10 Picture Books for the Neighborhood
I want my daughter to learn to love and care for our neighbors. There are lots of things I can do as a dad to encourage and teach her this value. At the top of the list is making sure she sees me love and care for our neighbors and place. Another is to make sure I am creating ways we can, as a family, weave love and care in our neighborhood. But an often overlooked way is sharing good stories that reinforce this value. That was the catalyst for me to search out picture books that tell the stories of life in, and people caring for, their neighborhood. In no particular order, here are my ten favorites:
CITY SHAPES
Written by Diana Murray, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
From shimmering skyscrapers to fluttering kites to twinkling stars high in the sky, everyday scenes become extraordinary as a young girl walks through her neighborhood noticing exciting new shapes at every turn. Far more than a simple concept book, City Shapes is an explosion of life. Diana Murray's richly crafted yet playful verse encourages readers to discover shapes in the most surprising places, and Bryan Collier's dynamic collages add even more layers to each scene in this ode to city living.
ME, TOMA AND THE CONCRETE GARDEN
Written by Andrew Larsen, Illustrated by Anne Villeneuve.
Vincent is staying with his aunt Mimi for the summer while his mom recuperates from surgery. Mimi's drab city neighborhood, complete with an empty dirt lot across the street, doesn't seem too promising. But then Vincent meets Toma, a boy who lives nearby, and things start looking up. Mimi has a mysterious box of dirt balls in her apartment. When she asks Vincent to get rid of them, the fun Vincent and Toma have throwing them into the lot becomes the start of a budding friendship. Then one day, they notice new shoots sprouting all over the lot. Maybe those balls weren't just made of dirt after all!
LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET
Written by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
Written by F. Isabel Campoy & Theresa Howell, Illustrated by Rafael López
What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!
THE CURIOUS GARDEN
Written & Illustrated by Peter Brown
While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.
MAYBE I CAN LOVE MY NEIGHBOR TOO
Written by Jennifer Grant, Illustrated by Benjamin Schipper
This book is about a young girl who wonders how to be a good neighbor to the dozens of people in her apartment building, the people on the street, and the other kids at the park. With help from her mama, the girl discovers that all it takes is a little kindness and creativity to show love to neighbors near and far.
THE MARVELOUS MUSTARD SEED
Written by Amy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Illustrated by Margaux Meganck
Discover the surprising potential of one small seed in The Marvelous Mustard Seed. Based on Jesus’ parable of the Mustard Seed, this inspiring children’s book shows young readers that one tiny seed—just like one small child—carries a world of potential.
WALKING IN THE CITY WITH JANE: A STORY OF JANE JACOBS
Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Valérie Boivin
From the time she was a young girl, Jane Jacobs' curious mind made her a keen observer of everything around her. She realized that, just like in nature, a city is an ecosystem. "It is made of different parts—sidewalks, parks, stores, neighborhoods, City Hall . . . and people, of course. When they all work together, the city is healthy."
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
Written by Amy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Illustrated by Denise Turu
Blues and Yellows just don't mix, and that's how it's always been. No one remembers why. But then Midnight Blue takes a tumble along the road. His friends Navy and Powder Blue don't even stop to help! It's only when a Yellow comes along that everything changes…forever.
EVERYBODY COOKS RICE
Written by Norah Dooley, Illustrated by Peter J. Thornton
In this multicultural picture book, Carrie goes from one neighbor's house to the next looking for her brother, who is late for dinner. She discovers that although each family is from a different country, everyone makes a rice dish at dinnertime. Readers will enjoy trying the simple recipes that correspond to each family's unique rice dish.
Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared in slightly different form on Matthew Gillette’s blog. It’s republished here by permission.
What are some of your favorite children’s books that talk about life in the neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below or in the Strong Towns Community site.
About the Author
Matthew Gillette is a neighbor, community cultivator, and faith leader living along the Mount Vernon Corridor in Alexandria, Virginia. He views himself as an artist who is trying to weave a tapestry of love and care in his neighborhood.
He currently works for Casa Chirilagua, a nonprofit in his neighborhood, and he is reimagining what a faith community can look like in the context of his place with several neighbors.
Instagram: @matthewgilletteonline Website: matthewgillette.online
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