The anthem to the joys of education is a common picture book genre (or at least common among the picture books that libraries tend to acquire) and often produces flows of slightly surreal illustrations that are, at the very least, interesting uses of the picture book format even when they aren’t fully coherent. This is the first time I’ve seen the object of praise being homeschooling, and the book does not disappoint.

O’Callaghan’s gouache, watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are skillful while also having a totally unique texture to them. The pictures are whimsical while still always being grounded, and it could be argued that O’Callahan’s background in murals is showing to best advantage in their dynamic flow and many fun details.

There are only two small critiques that could be leveled at this book. The first is that there are many pages where Adamson’s words feel unnecessary against O’Callahan’s pictures, making one perhaps wish she had put a bit more poetic flair into her text. But absolutely perfect word-picture balance in a picture book is so rare it seems almost petty to make this a critique.

The second critique is more highly subjective (from someone who was homeschooled for 13 years): the nameless brother and sister who star in the book seem to be having an unrealistically well-stocked and well-financed homeschooling experience. They are shown experiencing everything from rent a bench maker spaces to petting zoos, and to be in possession of everything from metal detectors to field microscopes to dragon costumes, with the brother being able to use his own laptop despite being apparently a preteen. While this does serve to show the breadth of homeschooling activity, that might have been better shown by portraying a variety of families. As it stands, the perhaps inadvertent impression is that the family of the book either has unprecedented access to scientific equipment or is independently wealthy.

This book is maybe overly eager to lay out the whole range of homeschooling possibilities all at once, but it makes it’s attempt in a beautiful and enjoyable manner.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What a great ode to homeschooling and all the wonders it possesses!

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This picture book celebrates homeschooling from a child's point of view, and it has lovely, soft illustrations. Even though homeschooling has grown in popularity greatly over the years and has become more mainstream, it is still extremely rare to find children's books with realistic representations of homeschooling. Because of that, this book fills in an important gap, and it will appeal to families who want to see themselves and their education experiences in a picture book.

However, the book itself isn't particularly spectacular. I really like the illustrations and the overall message, but this felt a bit long and repetitive, since it doesn't have a storyline. Also, the refrain of "I'm free to be me!" is neither grammatically correct nor really explained within the book. Homeschooling provides wonderful freedom for kids to be themselves and pursue their interests, but some of the activities represented in this book are things that kids in traditional schools will also do, even if it's not on the same timeline or with the same amount of flexibility. This book would have been stronger if it had highlighted more specifically unique aspects of homeschooling throughout.

A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool? Allow me to write thank you letter to Deb Adamson for this book! As a homeschool mom, it was so nice to read a book that my kids can see themselves as apart of. Something I have always considered is how my kids would be limited if they attended public school, and it is so nice to see homeschool presented in such a positive way. It truly does open doors to so many non traditional learning opportunities. I would recommend this to EVERY homeschooling parent. I won’t be shutting up about this one for a while. While it is a book for children, it is something I needed as well.

Thanks you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Kids, Airin O’ Callaghan and of course the wonderful author of this masterpiece, Deb Adamson.

This inspiring book celebrates the joy and wonder of homeschooling, highlighting the freedom and fun that comes with home education. The illustrations showcase children from diverse backgrounds engaging in various activities with the support of parents, grandparents, and teachers, making each page a thrilling discovery. Secular homeschoolers will appreciate the book's inclusive and non-religious approach, which stays true to the spirit of homeschooling. It's a thoughtful gift for children who are already homeschooling or will be soon, conveying the message that homeschooling is a gateway to endless adventures and opportunities for growth.

I loved homeschooling my six children, which allowed us to travel to China three times. This experience also enabled us to adopt three special-needs children, resulting in a lifetime of learning and love. Now, I'm proud to see my graduates thriving in various careers, including as linemen, professional woodworkers, teachers, National Park employee, and a mom.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Sourcebooks Kids through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I don’t like this book. I guess the message is OK. However, it makes it seem like this child wouldn’t get many of the same things they get by being homeschooled. It makes everything out to be fun and games rather than educational. Especially the double refrain of I’m free to be me. I don’t disagree with homeschooling in general, but by saying I’m free to be me. I disagree with that line. Being homeschooled doesn’t always introduce kids to different people and different cultures to truly figure out who they are. Many times, it makes them ape their parents and instead of being free to be me they are a mini me. So, this book is OK but not when I will ever read again.

The wonder and joy of homeschooling is on full display in this unique book that celebrates the freedom and fun that home education has to offer. Children of all shapes, sizes, abilities, and colors are depicted in many places doing different activities with the help of parents, grandparents, and teachers. The illustrations make each page pop with excitement and possibilities. Secular homeschoolers will appreciate the non religious nature of this book while staying true to the heart of what homeschooling is all about. The perfect gift for the child in your life who is already learning at home, or soon will be. I give it an A+!
Homeschool is not just at home or in a classroom.
It takes me on adventures—
Here. There. Everywhere.
I'm thankful for all the ways homeschool helps me grow.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Sourcebooks Kids through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

if you are a homeschool family looking to read more picture books that your children can relate to the environment this book would be a great for ages 3-7

This is such a sweet book about homeschooling. The illustrations are adorable. I loved the whimsy and colors used throughout. The text was fun and engaging. I think a lot of families that homeschool will find this book relatable.

What a sweet picture book about the joys of homeschooling! One thing I have noticed over my years of homeschooling my own children is that there are not a lot of picture books about kids who are homeschooled. This book changes that narrative for sure, and I can’t wait to have a copy in our home library!

I smiled throughout this entire book and can’t wait to share this with friends and my followers on Instagram!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-book of this sweet read in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

my kids and i loved this one. as a homeschool family, this book was so sweet and so spot on. i will definitely be looking into purchasing

This is an awesome book that is written really well for homeschooled kids. It's not often that one sees a kids' book written for this specific group, and it makes me very happy to see it! The author did a really great job of touching on numerous different aspects of homeschool life, without being overly specific. This is good because it allows readers to feel seen, but also allows them to connect it really well to their own experiences. If this book was super specific, there would be a disconnect and a decrease in relatability. Lastly, the illustrations were stunning! I loved the amount of detail in each illustration - it makes for a very rich reading experience that is full of emotion and life. Additionally, the coloring had a kind of "childlike" or "crayon" finish to them, which is perfect for a kids' book.

4 Stars ✨

Children’s Fiction

**Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this advanced reader copy of, A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool, in exchange for an honest review.**

Sweet story dedicated to those who homeschool. Homeschooling is definitely a blessing and I love how the book is told from a child’s pov, going through all the reasons they are thankful to be able to do school at home and all the joy it brings. The illustrations were bright and catch the reader’s attention. Would definitely recommend for a young child in, or embarking on, the homeschooling journey.

As a homeschool family, this book hit the mark for us. A beautiful homage to the loving gift that is homeschooling, The illustrations accompanying the text are so sweet and show the family in a variety of situations and places that my family could really relate to. My kids loved this book! A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool would be a great gift for a homeschooling family or one considering homeschooling.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Kids for gifting my family with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley! What a great book for kids about homeschooling. This is the first children’s book I’ve seen that talks about homeschool. The illustrations are cute and help add the message of the book

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. A lovely thank you letter to the amazing thing that Homeschool is for many kids.

What a special book! I grew up homeschooled and I've never seen a children's book about being homeschooled or that accurately showed what it's like to be homeschooled! The illustrations in this book are beautiful and charming. I would recommend this book to any homeschooling family, people who grew up homeschooled, or are considering homeschooling. This book was definitely needed, and I'm so glad it was written!

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was adorable! Just read it with my son, who is homeschooled, and he loved it too. It captures the magic and freedom of homeschool with the words, and the illustrations are colorful and fun!

This was a cute children's book about homeschooling and a great read to my son who I'm considering to homeschool. He enjoyed it and said he couldn't wait to homeschool. The art was really stunning and captured homeschooling perfectly.