Apartments are homes for millions of children around the world. It wasn’t until I lived in an apartment in New York City with my twins that I realized how little this is depicted in children’s books. Picture books, and show and movies for that matter, typically show childhood in a house. I started searching for good children’s books that showed life in an apartment.
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1. Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
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I love this book for so many reasons but for the purposes of this list, it seamlessly weaves in life in an apartment. The lugging of things up stairs, window sill gardens, the view of the neighborhood below all beautifully depicted.
2. Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
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As much as I rave about the Elephant and Piggie series, this is the story that first made me love Willems’ work. I naturally think everyone should read it, but it fits perfectly with this list. I love that this series of stories captures the every day urban life in New York City. Many apartment dwelling kids can relate to carting clothes down the block and to the laundromat.
3. Corduroy by Don Freeman
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This classic story is just the sweetest of sweets, but if you’ll remember at the end the little girl races up four flights of stairs to her apartment. The department store with its many escalators also reminds me so much of the storied shops throughout big cities. A wonderful book for anyone but likely to hold a special spot for kids who want their own little bears for their apartment bedrooms.
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4. Bright Sky Starry City by Uma Krishna Swami
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Can you see the stars in the city? Phoebe wants to see Saturn and Mars up in the sky, but she’s worried all the buildings and bright lights will get in the way. Fortunately, her dad has a plan. The author and illustrator wonderfully balance dreamy illustrations highlighted with pastel chalk with a great story and interesting information for the budding astronomer.
5. The Bear’s Garden
by Marcie Colleen
illustrated by Alison Oliver
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This story is a delight. A little girl’s imagination and belief is the start of a neighborhood garden. A wonderfully written story about how simple acts can make a difference. A gorgeously illustrated book that brings the city and the girl’s gentle hope to life. It’s quiet and sweet, but with well paced suspense and page turns. Definitely one you can share aloud.
6. Lily’s New Home by Paula Yoo
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My twins could relate so well to this story when we first moved to New York City. Lilly’s family moves to the city and she isn’t sure what she thinks about this new home with no front yard and no flowers. Together with her parents she explores the city and starts to see how this place could feel like home too. This is an emergent reader, perfect for early elementary schoolers.
7. Here I Am by Patti Kim
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This gorgeous wordless book tells the story of a boy adapting to life in his new country. While written with immigrants in mind, I think it also appeals to kids new to a big city and apartment life. The different sounds, the cramped quarters, and the need to figure out where you fit. You can easily get swept away by the whimsical illustrations that carry you through this remarkable journey.
8. Busy Bunny Days In the Town, On the Farm, & At the Port by Britta Teckentrup
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A tantalizingly detailed book. Teckentrup has woven in practice with clock reading, look and find questions to answer and so many little things to look at on each page. This book isn’t solely about apartments but a big building is featured in the first section. I also love how city life, farm life, and seaside life are contrasted and compared. I recommend this one for older preschoolers and up.
9. The New Neighbors by Sarah McIntyre
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What will an apartment building bursting with animals think when rats move in downstairs? I love how this book plays with the ideas of misconceptions and gossip in a romping format. As the animals tumble downstairs to meet those new neighbors their excitement and concerns grow. Without imposing judgement or preaching lessons, McIntyre shares a playful story your kids will want to read again and again that encourages conversation about assumptions. The illustrations are full of humor and spunk, while the writing offers energy and character. A great book to read aloud.
10. Our Big Little Place
by James A. Conan
illustrated by Nicolle LaLonde
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A simple, sweet story about a little boy who loves where he lives, even though his parents think it is small. I love that he sees all of the good and even on a rainy day when he gets bored, he thinks of creative ways to have fun. Having raised two busy kids in an apartment, I appreciate the imagination this sometimes takes but also the good things about having friends close and the world just outside your door. This is a warm book about family and imagination and loving where you are. The text is concise and lends well to being read aloud. The illustrations reflect the great diversity so present in most major cities. Together the pictures and words celebrate childhood in the city.
11. Esme’s Birthday Conga Line
by Lourdes Heuer
illustrated by Marissa Valdez
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Esme lives “on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building!” This heroine shines with her confidence, pluck and friendly leadership. She lives with her grandparents who are wonderful, but didn’t realize that little girls like to have parties on their birthday. No problem! Esme is going to throw one for herself and along the way she gets her entire apartment building involved. This is written and illustrated with vibrant energy. The text has lovely repetition that is supportive of newer readers, fun onomatopoeia, and engaging plot. I love the way Esme solves her own problem with creativity and determined problem solving. The illustrations are equally delightful with tons of vibrancy, energy and expressive characters. A great books for kids who are building confidence in their reading.
12. No Jumping on the Bed!
by Ted Arnold
This is a classic apartment story. A little kid is jumping on the bed, despite his father’s warning, and it’s immensely fun until the bed falls through the ceiling into the neighbor’s apartment below. This is a playful story full of jokes and humor that are timeless. A fun book to read aloud.
EXTRA: The Vanderbeeker Series by Karina Yan Glaser
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I love this series. It reminds me of the ALL OF A KIND FAMILY series from when I was a kid or the wonderful PENDERWICKS family. This is a chapter book series set in modern day Harlem, New York City. It is about a large mixed race family living in a three apartment brownstone. Their adventures and relationships and neighbors are so sweet and funny and feel like real life at it’s finest. I got halfway through the first one, paused, ordered the next one online, and then kept reading. That’s how much I loved it. The VANDERBEEKERS OF 141ST STREET is the first one and there are currently 4 in the series – the newest being released in September of 2020.
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