Big or small, apartment or house, they’re all home.

Come inside one boy’s high-rise apartment complex, where his backyard is the space between his neighboring apartment buildings, and his basketball net is tucked into a bedroom. His parents sometimes complain their home is too small, but the boy’s balcony view of the city and the extended play space of the hallways are a few ways that make the boy’s house feel just the right size.

Our Big Little Place is a charming child’s-eye-view tribute to the power of imaginative play and the diversity of the living spaces we call home.

James A. Conan is a chef by day and writer by night. Our Big Little Place is his first picture book. He lives in Toronto.

James A. Conan's profile page

Nicolle Lalonde is a Toronto-based and Ontario College of Art and Design-trained illustrator. She enjoys exploring the city and meeting the neighborhood cats.

Nicolle Lalonde's profile page

“Conan and Lalonde remind us that the only true limit on space is our imagination.”

CBC News, 08/07/19

“A great exploration of what home and community are in the eyes of a small child growing up in a big city. Highly Recommended.”

CM Reviews, 09/27/19

“I love the joy that the narrator brings to the story with their big imagination and desire for adventure.”

The Tiny Activist, 05/26/20

“A gentle family tale that reflects the diversity of a big city . . . This playful story proves that small spaces can feel large with a little imagination.”

Kirkus Reviews, 06/10/19

“Great storyline.”

The Write Path, 10/10/19

“The illustrations are kid-friendly, full of activity, details and fun . . . a wonderful debut book by the author.”

Storywraps, 07/17/19