When Lester (who looks about seven) is adopted by Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert, there’s a long period of adjustment for all of them. Even though they had known they would be a family for a while, it’s different when Lester moves from the children’s center into his new, permanent home. He refuses to unpack his small blue suitcase of action figures, but every night Lester takes one of them into his dads’ room and stands next to their bed, hoping he’ll be invited to sleep between them. And every night his dads lead him back to his own bed. It takes time—and talking—for all of them to understand one another, and for Lester to realize he’s truly home at last. An author’s note indicates that Williams had written the text and started the sketches for the book, then asked Chris Raschka to collaborate on the art when she realized she wouldn’t live long enough to complete it. The resulting artwork shows an inherent sense of unity, as well as the distinctive and recognizable styles of both artists. (Ages 6–10)

A poignant, timely, and universal picture book about fear, adoption, family, and the joy of fatherhood, written by beloved and award-winning author Vera B. Williams and illustrated by the author in collaboration with two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka.

After Lester is adopted by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, he develops a big problem—he can't fall asleep. Night after night he creeps into his parents' room and attempts to crawl in between his two daddies, confident that if he's with them and their dog, Wincka, nothing bad will happen to him ever again. But every night, Lester's new dads walk him back to his own room, hoping that eventually Lester will get used to the new house and his new family and feel as though he belongs. They buy him a bike and take him for ice cream. They make cocoa and introduce him to his cousins. But no matter how happy Lester seems during the day, he still gets scared and worried at night! It's the sweet dog Wincka who finally solves the problem when she climbs into Lester's bed and promptly falls asleep, serving as both his pillow and his protector. Lester feels home at last.

Vera B. Williams died on October 16, 2015, while still working on this book with her dear friend and fellow artist Chris Raschka. Chris Raschka's astonishing and glorious full-color paintings are based on sketches by Vera B. Williams and honor both her spirit and her intent. Home at Last is a universal, timely, and timeless book about the right of all children to belong someplace safe.