The Home We Dreamed: A Lyrical Picture Book of Family, Home, and Generations―From a Couple's First House in Communist Romania to Their Grandchild's Memories by Anca Sandu Budisan
Published by Quill Tree Books on May 26, 2026
ISBN: 006337305X
Pages: 34
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

This story was inspired by Budisan’s grandparents, who lived in oppressive, Soviet-occupied Romania, where home became both refuge and a “symbol of persistence, a quiet act of defiance.” Narrated by a grandchild, this picture book follows a Romanian couple who build a home beside a river and raise generations of family there as political, social, and environmental changes reshape the world around them. The illustrations have the appearance of a photo album and the detailed illustrations in colored pencil and watercolor are lovely. However, I think this book will appeal more to adults than children. This book could be a candidate for a picture books for middle school or as a model for researching ones own heritage and creating a photo journal.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library