An illustrated love letter to Somerville, MA if ever there was one, but this book lends itself to any area that has that neighborhood feel--where you may not know everyone who lives on your block, but you feel a community and kinship with them regardless.

Denos's prose is poetic, descriptive, and concise, cozy even. A favorite line, paired with a darkened and shuttered house in an overgrown part of the neighborhood: "Other[ window]s are empty and leave you to fill them up with stories."

Share with little ones to point out what people are doing in the windows and to pour over the detailed endpapers.