Always Room for One More

This is a Scottish Folk song set to illustrations. As a child, the author heard her father sing the song, and his father sang it to him and so on. The book contains sheet music in the back.
This is a story of a very generous man who lives in a two room house with 11 other people, yet he insists to any traveler who passes by that they come on in saying there is always room for one more! When a house full of people literally bring the house down, he is rewarded in turn.
I enjoyed this one because it has a good message of generosity and making friends and the rhythm of the song made it fun to read. I had to read it in my best Scottish accent!
What is interesting about the illustrations in this book is the way the people and the house are show more drawn in a series of straight lines in black ink with clearly defined shapes. The people contrast with the scenery which is abstract pastel colors. show less

Passed down through oral tradition this old Scottish folk tale makes its American debut in Sorche Nic Leodhas’ and Nonny Hogrogian’s warmhearted and rhythmic picture book “Always Room for One More.” The Caldecott classic provides to readers a glimpse of the good-natured way of living for rural Scottish folk. Lachie MacLachlan shares “a wee house in the heather” with a family of 12. They happily open their doors to passing travelers chanting there’s “Always room for one more!” A tinker, sailor, “merry auld wife” and many more squeeze into the boisterous thatch-roofed home filled with smiling, dancing and music.
Nonny Hogrogian captures the timeless folktale with black ink folk drawings and subtle shades of black, show more pink and olive green watercolor. The stylized illustrations successfully convey the fun and warmhearted ambience of the MacLachlan home. The subtlety in color and design captures the timelessness of this tale. If readers have trouble understanding the Scottish words a glossary is provided at the end of the story. This book is recommended for grades K-3 either as an individual read or a lively storytime read-alon show less

This book is a good lesson on kindess. The main family is always bringing in more people to stay, exclaiming there is always room for one more! It is a merry read and cheerful. I enjoyed the book although it took me a couple of times to understand the rhythm of the words.

I love the hospitality theme in this book. I would love to see a recording of this song, because I always felt like I couldn't do it justice. Not sure it's one my children will care about for the next generation, but I thought it a worthwhile addition to the library, for its portrayal of a family culture that I value. Illustrations are odd and not my favorite, but they are competently done.

Always Room for One More is based off a Scottish folk song. A man welcomes many strangers into his house even though it is not that large and he already has ten children. So many people pack into the house it collapses. The people rally together and build the man a house double the size of the original so he can fit more people. This book did not really hold my attention. I often found myself confused because of the Scottish words throughout the book. It was only until after I finished reading the book I realized there was a glossary in the back explaining the words. I do not think I would pick this book to read again especially to children.

From the Book Jacket: To his “wee house in the heather” where he lives with his wife and ten children, the good-natured Lachie MacLachlan invites every traveler who passes on a stormy night, assuring all that “There’s always room for one more.”

My reactions:

Sorche Nic Leodhas drew inspiration from a traditional Scottish song that has been handed down through the generations. Lachie is a generous host, and even when his house is literally full to bursting, he doesn’t despair, and everyone to whom he’s offered shelter pitches in to help him build a bigger and better house, where once again “There’s always room for one more.”

The author explains in a note at the end of the book that some of the words were changed to make show more it more understandable for American children, but other Scottish words were kept because there simply wasn’t a reasonable English alternative. There is a glossary at the end of the book. The book also includes the musical notes, so readers can plunk out the tune on the piano.

Nonny Hogrogian was awarded the Caldecott Medal for her illustrations. I appreciate her artwork, but they don’t really capture my attention or move me. show less

Always Room for One More is a children's book about a Scottish family that invited weary travelers into their home through song. The main character, Lachine, is the father who plays the bagpipes as he insists that there is always room for one more in their home. I enjoyed this book. One reason why I enjoyed it was because of the illustrations. Although they are not very colorful, they do an excellent job at depicting the simple life style of this rural Scottish family. The simple colors and simply drawings showcase that what matters to this family is not luxury but simply being together and being good people. Another reason why I liked this book was because of the writing. I felt that the writing did an excellent job of showcasing the show more Scottish heritage. The father was constantly saying how he is gentlemen and was raised to be hospitable. I felt that this book depicted the values and morals of the Scottish heritage without being too obvious. show less