ALA Booklist (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

The only cat on a cargo ship, Vincent enjoys eating fresh fish, chasing seagulls, and napping as they crisscross the seas, delivering chocolate from Zanzibar to Norway, and oranges from Florida to Iceland. One day, he hears the crew speak longingly of home and wonders where home is. When they finally arrive at their home port, Vincent ventures off the ship to explore and discovers that home is "where the people who love you are." He wanders alone until the ship's captain finds him and takes him . . . home. The nicely worded text is matter-of-fact about Vincent's life aboard the ship, which will seem exotic to children, and his ignorance of life on land, which is exotic to him. Created in pen and ink with watercolor washes, the illustrations include varied seascapes and intriguing city scenes with details for children to enjoy. A double-page world map, with dotted lines indicating the ship's voyages, invites kids to trace its route from port to port. A well-crafted picture book with a simple, heartfelt theme, delivered with a refreshing lack of sentimentality.

Horn Book

Cat Vincent has lived his whole life aboard a busy cargo ship. One day, he ventures ashore searching for "home" and realizes it's "where the people who love you are." This sea-set story's apt watercolor medium contrasts bright colors with the ocean's watery blues and greens and the smoky gray and purple night sky. The readable text is spare and honed, with an appropriately bracing pace and tone.

Kirkus Reviews

A seafaring cat learns the meaning of home.Vincent, an orange cat with wide eyes, is capable of complex thought but not otherwise anthropomorphized. He enjoys life aboard a cargo vessel but is curious about the sailors' oft-voiced longing for "home." So he decides to follow one of them off the ship so that he can find out just where Home is and what all the fuss is about. The Bagleys include subtle visual clues that although he's unaware of it, Vincent has a fine home already. From the name of the ship (Domus) to the appearance of the cheerfully whistling white captain in the background to Vincent's admission that the captain's cabin is his "favorite place," the evidence suggests that if "Home is where the people who love you are," then Vincent need search no longer. As in previous titles, an idea that could come across as saccharine benefits from a straightforward text and matter-of-fact tone. The expansive setting allows for a range of engaging scenes, from a charmingly old-fashioned-looking world map to hillside towns, tropical islands, icy landscapes, and starry nights at sea. Realistic pen-and-watercolor illustrations vary in size and placement and effectively combine soft textures and crisp lines.This quiet exploration will leave readers and listeners with a cozy sense of connection and belonging while also acknowledging the thrill of new vistas. (Picture book. 4-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Spouses Jessixa Bagley (Boats for Papa) and Aaron Bagley (Rocking Fatherhood) collaborate on a story set on a container ship that sails the world-s oceans. -I can-t wait to get home,- says the first mate. -Whenever I go home, I never want to leave,- adds the cook. -Where is this Home place?- wonders Vincent, the freighter-s cat. Vincent soon understands, when the ship docks and he follows the sailors to their houses, watching as their loved ones greet them. -Home is where the people who love you are,- Vincent realizes. Maybe he doesn-t have a home, he worries-until the freighter-s concerned captain finds him and brings him to back to the ship (cleverly named the Domus). The Bagleys- pen-and-watercolor spreads offer all kinds of visual information: views of Vincent-s changing emotions, portraits of the crew members, and sweeping vistas of coastal scenery. Families and homes don-t all look alike, the Bagleys conclude, but they are equally valuable. A bonus: setting this domestically focused tale aboard a ship draws transport-loving readers into conversations about the inner lives of the people who make them go. Ages 4-6. Agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow Literary. (Feb.)

School Library Journal (Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

PreS-Gr 1 Victor, a well-traveled cat living aboard a cargo ship has seen the world. Though "his paws had never touched land," he has been to an impressive list of destinations such as Zanzibar, Greece, Norway, and Iceland. As the ship docks briefly in each locale to load or unload goods, Victor enjoys taking in the sights of a new city from afar. However, he longs to visit the one place the ship had not traveled: Home. Crew members speak fondly of going Home and missing it. Victor wants to see and experience Home for himself. One day, the ship pulls into port accompanied by cheers from the crew. Victor can hardly contain his excitement as he follows a crew member through the streets. To his confusion, it looks like every other place he has visited. As he roams the city streets and sees people and families spending time together, his understanding of Home changes. Using rich shades of primary colors, images of the ship, seaside and various city landscapes awaken this delightful story of discovery. VERDICT A sweet and tender exploration of the meaning of home. A fine read-aloud to share one-on-one and with a small group. Maegen Rose, Collegiate School Library, New York City