There's Always Room for One More

May 15, 2023
Preparing for Grandpa to move in means saying goodbye to a beloved table and embracing the chance to make memories with a new one. Although excited for Grandpa's arrival, young Clare feels conflicted when Mama announces that their family needs a bigger dining table. Memories of their old table and anxious questions swirl in Clare's mind as the family brings home and lovingly fixes up their new one. Neighbors, friends, and family stop by with things to help Grandpa feel at home and receive cordial invitations ("There's always room for one more") to join them for dinner in return. But change is hard, and Clare eventually dissolves into tears. Mama comforts an overwhelmed Clare and says that Grandpa might be missing what feels like home to him, too. Clare is encouraged by the suggestion that a larger table means more room to make new memories, and the child's first memory will be to help bake a peach cobbler, Clare and Grandpa's favorite treat. The family puts the finishing touches on their feast with the arrival of guests and then finally Grandpa, who is pleased at the surprise. McGrath deftly immerses readers in Clare's mind, while Lobo's warm and whimsical illustrations capture this caring, tightly knit Black family and their diverse community. With the party now in full swing and new memories to cherish, Clare fully understands that "there's always room for one more." (This book was reviewed digitally.) A helpful tale for building empathy and navigating change. (Picture book. 4-9)

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July 1, 2023
Preschool-Grade 3 Clare is excited that Grandpa is coming to live in her home, but when she joins her family on a shopping expedition to find a larger dining room table, she has trouble managing her anger and sadness at losing the old, familiar one. Her mother soothes her by acknowledging her sense of loss but encourages her to consider that Grandpa will be missing his old surroundings, too. Back at home, surrounded by relatives and neighbors working to welcome her grandfather, Clare regains her positive outlook on the changes in her household and picks flowers to decorate the table. Sitting beside Grandpa at dinner that evening, she's pleased to discover that the new table accommodates even more family members and friends. McGrath's portrayal of Clare's shifting emotions will resonate with many children, who rely on stability at home to provide their basic security. A London-based British Indian illustrator, Lobo creates pictures that project the child's intense feelings as well as suggest the affection shared within Clare's family and her diverse community. A warm, inviting picture book.

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August 25, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-Casey loves the old dining table where she's had birthdays and Saturday morning pancakes, but with Grandpa coming to live with them, her family will need a bigger one. While everyone else in Casey's warm and loving Black family and diverse community is having fun preparing the new table for Grandpa's arrival, Casey sits with her sad feelings about losing the old table that felt so much like home. In a poignant social-emotional learning moment, Casey's mom says Grandpa may be missing his old home, too. As Casey empathizes with Grandpa's situation, she realizes the new table is a place where new memories can be made, and starts by baking her and Grandpa's favorite treat, a peach cobbler. The story ends with Grandpa and the neighbors joining Casey's family for a meal around the new table, where there is always room for one more. Like the previous sentence, the title concept feels a little tacked on. However, the rest of McGrath's text is clearly written and lovely to read aloud and includes such poetic phrases as "Love pours out in our favorite color" when the dog accidentally spills a can of paint. A few odd choices (nostalgia for homework help and card games as well as "pa's bad jokes") feel old for what otherwise appears to be a four- or five-year-old main character, but don't detract much from the story. Lobo's sweet stylized illustrations use a limited color palette of warm pinks and browns complemented by greens throughout, and embrace a digitally drawn look. VERDICT A solid purchase for any picture book collection.-Hillary Perelyubskiy

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