Very Far Away

A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling with the arrival of a new sibling or feeling ignored during the busy routines of home life. Martin, the young protagonist, decides that since his mother is too busy with the new baby to notice him, he must find a place very far away where things are different. He packs his things and sets off on a whimsical journey that captures the intense, sometimes lonely feelings of childhood displacement. While the story explores themes of jealousy and the desire for independence, it does so with Maurice Sendak's signature humor and imaginative flair. It is a gentle, developmentally appropriate look at the big emotions of a preschooler or early elementary student. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's feelings of being overlooked without being heavy-handed, ultimately showing that even when we dream of leaving, home is a place of comfort and belonging.