Growing Home by Beth Ferry is a charming story about the pets at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive discovering the true meaning of friendship and home. Ivy, a beloved houseplant, is adored by Jillian Tupper, the daughter of the family, who showers her with love and attention—much to the dismay of the actual family pet, Toasty the goldfish. Toasty believes he should be Jillian’s favorite, not Ivy.
Toasty’s jealousy only grows when Jillian surprises Ivy with another plant: Ollie, a sweet violet who loves to sing and befriend everyone. Soon after, Arthur, a wise and curious spider, arrives. Having broken his legs, Arthur must stay at Ramshorn until he recovers. With more “rivals” in the house, Toasty becomes increasingly frustrated by the competition for Jillian’s affection.
Out of irritation, Toasty splashes the plants with water from his tank—unaware that doing so gives them magical powers. It turns out Toasty’s fishbowl is no ordinary tank, but a magical object created by an alchemist and imbued with powerful magic. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could cause great harm. So when a mysterious man begins snooping around, Toasty, Ivy, Arthur, and Ollie must put aside their differences to protect their home and the family they all love.
This book is a delightful and heartwarming read. The black-and-white illustrations are charming and well done. The story strikes a great balance of humor and heart, and it’s a joy to watch each character grow and find their voice while working together. It’s a wonderful story for young readers, with gentle lessons about friendship, family, and belonging. I’d gladly read more books by the author.
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