's House for Lost Creatures ranks among my all time picture book favorites. Here, Julia's plans to move her home prove insufficient in the face of repeated challenges, and our kind protagonist eventually accepts first her lack of control and then help from her friends to move forward. I suspect the book will be read on several levels but it will deeply resonate with children who need a gentle reminder that sometimes life's horrible misfortunes are out of our hands.

This is a beautiful follow-up, with the suggestion that we might see Julia and her creature friends yet again.

Julia's House Moves On is a cute, short early graphic novel that all will be enchanted with, especially those who have seen her antics in other Hatke books.

I received an ARC through NetGalley from First Second. Another great picture book from Ben Hartke! Julia is back again and her house full of magical creatures is ready to move on with its goblins, trolls, mermaids, etc. but nothing is easy when you are working with magic. The illustrations are beyond fabulous and the interactivity within the pages really engages children into the world of magic as you go underwater and soar through the air. Love it! I want another story in this series. You don’t have to read them in order to have fun with them.