In this article, Becka White argued that children’s fiction should embrace socioeconomic - and therefore housing - diversity, as well as diversity around sex, race and disability. Here, she offers a reading list of books set in flats.
Here are some books that show life in a flat, but which aren’t about life in a flat. Most of the titles I’ve found are from the US (I haven’t included them all here), so some of the settings and language won’t be quite as familiar to UK-based children. Age ranges as always are a very rough guide.
Age 0+
Oscar’s Half Birthday, by Bob Graham
A story about a happy family who happen to live in high-rise flats in a city centre.
Age 2+
Lulu series, by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Lulu decides she wants to grow some flowers, so she goes to the library, does her research, and gets planting.
The New Neighbours, by Sarah McIntyre
A funny, playful story about when new neighbours move in to a tower block.
Age 3+
One of Three, by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman
Three sisters doing what sisters do. They also live in apartment number 2 and use public transport.
Noisy Night, by Mac Barnett
Explore who’s singing, dancing and keeping everyone awake in a city-centre block of flats.
A Mammoth in the Fridge, by M Escoffier and M Maudet
A story about a mammoth in a fridge. The fridge just happens to be in a kitchen in a block of flats. This detail is not important to the story in any way. (Why should it be?)
Age 4+
The Neighbors, by Einat Tsarfati
Fantastic illustrations - a girl climbs the seven floors to her flat and imagines what’s behind the doors she passes.
No Jumping on the Bed!, by Tedd Arnold
Another building with seven floors. A boy falls into the flats below and visits his downstairs neighbours.
Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street, by Felicita Sala
An illustrated recipe book - residents of a block of flats cook food from around the world and enjoy eating together.
Age 6+
Riverside Kids series, by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Debbie Tilley
This is a great series - note it’s set in the US. The books follow Nora and her life in a flat in the heart of a large city.
Zapato Power series, by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Miguel Benitez
The whole Zapato Power series is great. Freddie Ramos lives in Apartment 29G, in a busy city. There are a few Spanish words dotted about, which points to Freddie’s ethnicity. We love this one because my children’s dad is Latin American. Again, it’s based in the US.
Age 7+
Ottoline series, by Chris Riddell
Ottoline lives with a hairy creature named Mr Munroe in Apartment 243, Pepperpot Building (which is possibly a luxury flat).
Bee Boy series, by Tony de Saulles
Melvin Meadly is half boy, half bee…and also happens to live in a flat, in a city.
Age 9+
Marsh Road Mysteries: Crowns and Codebreakers, by Elen Caldecott
The Marsh Road Mysteries series is about a group of friends-cum-detectives, some middle class, some working class.
Boy in the Tower, by Polly Ho-Yen
This story is about Ade, who lives at the top of a tower block with his mum in South London. Part science-fiction, part fable about courage, loneliness and friendship.
Overheard in a Tower Block (poems), by Joseph Coelho
A powerful and moving collection of poetry about growing up in a city tower block.
Becka White is the engagement officer for the London School of Economics’ department of gender studies, and works in campaigns at Amnesty International (Europe team)
