Book review: Make Room

Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easteris a gentle, thoughtful invitation into the rhythms of Lent and the joy of Easter, written in a way that truly honors both children and the depth of the season.

Rather than focusing only on “giving things up,” this book frames Lent as a season of making space: space in our hearts, our schedules, and our attention for God. That shift feels especially meaningful, and it’s one that children can grasp in a concrete, lived way.

The book walks through the movements of Lent and Holy Week with simple language and rich imagery, introducing traditions like Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday in a way that feels accessible without losing their significance. The pacing is slow and intentional, giving readers room to pause, notice, and wonder. It’s also long enough that it could be read little by little, all through Lent. There is also a board book version that we used in our nursery/preschool Sunday school class!

What I especially appreciated in using this during Sunday school was how naturally it opened up conversation. It gave us a shared language to explore church traditions and practices, while still leaving space for curiosity and reflection. It didn’t feel like a lesson as much as an invitation. (We talked a lot about sunrise services and egg hunts!)

The illustrations are warm and engaging, and they pair beautifully with the text to create a sense of quiet attentiveness, something that can be hard to cultivate with kids, but this book supports it well.

This is a wonderful resource for churches, families, or anyone wanting to help children (and honestly, adults too) enter into Lent and Easter with intention. It pairs especially well with hands-on or contemplative practices, making it easy to extend the experience beyond the page.