New House, New Home

Megan Saben holds master’s degrees in children’s literature from Hollins University and in library science from University of Iowa, and applied them as a children’s librarian for four years. She writes for Redeemed Reader, is the author of Something Better Coming, and has served on children’s book award committees for WORLD magazine and the Virginia Library Association. Saben and her husband live in south central Virginia, where she drinks lattes, homeschools their five boys, and knits when she isn’t reading or writing. The Pope twins, Liz and Kate Pope, born and raised in Derbyshire, now live on opposite sides of Chesterfield. After both gaining first-class degrees in surface pattern from Staffordshire University, Liz and Kate began their careers as professional greeting card and book illustrators, working together to create their signature colorful and collaged style. Liz describes herself as the illustrator of the team, sketching out designs which she then gives to Kate to work up in paint, collage, and patterned paper. This mixture of illustration and design gives their charming artwork a sense of vibrancy, movement, and eclecticism. When they’re not drawing, Liz and Kate like to scour charity shops for bargains, ensuring their personal styles are just as individual as their artwork!

"From foundation pouring to appliance installation, two children observe the process of their new home being built in Saben’s architecture-centered story. 'Let’s build our house!' begins loose rhymes that go on to describe the ventilation, electrical, and plumbing work that ensues ('The stairs climb up,/ the drain lets down./ Watch out—debris and dust around!'). As the kids bide their time, their play lightly echoes varied aspects of construction: they chase papers blown by a fan as air ducts get tweaked, and assemble a puzzle while windows are inserted. The Popes’ simplistic collage-style renderings present home-building as cheerfully chaotic. When at last it’s time to move in, a closing line observes a child simultaneously celebrating a birthday, underscoring the idea that home is a gift. The protagonists are portrayed with pale skin. Closing activities encourage interaction and reflection. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)"