Jennie Makes Room

In her debut picture book, Utah First Lady Abby Cox tells a playful story about philanthropist Jennie Kearns, the woman who donated her private home to become the Utah Governor’s Mansion.

Jennie grew up working at her mother’s boarding house in the small mining town of Park City, Utah. When the young man she has fallen in love with, Thomas Kearns, strikes silver, their lives are transformed. Suddenly, they are extraordinarily wealthy. But Jennie does not wonder how she can live lavishly; instead, she wonders how she can serve meaningfully.

How can she share? How can she give? How can she welcome everyone into her home?

Illustrated by Matt Loveridge, students and educators will enjoy reading and learning about this extraordinary woman in Utah’s history!