A Home for Margaret

Book Genre:

Picture Books

Audience:

ages 3 to 6 / grades K to 1

Written by

Denise Davy

Illustrated by

Bérengère Delaporte

Book Description
Home for Margaret tells the heartfelt story of a young girl named Emma who discovers a woman named Margaret living in a tent in the forest. As Emma learns from her mother, a social worker, about homelessness and its causes, she becomes an agent of empathy and kindness. With thoughtful gestures throughout the winter—gifts, food, and compassion—Emma builds a relationship with Margaret. The story ends with hope, as Margaret finds a safe place to live and is visited by Emma and her mom, who helped her along the way.

This story is inspired by the real Margaret Jacobson and uses compassion, honesty and care to introduce young children to the realities of experiencing homelessness.
Pre-Reading Activities/ Oral Language
What Makes a Home?
Invite students to share what “home” means to them. Use prompts such as: “What do you love most about your home?” and “Can a home be more than just a building?” Chart students’ responses to refer back to after reading.
Pre-Reading Activities/ Make Predictions, Visual Elements
Visual Clues and Predictions
Show students several illustrations from the book (without reading the text). Ask them to predict what the story might be about. Who are the characters? What might be happening? What emotions are they feeling?
Pre-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Making Connections
Meet Denise Davy
Share a brief biography of Denise Davy and her real-life connection to Margaret. Explain how authors sometimes write books inspired by true stories.
Pre-Reading Activities/ Vocabulary Acquisition
Vocabulary Preview
Introduce terms like homeless, shelter, kindness, and empathy. Use visuals and examples to help students understand these complex concepts in age-appropriate ways.
Pre-Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Integrated Learning
Seasons and Nature
Discuss the seasons mentioned in the book and what changes they bring. Have students recall or describe what the forest might look like in each season.
During Reading Activities/ Making Connections
Text-to-Self
Pause during reading and ask: “Have you ever helped someone or wanted to help?” Invite brief partner discussions or journal responses.
During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Visual Elements
How Does She Feel?
Focus on illustrations of Margaret. Ask students to describe how she might feel based on her facial expressions, posture and surroundings.
During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy
I Wonder …
Encourage students to ask “I wonder” questions as the story progresses. For example, “I wonder why Margaret doesn’t want to stay at the shelter?”
During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy
Snow and Sounds
Identify passages that describe the forest, snow and sounds. Discuss how these help set the mood of the story.
During Reading Activities/ Character Development
Emma’s Journey
Create a chart of Emma’s actions throughout the story. Track how she grows in understanding and kindness.
Post-Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Visual Elements
Beginning, Middle, End
Students retell the story using sentence strips or by drawing scenes. Emphasize story structure and key events.
Post-Reading Activities/ Character Development, Writing
Writing with Empathy
Have students write a letter to Margaret, expressing their thoughts or offering encouragement.
Post-Reading Activities/ Making Connections
Helping Hands
Brainstorm ways your class can help others in your local community (e.g. food drive, winter coat collection).
Post-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Visual Elements
What Did We Learn?
Discuss the main message of the book. Create a class mural with messages of hope and kindness.
Post-Reading Activities/ Vocabulary Acquisition
Words That Matter
Revisit the vocabulary introduced before reading. Have students create illustrated word cards or mini-posters.
Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
Warm Messages
Color a mitten or scarf with a kind message for someone who needs warmth.
Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
Acting Class
Act out parts of the story with classmates, especially the scenes where Emma helps Margaret.
Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
Arts and Crafts
Make bird feeders to hang outside, inspired by Emma feeding chickadees.