Homer: Ancient Greek author of literature’s greatest story about the longing for home and the journey to get there.

Homer: A baseball player’s ultimate goal — hit the ball far and quickly return home.

Homer: A wise dog who sits on the porch and watches the world go by, happy to be where he most truly belongs. Home.

In Elisha Cooper’s marvelous and inspiring new children’s book, the other dogs and their human folk are in a state of constant motion. They run on the beach, swim, visit the market, shuck corn. Homer, always invited, prefers to say put. “No, no,” he tells them. “I’m fine right here.” And there he sits, looking out at the ocean, sniffing the air.

The others return with glorious reports. “The waves were big and wild! We got so many good things to eat.” Dad steps out of the kitchen to ask if he needs anything. Homer, surrounded by friends, family and the deep blue sea, has a simple reply.

“No, I have everything I want.” Imagine that.