If You Lived Here. Houses of the World

If You Lived Here. House of the World by Giles Laroche
Illustrated by Giles Laroche
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2011

     If You Lived Here: Houses of the World is a non-fiction picture book that describes different types of homes and dwellings from all over the world. Each page spread explores a different type of home, all starting with "If you lived here" and continuing with a description of what your home would look like.  Giles Laroche has included specific information about each kind of house under the headings: House Type, Material, Location, Date, and Fascinating Facts (did you know that logs from trees felled in winter were thought to last longer than those cut in other seasons?).  You'll learn about Chalets, Dogtrots, Pueblos, Fujian Tulous, Palafitos and Yurts, as well as other more common types like trailers and townhouses.
     The intricate bas-relief cut-paper collages created by Giles Laroche are incredible, beautiful.  This is the kind of picture book that could be in a classroom library, in a home bookshelf, or in a coffee table, and feel at ease in either one.