Taking the Long Way Home

By Jake Hope and Brian Fitzgerald

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Jake, the author of Lola Loves Walking and Cheesed Off!, is an active reviewer and a passionate advocate for libraries, books and reading. Brian has illustrated numerous books and won the Bologna Fair International Silent Book Competition in 2014. In Taking the Long Way Home they have created a charming way of encouraging children to look at things in a different more imaginative way.

Zarah groans when her uncle picks her up from school and suggests taking ‘the long way home’. She hates long walks. As they plod along the pathways hearing ‘the crunch and scrunch’ of leaves underfoot, and later when they are deep in the dark of the woods Zarah drags behind. But Uncle Jerome finds such imaginative ways to enliven their walk –  they have to duck to avoid pterodactyls, skip across stepping stones to escape from crocodiles, and they even discover a yeti footprint that gradually Zarah starts to enjoy herself, and lets herself open up to the imaginative opportunities offered by a long walk home.

Being open to new ways of doing things is an important message gently delivered here  with the emphasis firmly on imaginative fun. Brian’s colourful and relaxed artwork also adds a lively touch.

For children aged 3 to 6.

New South Books 2025

Jake Hope

Brian Fitzgerald