The Elevator on 74th Street

by Laura Gehl, Yas Imamura (illustrator)

Small Walt meets The Last Stop on Market Street in this picture book about a warmhearted elevator that’s part matchmaker, part friend, and all sweetness.

Every day, Ellie the elevator works tirelessly to make the residents of her building happy. She loves everyone who lives in her building—even the dogs with muddy paws and the over-enthusiastic button-pushers. But Ellie has a soft spot for Thea, who bounces through Ellie’s doors with a cheerful grin every day. After Thea’s best friend moves away, Ellie rarely sees Thea smile anymore. Ellie wants to cheer Thea up…but what can an elevator do to help? Leave it to Ellie to make Thea’s world better.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie the Elevator loves her job as the only elevator in an apartment building. She loves being part of everyone’s day and helping them get where they need to go. As an elevator, she really shouldn’t have a favorite, but she does. Thea came home from the hospital as a newborn on Ellie’s first day as an elevator. So, Ellie has watched Thea grow up.

When Thea’s best friend moves away, Thea is no longer the happy girl who bounces into the elevator. Ellie tries everything to get Thea to smile and be happy again. When a new family moves into the building, Ellie has an idea that just might make Thea happy again.

Fantastic illustrations show the inside of a beautiful apartment building with a happy, smiling elevator. I loved the variety of people who live in the building, including people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds. Many kids will relate to Thea’s sadness about missing her best friend. Making an inanimate elevator into someone who sees and understands the humans that enter and exit every day offers kids a reminder to think about the people and places they see every day and how to greet them with a smile or a kind hello.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie the Elevator is pure delight! Told from the point of view of the elevator itself, this story is both fresh and tender—reminiscent of beloved titles like School’s First Day of School. Ellie may just be part of a building, but her heart is enormous. Through small acts of kindness that often go unnoticed, she makes life brighter for everyone around her. And her greatest gift is the way she quietly helps create new friendships when they're needed most.

Gehl’s text is lyrical and full of heart, making this a joy to read aloud. The illustrations overflow with warmth and playful detail, capturing the life of the building beautifully.

This book touched me deeply, stirring memories of when I once lived in a building with an elevator on 76th Street. It’s a story that reminds us how ordinary spaces—and even an elevator—can hold extraordinary magic. A must-read that children and adults alike will treasure. Highly recommend!

[Rachelle Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love The Elevator on 74th Street, by the talented Laura Gehl, a unique and UPLIFTING (haha) story told from the point of view of a residential building's elevator named Ellie. Gehl's storytelling takes a friendship tale to new heights (haha) as Ellie adapts her unique forms of kindness to the needs of each resident, playing music louder for the hard of hearing, keeping her door open longer for those with mobility issues, and most of all, scheming to forge a friendship between two young girls in the building. Every page is an unexpected delight on so many levels (haha), including Yasmin Imamura's whimsical illustrations. I recommended this book to all young readers-- I guarantee it won't let you down (haha). Okay, I'll stop the elevator puns now. Just buy this book! It will lift your spirits.

[Alyssa Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elevator on 74th Street by Laura Gehl is a gentle, joyful picture book that introduces Ellie, a friendly Elevator in a bustling apartment building, who takes pride in brightening the days of her diverse residents. When Thea, a young tenant, feels lonely after her best friend moves away, Ellie uses empathy and thoughtful gestures to lift her spirits and help her make a new friend, Claire, who has just moved in. Through small acts of kindness- like playing music for those who need it, helping with mobility, and orchestrating meetups- Ellie shows what it means to be a caring part of the community. Laura Gehl's storytelling is heartwarming, while Yas Imamura's illustrations capture the warmth and vibrancy of the building's close-knit environment, making this book a comforting read for children ages 4-8. In the end, the children recognize how much Ellie has done for them, throwing her a celebration that highlights the value of compassion, friendship, and everyday helpers. The book is a wonderful choice for young readers navigating changes or learning about the importance of empathy and connection.

[K G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, fun, heart-warming book told from the point of view of an anthropomorphized elevator. Within it, there is moving story about respecting others-especially the elderly, having patience, showing kindness, coping with loss, restoring hope, building community, embracing diversity, and building friendship...yet, each of these elements is not hammered in to the reader. They are revealed in gentle, subtle ways based on observed actions, behaviors, and events. It is a beautiful story with so much to discuss after reading. The art pairs perfectly with Gehl's touching words. This is one elevator worth taking! Highly recommend!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book from the perspective of an elevator? I was immediately intrigued. The elevator, named Ellie of course, loves the people in her building and takes pride in her work. I absolutely adore the creative ways this elevator impacts the lives of those around her. I don't really want to give too much away about the plot, but it's darling. This is a book about the small things that make a big difference. I love this book for a friendship story time, a round up of books about apartments, storytime about kindness, or for talking about POV with kids.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Points for originality, this is a picture book starring Ellie the Elevator! I enjoyed how the 1-12 floors number strip was her mouth (smiling, straight, or frowning) and the two lights on each side her eyes. Clever and cozy, about Thea, a young girl who's friend moves far away to California, and making new friends (with a little help from Ellie, erm, remember? That's the Elevator!)

Themes: friendship
Ages: middle grade: 2-4th grade
Pub year: 2025

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elevator in a apartment building loves it's residents, but especially a young girl who lives here. When she gets sad that her friend from the apartment moves away, the elevator tries to cheer her up, including forcing her to meet the new girl who jus moved in. I liked the images and the details about the people. It was a fun, sweet read.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie the elevator loves her job, even when no one notices. Delightfully illustrated by Yes Imamura, the residents of Ellie's building are brought to life, with good and bad days, parting, and new friendship. Very successful, heartwarming story told from the point of view of an inanimate (well, mostly) object.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about a friendship forged through the efforts of an elevator named Ellie. Filled with heart and tender moments, this story will make you smile. And you'll probably want to hug Ellie, too.

[Jen Fier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so impressed by how Laura Gehl and Yas Imamura had me (and my kids) rooting for an elevator! What a feat! This is a very creative book that features perseverance, friendship and community. We love looking at all the apartment neighbors and rooting for Ellie and Thea.

[Pinky LO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie <3 Touching story, great illustrations. My favorites in no particular order, 1.The lobby floor 2.the lobby walls 3.the back cover with images/elements of the story (perfect for comprehension/retelling check).

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

F&G: cute story told from an apartment building’s elevator POV.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The illustrations were my favorite part of the book. I thought the story about how the elevator helps with a friendship was cute but the ending, for me and my kids, felt incomplete.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sentient elevator. Maybe too long for a preschool story time, but good for elementary.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this but the adult POV was an issue, among other things.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely cute!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and quirky.