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From the Book Club: Finding Home in Unexpected Places

Inspired by The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune


A copy of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” rests on a table, with workshop participants engaged in conversation and activities in the softly blurred background. The scene captures a warm, inviting vibe centered around community and storytelling.
A book about belonging, surrounded by a circle that made everyone feel it

At Stories of Hope, our book circles are less about literary analysis and more about connection — with each other, and with ourselves. In our recent session, we dove into the whimsical and heartwarming world of The House in the Cerulean Sea, a story that gently unpacks themes of found family, acceptance, and what it means to truly belong.

And yes — you could join in even if you hadn’t read the book.




A Little Magic to Begin With

We kicked off with a light-hearted icebreaker: participants drew magical abilities from a bowl — “healing with hugs,” “talking to books,” “changing colors like a chameleon.” It set a whimsical tone and reminded us how imagination can break barriers.

A wooden table filled with vibrant, illustrated cue cards featuring imaginary magical abilities like "Talking to books," "Time travel," and "Turning anything into chocolate." Cups of coffee, a book, and a participant’s hands are visible, suggesting a cozy and playful atmosphere.
Our icebreaker? Drawing magical abilities and sharing how we’d use them in everyday life. Whimsy unlocked.

From Story to Self

As we explored the book’s themes — found family, acceptance, and belonging — we invited everyone to reflect on moments in their lives or favourite shows that mirrored these ideas.The question “Is ‘normal’ overrated?” sparked honest, emotional conversation about difference and identity.


Activity Spotlight: Designing Our Own Cerulean Sea

In the story, the Cerulean Sea is a metaphor for sanctuary. We invited participants to create their own version of this — through drawing or writing.


They imagined places where:

  • Everyone glows when they feel loved

  • You can talk to the moon when you're lonely

  • Books whisper their stories directly to you

  • The only rule is kindness


One person described a house that rearranges itself to match your mood.Another drew a treehouse in the clouds that only appears when you’re truly at peace.

It was tender. It was magical.

And it made us realize: sometimes, what we long for already exists in pieces — within us.



Four-photo collage of participants engaged in a creative activity during a Stories of Hope workshop. Some are sketching and writing on custom worksheets, one participant smiles while holding up their drawing, and another appears deep in thought while working on their sheet.
It’s not just an activity. It’s a doorway into who we are and what we need.

Sometimes books aren’t just stories — they’re invitations. To pause. To share. To imagine something better.


If you’ve been looking for a place to be your full, weird, wonderful self — we’ve saved you a seat.

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