Apt. 3 (Picture Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ezra Jack Keats (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Picture Books

In his apartment building in the city, Sam hears voices, barking dogs, snoring, and all kinds of other noises. One rainy day he also hears the sad sounds of a harmonica, and wonders who's playing. Sam's search leads him to Apt. 3, where he finds not only the source of the music--but a new friend.

"The subtle colors of Keats's paintings... make Apt. 3 a pleasure to look at."--The Saturday Review

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a dingy tenement building, the sounds of a harmonica intrigue two brothers and send them off in search of the musician. They find a blind man, and begin a friendship. PW's comment: "Keats is no stranger to miracles, as two boys discover the miracle of music and the miracle of compassion in themselves."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140565078
• ISBN-13: 978-0140565072
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Keats, Ezra Jack
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Apartment 3, April 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Apt. 3 (Reading Rainbow) (Paperback)

I first read this book to my daughter when she was 4-years-old. The New York tenement setting was such a foreign world in contrast to her suburban Dallas upbringing that she was immediately enthralled with the fact that so many families of diverse ethnic backgrounds would all live in one building. Keats paints such a vivid word picture that a child as young as she could easily be drawn into the story line. The characters and events became real to her, to the extent that she could literally hear the harmonica playing. My daughter begged to revisit this story and consequently every trip to the library for the next year included Apartment 3. To this day, at age 29 and expecting her first child, she still recalls this book and wants a copy of her own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT GIFT BOOK FOR YOUNG READERS, September 12, 2008

By 

Sandra M. Brown "Avid reader" (Montgomery County, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apt. 3 (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I purchased this book as a donation to a book collection drive for young children. Along with their engaging story lines, one of the things that I love about the Ezra Jack Keats books is the artwork. That is probably what attracts most people to the books. The vivid, beautiful colors and stylish designs always catch the eye of both children and adults. Then, they fall in love with the charming stories of children's adventures in life. Apt. 3 does not disappoint. I definitely appreciate the fact that the main characters are black children because it is not easy to find storybooks that include them or feature them prominently and positively.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, October 2, 2007

By 

noodle (astoria, n.y. United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apt. 3 (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a wonderful read aloud to share with any grade in school as it can be adapted to suit different age groups & their comprehension abilities. Along with Keats' other books, it has an urban theme & great to use as a mentor text or author study.