This is a fantastic children’s book. The best thing about this story is its vocabulary. It challenges children to learn new words and uses them in such a way that they are easy for teachers to explain. The discussion surrounding community is fantastic and the diversity within the text commendable. This book would be particularly useful in EYFS- Key stage 1 in which children are still learning about other peoples cultures and lives. I thought of about fifty lesson ideas for this book just after the first read- a sign of a truly inspiring text.

This magical adventure takes readers into the imaginations of kids seeking an escape from their boring old building. -- But as the story unfolds they discover something that we all need to be reminded of sometimes -- the very thing we seek can be found right where we are if we look for them with a different perspective and a little imagination. Great storytelling and beautiful artwork. Look forward to sharing this one!

This is an absolutely gorgeous picture book, with each page washed in color and emotion. The small details on windowsills and beneath leaves make for an engaging game of I spy while the lightly rhyming text turns an everyday building into a fantasy world of magic and connection. While it will appeal to young children and their caregivers, this picture book is also ideal for an elementary or even middle grade child who enjoys fantasy and is looking for a quick read or a book to share with a younger sibling. Perfect for any library, though libraries serving urban communities might want to purchase multiple copies as they are sure to be in demand. Thanks to NetGalley for access to this beautiful book.

This is a lovely story with a sort of modern Narnia vibe! The illustrations are so lovely and I loved the idea of the children exploring a high rise apartment building and discovering a magical place as they do. I loved the message it sent

This book was about children who live in a dark, grey apartment block who go off searching for a nicer place. Where they end up wasn’t necessarily bad, but it was enough to make them realise that home is best and they see it in a more colourful way now.

I read this to my 4 and 6 year old. I read them hundreds of books a year. I also read my daughter hundreds of books for many years too. What I would say is although the writing was beautiful and poetic - it isn’t really geared towards children. My 4 and 6 year old had no idea what some of those words were. There were also some desperate stretches to make things rhyme. That let the book down.

The illustrations are lovely and they tell the story better than the writing does. I’m not sure what age demographic this is for - but I feel it’s too advanced for younger children and possibly too short to engage older children.

The children take a fantasy journey from their home in a place so plain and dark to meet with the tree in the forest and learn to find goodness in sharing with others. The illustrations clarify and enhance the story in the way that they move from rainy big city to a magical sparkly place to the sunny and brightly colored return to the congeniality of the tenants in their building.
The illustrations by Richard Johnson are fun, evocative, appropriately colorful, and magical.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
@QuartoKids @CBCBook @Frances_Lincoln @TheQuartoGroup

The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful and I love how they go from being ordinary to whimsical and color filled. While I absolutely loved illustrations and the overall story. I was a tad disappointed in the story its self. It didn't flow as well as I feel that a children's book. I found myself having to stop many times to explain to my kids what the words meant. Over all I would recommend for an older child as it is a lovely story.

Wow. Just wow. "Our Building" is a beautiful story of imagination and childhood and remembering all the good small things. It is beautifully done. The flow of the words is engaging as are the beautiful illustrations.

I can't wait to use this book when it is released. It will be great for imagination and magical realism.

This story is full of whimsy and imagination from the poetic prose and the dreamlike illustrations. Because of the deeper analogies and abstract concepts expressed in this book, we would recommend it be used for ages 7-10 to spark conversations about the relationships between nature and man-made structures, between quieter spaces and bustling areas, and between diverse people from different backgrounds and ages. Such a lovely way for kids to have a visual representation of such important topics!

I requested this, not realising that it was Our Tower, with a new title for the US edition. I didn't get to review the UK version though so am happy to be able to do this here. This is such a lovely book. My favourite thing about it is, perhaps a bit oddly, the layout of the images. I love how they move across the page with the children as they go off on their adventure. The story does take a bit of an unexpected, almost magical turn but this feels far more ancient folklore-y and it just works.

This is a lovely story about seeing beauty in unexpected places and how sometimes, a change in perspective can transform everything.

What a magical, beautiful story book! I can't get over how stunning the art is and how it has such lovely, dreamy magical realism vibes. I like the metaphor about community. I think this may be better suited for upper elementary school students since I think it can be a little abstract, but every page is captivating.

Our Building by Joseph Coelho

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my review copy of this children's book.

I want to mention firstly that the book is credited as Our Tower on amazon UK, so I'll review it as "Our Tower" on Goodreads.

This children's book is a personal one to the author and although I greatly appreciate that, as a children's book I felt the writing was perhaps a little too advanced.

The illustrations by Richard Johnson were my favourite part of the book. They are atmospheric and magical.

The story itself shows a fantasy element and offers a unique look at children's lives growing up.

I think there will be lots of readers who will connect and throughly enjoy this book, which is available now. For me I liked the writing but more as poetry than a young children's book.

A sweet picture book with beautiful illustrations that highlights the beauty of a tree from the forest and what lies beneath while also giving a second point of view. The children discover the beauty and wonder of their own building and all that lives and thrives there.

A magical book! A modern day fairytale of sorts.

I love the beautiful illustrations and the magic as the children leave their building and venture into the trees of the forest. They’re in searching of the old singing tree they see from the building.

They discover ancient magical creatures in the realm under the old tree, and they meet the old tree himself. He gifts them a stone that has a hole through the middle. Through it they see things as they are.

The magic of the forest is just a green lovely forest, and nothing more. But their building has a magic all its own. They didn’t know and the adults have forgotten how special it truly is.

A good reminder along the lines of “the grass is always greener on the other side”. In this case, they realize the beauty of their neighbors and what truly makes their building special.

This beautifully presented work of poetry is likely to draw in both adults and children alike.

The rich adventure of the three children is captured lyrically through the prose, and is a delight to read out loud. While the language might be lost on some children, the illustrations are very accessible, and provide in depth narration as well.

The messaging about shifting perspective and the value of community is wonderful to share with children, and the diverse representation and experiences adds wonderful depth to the story. These messages are reinforced through the rich illustrations on each page which are a joy to explore.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Beautiful. The simplicity yet depth of the words is outstanding, a true master of language. Meaningful, yet accessible on many levels. The illustrations, starting at grey with little highlights of colour, and finishing a glorious riot add another layer to this beautiful book. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.

Based on the author’s personal experience, this children’s book follows three children living in an apartment as they embark on a fantastical adventure.

The illustrations in this were brilliant and I loved the magical feeling this story had. The characters were also great. The narrative was very poetic and enchanting. This is the perfect read for young readers.

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

As a retired preschool teacher and mother of seven, I have read so many children's books. I LOVE children's books! I especially love when there are beautiful illustrations, and this is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I've seen in a long time! The story is about kids who live in the city but go into the forest to find beauty and when they return to their city building, they see the beauty in it that they were missing. Beautiful book!

I requested this book on Netgalley merely from seeing the beautiful illustrations! And they did non disappoint. Each page depicts a vivid scene, whether the gloomy grey of the Building to the wonderous awe of the Tree. The story itself was a little confusing but very sweet as it teaches kids to find magic in the normal world around them, even in their concrete grey buildings. I think the writing lends itself more as a piece of poetry than a picture book for kids. I'm not sure if a young child would understand everything happening in the story.

This ebook was made available for me to read and review by Joseph Coelho, Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley.

This inviting picture book features enchanting illustrations sure to draw your little one right into this tale. This is a magical story about young children exploring the high rise apartment building they live in when they discover a magical place. This has multicultural representation for multiple cultures adding to the experience. The cute story and accompanying animated illustrations delighted even my youngest grandchild at just 2 and half years old.

Thank you to Joseph Coelho, Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.