I Wanna New Room

Image of I Wanna New Room
Release Date: 
December 1, 2010
Publisher/Imprint: 
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 
32
Reviewed by: 

Alex is upset because he now has to share his room with his four-year-old brother, Ethan. Sure, he loves his new baby sister, but he wants privacy and his own room back. So what does Alex do? He writes a letter to his mom, complaining that Ethan makes a lot of noise while he sleeps. He pleads with her to let him move him back into his old room and not give it to his baby sister, Annie.

Mom responds with a letter, telling him to talk to his father, which he does with another letter. This time there are more complaints about Ethan, along with the comment that he has already asked his mom.

Dad replies with his own letter stating that Annie is a girl, and therefore should have her own room. Alex’s comeback is the retort that Annie is a baby! He continues his tirade about how Ethan drools and breaks his toys.

Dad tells him that four year olds do those things and suggests that Alex teach Ethan about respecting each other’s property.

Exasperated, Alex devises a way to keep Ethan in the other side of the room, but Dad informs him that by doing this, Ethan cannot exit the room. Alex agrees to let Ethan have passage to the door and promises Dad he will keep his room very clean—if only he can have it to himself again.

His dad reminds him that he needs to clean his iguana’s cage and Alex states he is changing the subject, but reminds his dad he is practically grown and is a good student.

Dad doesn’t fall for it, making Alex whine more and come up with other reasons to have a room to himself.

The device of having a child and parents communicate via letters works to hilarious effect in this picture book. The voices of Alex and his parents are conveyed with pinpoint perfection, capturing the child’s somewhat desperate but thoughtful efforts at manipulation to achieve his desires, and gently highlighting the parents’ ability to see right through him and to respond with humor and verve.

Children and adults both can relate to this enchanting tale. Though Alex comes up with some great points as to why he should have his own room, he learns a lesson in sharing. Mr. Catrow’s whimsical and colorful illustrations add zip to Ms. Orloff’s text, blending the two together quite perfectly.