Making Room

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

This quiet, heartwarming tale is based on the true story of John William
and Annie Smith, who lived in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, during the
1800s. Young audiences will delight in the repetitive and cumulative
nature of the story.

For John, 18, a one-room house crafted with his own two hands is, at
first, all he needs. But it is not long before he discovers that a
solitary life is not for him. John concludes that he needs a wife, too,
and so he and Annie from across the river get married. Happy and
content, Annie decides that they need a pantry. “I’ll build it right
away, my dear,” says John. So it begins: first a pantry and a porch,
then a cradle, extra bedrooms, a kitchen, and rocking chairs. As the
years go by, more and more is added until the house has 17 rooms. On top
of that, each time something new is added, another relative or friend
moves in until eventually there are 20 people living in John William and
Annie’s house!

This picture book has a traditional design in which a full-page
illustration faces each page of text. Peter Rankin’s brilliantly
detailed and richly coloured oil-paint images nicely reflect the time
period. His scenes and portraits could easily stand alone, at home in a
gallery showing. The enlarged details drawn from the larger
illustrations inserted in each page of text add to the enjoyment.

Making Room with its gentle humour will appeal to primary-grade
readers. Children will find the “full circle” ending particularly
amusing and satisfying. Highly recommended.