Your House, My House, written and illustrated by marianne dubuc. Kids Can Press, 2020. $19.95 ages 3 and up

 

"Little Rabbit adds candies to the top of his
cake. When he's done, all he'll have left to 
do is wait for his guests! Who will arrive
first?  he wonders."

Oh, what an apartment building to visit! The cut-away spreads allow readers to see exactly what is happening for the families living within its walls. There are three full floors and an attic for their viewing pleasure. The main floor's two apartments are occupied; the larger one with a family of rabbits easing into an early morning; the smaller one by a mama hedgehog and her baby waiting for the day papa will be home again. On the middle floor, readers will note the bear occupying the larger apartment is in bed with a cold, and the foxes in the other are awaiting the arrival of a baby. The third floor has one empty apartment (those carefully scanning the page will see who's moving in today), and the other is filled with mice -a mama, a papa and three sleeping babies. A darkened interior in the attic shows it as a storage space; on the other side, a skylight allows a peek at what looks like a studio apartment awaiting the arrival of an approaching owl. 

After taking a careful look at this first detailed page, the reader is anxious to move forward. Whether trying to see what is happening in each apartment again or choosing to watch one family at a time, there is an opportunity to spend a lot of time in looking, thinking and discussing the various scenarios. Bear's cheeks get more and more flushed, until there is the need for a doctor visit. the fox parents leave their little one with the neighbors as they leave for the hospital. The cats continue the work of moving into a new home. The owl prepares for a good day's sleep. 

It is a place filled with friendship, kindness, and never-ending activity. It's not all about what is going on inside the building. There are small stories taking place outside as well. Kids who have knowledge of fairy tales will see some familiar characters as they pay unexpected visits. Those devilish three mice in the apartment below his studio cause a sleep disturbance for the owl, but he mostly manages to sleep through the chaos. He is ready to be up and out as everyone else is settling in for a rest after a long, eventful day.   

This is signature artwork for Ms. Dubuc. She is brilliant with creating small scenes in a pastel palette. Her families and characters will delight young readers and provide opportunities for a number of repeat visits.