
Discover the hidden lives of neighbors and the magic of connection.
In a bustling apartment building, a child ponders the mysterious lives of neighbors heard but unseen. As she lies in bed, she imagines the stories behind the footsteps and whispers, wondering who these people are. Will she find the courage to bridge the gap and turn strangers into friends? This beautifully illustrated tale invites readers to explore the unseen world just beyond their walls, where a simple hello can open doors to endless possibilities. Dive into a journey of discovery and connection, where imagination blurs with reality, and every neighbor holds a story waiting to be told.
Neighbors is a contemplative picture book about the lives of our neighbors–who are all around us and ever-present, yet somehow surprisingly elusive. They’re everywhere: next door, above, and even below. More often than not, they are a mystery, a presence suggested by low hums, footfalls, or perhaps a slammed door. This book explores the ways that we think about those we exist among, but who remain strangers until we make the brave–and affirming–decision to connect. - From debut author-illustrator Kasya Denisevich- An exploration of neighbors coexisting together in one very special apartment building- Dynamic black-and-white illustrations blur the line between imagination, dreams, and reality. As Neighbors illustrates so beautifully, that moment of connection is a portal to a world of possibility. This unique book uses both visual storytelling and compelling text to consider how we map the landscape of the vast world around us, starting with the person just on the other side of the apartment wall. - Explores what it means to exist in a world of strangers, friends, and neighbors who are both alike and completely different from each other- Resonates year-round as a charming and unique gift for birthdays, holidays, and more- Perfect for children ages 3 to 5 years old- Makes a great pick for parents and grandparents, as well as librarians, teachers, and educators- Add it to the shelf with books like Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers by Stan and Jan Berenstain, and The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates.
A little girl clad in red stands out against detailed greyscale scenes as she approaches and then enters her new home: 3 Pond Lane, Building 2, Apartment 12. In her room by herself, her thoughts turn to her neighbors, and she imagines who they might be and what they might be like. At first she imagines them fairly realistically and normal—practicing a musical instrument, sitting at a dining table, watching television. Then, the musings cleverly transform from the mundane to the imaginative—a woman showering becomes a mermaid, while a family standing on shoulders to reach a high shelf becomes circus performers—until the girl envisions her neighbors disappearing altogether into an expanse of empty universe as she wonders if she is all alone. In the morning, the little girl sets off to discover the truth of who lives next door and meets a little girl in a yellow dress, and they head off to school together. With sparse text, the ink illustrations are the star of the show, featuring beautiful architectural elements in the building—note, for example, the intricate stair rail—and miniature scenes in the different apartments (though the inclusion of a woman showering and a man sitting on a toilet reading the newspaper, while tiny, will be distasteful to some readers), which are all highly detailed, if not precise. Denisevich uses touches of color to great effect, particularly as the story comes to a close, skillfully using the endpapers to bring the story full circle.
“Ink illustrations highlight the power of imagination in a new environment.”
Bookroo Editorial
Reviewed August 2020
4.3
out of 7
“Really fun ink illustrations, except even though they're small, a few include content I found objectionable for a kids book, including depicting someone showering.”
Trusted reviewer
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Top contributors: The Goodfather · Elaine R.