Old Blue is My Home – Perfect Picture Book Friday – Jilanne Hoffmann

Not many picture books take on the topic of housing insecurity, and some that do feel a bit didactic. Lita Judge has found a way to approach this topic in a matter-of-fact, yet gentle way.

Meet Old Blue.

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Perhaps Judge is successful because she’s writing from her own experience, one that left an indelible mark on how she approaches life.

The story opens with a series of shots on the road. A van driving. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Old Blue doesn’t go as fast as other cars,

but together, we go everywhere.

To town, to the mountains,

to a place where we can sleep under the stars

and eat warm soup before going to sleep.

Page turn…..

Old Blue is my home.

I had to sit for a minute after that page turn so I could absorb the fullness of this short statement that holds everything. They’re not on vacation. This isn’t a temporary week-long adventure. This van is her life.

Old Blue may look too small to hold everything

we need. But we have an outdoor kitchen.

And there is a shower made from a

bag of water we hang from a tree.

These are the facts of her life, presented without judgment or drama. The reader is left to absorb these observations and make of them what they will.

I’ve taken showers outside, using a solar shower bag. I’ve even taken unheated showers outside where it’s a race to scrub before you turn blue. But I always knew there would be a “real” warm shower waiting for me at the end of my camping trip. Not so here. It’s sobering to think about having no choice but to cook or “use the facilities” outside in the rain or the snow.

This child takes her family’s way of life in stride, despite the fact that when she goes to school, some of her classmates make fun of her. And “no one wants to come over to play in Old Blue.” When she’s sad, her mama cuddles with her and tries to help make her sadness less painful. This key element of the story, the family’s obvious love for one another, despite their circumstances, comes through strongly. And while the girl wishes for a forever home, she makes the best of her situation, letting her imagination soar and knowing that Old Blue will always be there to keep her safe.

The story’s language is lyrical, deceptively simple, and profound. A lesser author would have filled the page with explanations and unnecessary observations, a heavy-handedness designed to teach a lesson. I admire Judge’s elegant restraint, because it recognizes that children are perceptive and deserving of respect.

Loose, mostly earth-toned watercolors and colored pencil illustrations, give the book a cozy, loving vibe. And the blues used throughout don’t feel “sterile” or “cool,” they feel like the blues of the sky, damselflies, blue jays, cornflowers, and lupine. Nature’s vibrant and reassuring gifts of wonder.

The author’s note explains how Judge lived a nomadic life during her childhood, due to her father’s work, and describes how it shaped her journey to becoming an author-illustrator. This tender and sad story is ultimately uplifting due to the spirit of this child who didn’t let her circumstances diminish her sense of self. She knew that there was a place for her in the world, and found it. This beautiful book is a testament to the resiliency of children.

Activities:

Pair this book with The Couch in the Yard by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Dena Seiferling. Compare how these two books address growing up in home situations that aren’t usually presented in picture books.

Think about what you would do if you lived in a van. What would be the most important things you’d keep, and why? What would you name your van? Imagine being the girl in this story. Write a poem that expresses how you feel about Old Blue (or whatever name you choose to call the van).

Practice being kind. If you know or see someone who’s living in a vehicle, please don’t judge them. Food insecurity can often go along with housing insecurity. Start a food drive at your school to support your local food bank.

Title: Old Blue is My Home

Author/Illustrator: Lita Judge

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025

Ages: Pre-K through elementary school

Themes: housing insecurity, resilience, family

For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.