Age: Toddler-Kindergarten

The illustrations are top notch. I love Ellis' art style, especially in this book, that provides realistic illustrations of objects with the slightly abstract illustrations of people. And like the illustrations, the homes themselves are a blend of realistic dwellings and fantastic abodes. The vocabulary is simple but with wonderfully unique (but not excessive) additions such as "wigwam" and Slovakian duchess." And the hidden brownie underneath the ice cream (cause candied cherries are gross and we need to admit that as a society if we are ever to progress) is Ellis' invitation to imagine who lives in some of the homes.