The Apartment House on Poppy Hill V01 by Nina LaCour is part Part Pippi Longstocking and part Mary Poppins. It is about a young girl, Ella, who knows everything there is about the apartments in her house on the hill. Like it is not on the top or the bottom of the hill, but in the middle. She knows the strict rules for the garden. How to park on the hill (even though she is only nine). And that the house has five apartments, A to E and each one has its own special tennant. Plus she knows the ins and outs of the quirks of each apartment. However, that is only for apartments B to E.
Let me explain, Apartment B are her neighbors, a nice couple who were married two years ago. They have two dogs and Ella occasionally walks them to help out. Apartment C she shares with her two moms (one more practical and the other a dreamy artist). Apartment D has Matilda who has the hobby of giving Ella gifts and marking time with a very loud instrument. And E is empty, or at least until the newly engaged couple moves in. But Apartment A has the mysterious older couple The Robinsons. None have really seen them or their apartment. Their place is right above Ella’s but she never hears footsteps or a toilet flush.
That is, until the day Ella needs a little help and the Robinsons miraculously provide it. Then, for the next two years, Ella leaves notes for the Robinsons in their section of the garden. And one day her greatest wish comes true, the Robinsons wish to meet Ella!
Sònia Albert illustrations are easy images that highlight the important areas of the story. They are quick, but fun and they show us the craziness of Ella and her “adopted” and diverse family. We are given a slice of life with each person in the house. There are two same sex couples, Leo and Cleo, a young “hipster” couple, and a free-spirit. Then of course, the Robinsons, an older couple who have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Though available, I read this via an online reader copy.
