Book Review of A Home for Félix
The Children’s Book Review
A Home for Félix
Written by Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier
Illustrated by Laura Kientzler
Ages: 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Tra Publishing (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1-962098-14-4
What to Expect: Found family, adoption, belonging, loneliness, compassion, gardening, friendship.
In A Home for Félix, children’s librarian-turned-author Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier crafts a gentle, heartwarming tale about finding family in unexpected places.
This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces readers to Émile, a solitary rabbit who lives contentedly in his mountaintop home, tending his garden and gazing at stars, until a weary little bunny wanders into his garden one summer night. The narrative unfolds with quiet tenderness as Émile, “used to being alone, but [with] a big heart,” invites the exhausted little rabbit to stay and regain his strength.
As days turn to seasons, we witness the gradual blossoming of their relationship. Émile teaches his small guest to garden, recognize stars, and bake the perfect carrot cake. When the little bunny reveals he has no name, Émile thoughtfully names him Félix, meaning “luck”—a fitting choice that acknowledges the serendipitous nature of their meeting.
Kientzler’s mixed-media illustrations are a visual delight, with vibrant watercolor washes creating rich nighttime blues and daytime yellows. Her distinctive style perfectly complements the emotional journey, from Félix’s initial timidity to the final scene of contentment where “neither he nor Émile would ever be alone again.” The warmth of their developing relationship is reflected in cozy indoor scenes filled with food, flowers, and gentle domesticity.
This circular storyline resolves beautifully when Émile writes Félix’s name on the door, symbolically affirming the permanence of their connection and answering the unspoken question: “Could Félix stay? Or should he leave?” The book’s satisfaction lies in this simple gesture, transforming a temporary haven into a forever home.
A Home for Félix offers valuable opportunities to discuss adoption, chosen families, and the meaning of home. Featuring rabbit protagonists, it also makes an excellent choice for Easter-themed reading while delivering timeless lessons about compassion and belonging that resonate year-round.
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About the Author
Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier studied literature before becoming a children’s librarian in Seine-Saint-Denis and devoting herself to writing. In recent years, she has published many notable titles across a variety of French publishers.
About the Illustrator
Laura Kientzler is a picture book author and illustrator who also conducts art workshops for children. Her style is characterized by a love of small painting accidents, drawing, and paper cut-outs. She enjoys chatting about yetis and cowboys and sharing jokes, especially with kids. Originally from the Vosges region, Laura now lives in Strasbourg, where she works in a cozy studio among the trees, watching birds all day long.
