Your House, My House

Product Description
There's no neighborhood like a Marianne Dubuc neighborhood --- this time in an apartment building! It's a special day at 3 Maple Street. It's Little Rabbit's birthday! His mother makes him his favorite breakfast. His sister has drawn him a picture. And, best of all, he's having a birthday party! His friends are invited, his father is decorating, and his mother is baking a cake. But that's not the only thing going on at 3 Maple Street today. The Cat family is moving in upstairs ... the Fox family is having a new baby ... Mr. Owl is trying to sleep ... there's so much happening inside (and outside) this lively building, it's hard to keep track!
This multilayered picture book from international award-winning Marianne Dubuc allows readers to peer into the homes of all the charming animal families in the building on every spread. Though there is one main story, captured in the text, there are multitudes of other stories-within-the-story, told in visual narratives. Dubuc's winsome one-of-a-kind illustrations include heaps of clever details for children to pore over, promising something new to discover with every look and encouraging visual literacy in readers and prereaders. There are terrific social studies connections here on the concepts of community, inclusiveness and belonging.
From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3-In a three-story apartment building with attic space and a cut-away front like a dollhouse, readers watch as the creatures living in the seven units go about their daily routines. Except today is special: It's Little Rabbit's birthday, a family of cats is moving into one of the apartments, Momma Fox is about to deliver a baby, and Mr. Bear is sick with a cold. As an owl beds down for the day, all the critters are busy, busy, busy. The rambunctious mice children are especially fun to watch as they make one mess after another with their active play. Even Red Riding Hood, Big Bad Wolf, Goldilocks, and the Three Little Pigs make an appearance (so it helps, but is not necessary, if the reader is familiar with those stories). A simple narrative enlists readers in the main events, but there is far more going on than just what's in the the text; observant, patient viewers will be rewarded with details that amuse but also provide clues about how every family lives. The size of the illustrations, full of tiny details, make the book most appropriate for one or two to share, offering opportunities for rich discussion. There are numerous ways to enjoy the book: follow one character throughout the pages, check out the details in each apartment, notice the play and interactions of the children, or stick to the main events. VERDICT The reward is in entering the book again and again.-Maggie Chase, Boise State Univ., IDα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Dubuc's delightful domestic dramas will entertain children and adults alike.―
Kirkus Reviews
This book will prompt contented rereads and conversations about neighbors, sharing, and community.―
Publishers Weekly, starred review
... a sweet story about friendship and inclusion that can only add another interactive level to story time.―
CM Magazine
The reward is in entering the book again and again.―
School Library Journal, starred review
... this Richard Scarry-esque book, with its expressive and appealingly drawn animal characters, begs to be read multiple times.―
Horn Book, starred review
About the Author
Marianne Dubuc is an award-winning author and illustrator of many books for children, including The Bus Ride, Lucy and Company and Mr. Postmouse's Rounds. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages around the world. Marianne lives in Montreal, Quebec.