Castles, Caves & Honeycombs

Written by Linda Ashman, Illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2001. 978-0152022112

Reviews & Honors
  • Booklist Editors’ Choice
  • Golden Kite Honor for Picture Book Illustration
  • PBS Kids Between the Lions Recommended Book
  • Children’s Book of the Month Club Selection
  • Junior Library Guild Selection

“Beautifully crafted and satisfying.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Just right to listen to from the warm refuge of a favorite lap.” —The Horn Book

“‘There’s no place like home’ has been said many times and in many ways, but rarely so convincingly.” —Publishers Weekly

“Sweet dreams are all but guaranteed.” —Children’s Literature

About this Story

Many places make a home —
A heap of twigs.
A honeycomb.
A castle with a tower or two.
An aerie with a bird’s eye view.

So begins Castles, Caves & Honeycombs, a book I wrote as Jack and I were moving into a new home and anticipating the birth of our son, Jackson. I had just finished doing research on how animals carry their young (Babies on the Go), and — as I prepared my own “nest” — became fascinated with the many different ways animals make their homes.

When I first saw Lauren Stringer’s beautiful paintings, I got tears in my eyes. On each page, through her vibrant colors and unusual perspective, Lauren conveys the enveloping warmth and security of a loving home. Visit Lauren’s website for more about her books and gorgeous artwork.

Illustrations copyright 2001 by Lauren Stringer. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.