Red is Home

Red is Home Synopsis

Red the dog lives in two different places with members of his family. There are things he does to feel safe in each home, but on Monday one of those homes will change.

How will he cope when things are no longer the same?

In this rhyming text we are introduced to Red. Red lives in two homes and has special things he does in each to make him feel happy. But Monday is moving day, and Red is nervous. What if the new house isn’t like the old one? What if he can’t do the same things? However, Red discovers that whilst he may not be able to do what he used to at the old house, it’s not the place that makes his home but the people he shares it with.

Red is Home helps parents and children discuss what ‘home’ means to them, whilst also presenting an unconventional family structure and the opportunity for children from blended families to see their experiences and emotions explored in a picture book.

In addition, its inclusion of characters from different races and ethnicities and from the LGBTQ+ community represents the diversity of the UK and the range of family structures that exist.

Emma Bettridge talks about the inspiration of this book, saying, ‘My ex-girlfriend’s son Joseph has had a huge impact on my life, I’ve known him from a very young age and was fortunate to have lots of excellent adventures with him. He was five when I got my dog Red, and both Red and Joe are very energetic and bouncy beasts and so the bond struck up between Joseph and Red inspired Red is Home.’

Josephine Birch talks about her illustrations, saying, ‘To illustrate the book, and get a feeling for who Red was and why he felt the way he did, I drew on my own childhood experience of a single-parent home, step-parents that came and went, and on my experience now as a step-parent. Red is a really joyful character, but his energy spills over sometimes when he becomes anxious.

As a kid, I was diagnosed with ADHD, so I tried to channel that energy into Red. He needs to bounce and let off steam physically, but he needs safety, routine and comfort to settle, just as most of us do. I love the character of Red; he’s well rounded and real.’