I Built A Cabin

by Sara Jewell
illustrated by Charlotte Manning
Running the Goat, Books and Broadsides, 2023
ISBN 978-1-927917-97-8
$13.99, 40 pp., ages 4 – 8
runningthegoat.com

I built a cabin
at the edge of the woods
on the bank of the river
I built a cabin
far away from the cars and the crowds
far away from any neighbours…

So begins this lyrical tale that describes the main character’s retreat to the woods in search of peace and quiet. But on the first day in her new cabin, she discovers that the woods are filled with noisy neighbours. Porcupines, ospreys, squirrels, woodpeckers, and raccoons are among the loud and very active creatures that live nearby. Young readers will enjoy the rhythm of the verse, the bold illustrations, and the antics of the animal characters in this appealing picture book.

Classroom Connections: I Built A Cabin provides many opportunities for young readers to practise effective reading strategies such as accessing prior knowledge, making connections, asking questions, making predictions and inferring. Students can also learn more about the animal characters by exploring the nature notes at the end of the book.

Review by Brenda Boreham.

This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2023 issue.