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Room for More

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( 80 ratings, 20 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Room for More by Michelle Kadarusman follows a young girl living in Indonesia as she discovers an unexpected visitorβ€”a lost, endangered pangolinβ€”in her own space. As she learns about the animal's plight, the story highlights themes of empathy, conservation, and making room in our hearts for those in need. This heartfelt narrative encourages children to consider the environment and the importance of kindness.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in heartwarming stories about inclusion and understanding differences. It's perfect for children eager to learn about empathy and acceptance through engaging storytelling.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Twowombats offer shelter to animals fleeing a bushfire as Governor General's Awardfinalist Michelle Kadarusman offers a child-friendly introduction to themes ofenvironmental disaster and welcoming refugees

  • 5,000-copy print run
  • Pitch to major review media, including Quill & Quire, CM Magazine, The New York Times, The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal
  • Digital Review Copy will be available on Edelweiss
  • Featured at physical and virtual library conferences
  • Targeted marketing to major review centers, influential bloggers, and major library system selectors
  • Classroom guide for educators forthcoming
  • Promotion on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest
  • E-newsletter promotionΒ 

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Age range 5 to 8

Two wombats, two wallabies, a koala, and a tiger snake humorously squeeze into one burrow and reveal important truths about environmental disasters and the importance of welcoming refugees.

When a fire sweeps through the Australian bush, wombats Dig and Scratch are glad to have a cool, damp burrow to keep them safe. But Dig notices that other animals are not so lucky. When Dig invites a wallaby mother and her joey to shelter with them, Scratch grumbles. When Dig beckons to a koala, Scratch complains. And when Dig welcomes in a tiger snake, Scratch is fit to be tiedβ€”but Dig is sure there's always room for more. When the rains come to douse the fire and bring a new threat of flooding, a crowd of creatures may turn out to be just what the wombats need.

Inspired by stories of animals sheltering in wombat burrows when her homeland of Australia experienced devastating fires, award-winning author Michelle Kadarusman gets young readers up close and personal with Australian wildlife. Illustrator Maggie Zeng brings the creatures to life with a generous dose of personality as they squeeze together in the burrow and work together above ground. Extensive back matter includes information about wildfires, a glossary of animals, and age-appropriate context about environmental disasters and the work that is being doneβ€”including a renewal of Indigenous land practicesβ€”to prevent them.

'A sweet and simple cautionary tale, with a tip of the cap to the spirit of altruism.' β€” Kirkus Reviews

'The messaging around welcoming refugees is subtle but also important... With adorable characters, important themes, and lovely illustrations, this is a cute picture book that children will enjoy.' β€” YA Books Central

Room for More can supplement a unit about inclusiveness and friendship and is a good read-aloud. Recommended β€” CM Magazine

Room for More is a nice picture book about kindness and helping others and it introduces young (and old) readers to some of the fascinating animals who live in Australia.' β€” Simcoe.com

'In her dedication, Kadarusman thanks those "who open their hearts, homes, and borders to those in need," which is a pretty powerful statement... The book is super cuteβ€”both the story and the illustrationsβ€”and I love how, in the end, Scratch feels good about helping others in need.' β€” Book Time

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Room for More by Michelle Kadarusman is highly praised for its engaging narrative that teaches children about kindness, inclusivity, and environmental awareness. It is lauded for its charming illustrations and exploration of real-life Australian animals facing environmental challenges. Reviewers appreciate its subtle messaging around welcoming refugees and generating thought-provoking discussions in classroom settings.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781772782523

Publisher: Pajama Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 September 2022

Country: Canada

Imprint: Pajama Press

Illustration: Illustrations, color

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Maggie Zeng

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 254.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 460g

Pages: 32

About the Author

Michelle Kadarusman is a multi-award-winning author of middle-grade novels, including Music for Tigers, The Theory of Hummingbirds, and the Governor General's Award finalist Girl of the Southern Sea. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Michelle has also lived in Indonesia and Canada; today she splits her time between Toronto, Canada, and Byron Bay, Australia. Room For More, Michelle's first picture book, was inspired by Australian wildlife sheltering in wombat burrows during the devastating Australian bushfires of 2019-2020.

Maggie Zeng is a children's book illustrator, graphic designer, concept artist, and animator. Born in Montreal, she attends Concordia University and previously received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Applied Arts Technologies at Dawson College. Maggie loves making story-driven illustrations that convey a feeling of adventure and wonder through fun characters and magical environments. Her first picture book is This is the Boat That Ben Built.

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    WINNER: 2023 Environment Award for Children's Literature Berani tells the story of Malia, who has enjoyed a privileged upbringing in Indonesia. Now facing the prospect of leaving the homeland she cherishes due to her mother's wish to return to her own family abroad, Malia is adamant about staying. How can she leave when she is so committed to fighting for...
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  • Girl of the Southern Sea
    From Governor General's Literary Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman, an empowering novel about a girl from the slums of Jakarta who dreams of an education and the chance at a better life. From the time she was a little girl, Nia has dreamed up adventures about the Javanese mythical princess, Dewi Kadita. Now fourteen, Nia would love nothing more than to...
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  • Seabird
    Kadarusman beautifully brings Kartini to life with clarity and empathy in a story that's educational without being preachy and is a superb pick for readers interested in history and activism. Kirkus Reviews Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist, Seabird follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl. Confined to the family home in preparation...
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    'Kadarusman beautifully brings Kartini to life with clarity and empathy in a story that's educational without being preachy and is a superb pick for readers interested in history and activism.' Kirkus ReviewsInspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist.Seabird follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl. Confined to the family home in preparation for an...
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    Shipped halfway around the world to spend the summer with her mum's eccentric Australian relatives, middle schooler and passionate violinist Louisa is prepared to be resentful. But life at the family's remote camp in the Tasmanian rainforest is intriguing, to say the least. There are pig-footed bandicoots, scary spiders, weird noises and odours in the night, and a quirky boy...
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