Published on November 9, 2021, by First Second Books, it was the recipient of a Kirkus Prize in the "Young Readers' Literature" category, receiving praise for its art and creative use of speech balloons, which was used to represent the language barriers between characters.

Becker's usage of altered speech balloons to show the characters' difficulty in understanding each other sometimes was specially praised by reviewers.

They also praised Becker's art, saying "[t]hose unfamiliar will appreciate the fluid, expressive cast, [..] and the intricately sketched scenery.

They noted how both the main and side characters are "well developed, with complex, heartstring-tugging backstories," and concluded by saying "this work exemplifies what the graphic novel format can achieve.

"[4] In 2022, Himawari House was the recipient of a Kirkus Prize in the "Young Readers' Literature" category, with the judges calling it a "remarkable mastery of graphic novel conventions and its perceptive exploration of emotionally resonant, evergreen themes relating to family, friendship, and identity.