PASSING BY

Comfortably ensconced on the balcony, Yael looks down on her street to see the goings-on. Curiel’s simple, appealing pictures show the neighborhood from Yael’s perspective as a dog arrives, barks and disappears. A cat is next, and eventually different vehicles and people arrive and exit, while Mom pops out to check on her daughter. The spreads alternate, long shots showing Yael and the street below, with close-ups of what she sees succeeding as she identifies each noisemaker. Straightforward, kid-friendly text provides names for all Yael sees and expresses her questions (“Who’s coming closer?” “Who made that noise?”). Children will enjoy both guessing and providing answers gleaned from the story and the context, and a bit of suspense ensues as someone special appears, perhaps to bring Yael out for a walk herself. Originally published in Israel, the book features illustrations that include neighborhood signs in Hebrew, providing an introduction to the idea that similarities and differences exist in neighborhoods throughout the world. A gentle story for the young and observant, it taps into the natural curiosity of children. (Picture book. 2-5)