A Space for Me

by Cathryn Falwell, Cathryn Falwell (Illustrator)

Overview

Alex needs a break from his pesky little brother, Lucas, so he creates a space for himself, but soon realizes that he and Lucas need time together too.

It's just not fair! Alex's big sister has her own room, but Alex has to share a room with their little brother, Lucas, who makes noise, plays with Alex's toys, and takes over both sides of their room. One day, when Lucas breaks Alex's favorite dragon, spills all the crayons, and throws puzzle pieces into the air, Alex has had enough!

All Alex wants is a quiet space for himself. In the backyard he creates the perfect spot to read, play, think, and dream. But when Lucas misses him, Alex helps his brother build his own special space too. Some days Alex spends time in his space by himself. Some days Lucas plays in his space by himself. And some days the brothers play in their room--a space for both of them together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620149966
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	03/01/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Cathryn Falwell has written and illustrated many award-winning books for children, among them Lee & Low's Rainbow Stew, David's Drawings, and Butterflies for Kiri, a "Choices" selection from the Cooperative Children's Book Center. Falwell lives in Gorham, Maine, with her family. To find out more about Cathryn Falwell, visit her website: cathrynfalwellbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Highly recommended for library collections." — School Library Journal

"Pesky siblings will be pesky siblings—but the final page-turn shows they can be welcome playmates, too." — The Horn Book

Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education
CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

From the Publisher

01/01/2020

PreS-K—Alex needs a break from his younger brother Lucas, with whom he shares a room. The masking tape line down the middle of the bedroom floor hasn't worked in keeping Lucas out of his personal space, so Alex comes up with another idea. Using household items including a lawn chair and towel, he makes a personal fort in the backyard. Text and illustrations work well together and convey how complicated sibling relationships can be. Since Alex has his fort, Lucas has the whole room to play in. But this creates another problem. Lucas looks crestfallen with this solution. Text reads, "I leave my quiet space and go to our room. 'Lucas, why are you sad? You have our whole room for yourself,' I say." Illustrations perfectly convey the mood of Lucas who misses his brother. Alex helps Lucas create his own fort out of a cardboard box. This engaging story encourages teamwork and creative problem-solving. VERDICT Highly recommended for library collections. The theme will resonate with siblings who share rooms and offers a practical solution to get one's own space, when a separate room isn't an option.—Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA

School Library Journal

2019-11-24
Brotherly love wins out.

Young Alex narrates his frustration with his little brother, Lucas. The boys share a bedroom, and Alex complains, "He takes my stuff and makes noise and plays on my side of the room, in my space." Both boys have medium-brown skin and dark wavy hair. Their big sister, Emma, has her own room, and she resembles her brothers. She notices that Alex is upset and helps him create a space of his own outside. Alex is happy to play outside by himself until he notices Lucas gazing forlornly out the window. Alex can't understand why his little brother isn't happy to have their bedroom all to himself. Falwell's colorful, textured collage art zooms in to capture the tender moment when Lucas tells Alex, "But I want to be with you." The boys gaze at each other across the gutter from facing pages, the green of their bedroom walls now a lighter shade than in prior spreads, evoking a moment of peace and connection. Moved, Alex brings Lucas outside to make him a space of his own in their backyard, too. Closing spreads show the brothers playing together and alone, outside and inside, with illustrations taking pains to make it clear that although things are better, realistically, Lucas can still annoy his big brother sometimes.

Find space on the shelf for this sweet family story. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews