Lachie MacLachlan and his family have a small house and are always welcoming people into it. But one day there isn't enough room and everyone comes tumbling out of the house. But they find a bigger house and they are able to invite even more people in. This book would be good for 1st grade and it would be good to introduce poetry to first graders.

Based on a old Scottish song about bringing the house down, this story is probably best sung. Music is provided in the back, and you're also going to need the glossary in the back to understand the Scottish/Gaelic thrown in. ( )

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 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. ( )

In this illustrated book written after a Scottish folk song with the same name, a Scottish family is generous and always inviting someone passing by into the home to stay. This book is written with some Scottish words in place of English words making it a bit difficult to read if not familiar with the language. Although it is a well written book, this is not a book that would peak the interest of children in a classroom, however, could be used as a mentor text for a student researching the Scottish culture. ( )

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 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. ( )