A Plan for Pops - by Heather Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

Lou's great-grandfather Pops has a fall and is confined to a wheelchair. Unable to cope, Pops becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to help Pops deal with his new circumstances. Full color.

Book Synopsis

"A positive and realistic representation of both a wheelchair user and an elderly, interracial gay male couple." --Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful and uplifting book." --School Library Journal

Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They walk to the library hand in hand, like a chain of paper dolls. Grandad reads books about science and design, Pops listens to rock and roll, and Lou bounces from lap to lap. But everything changes one Saturday. Pops has a fall. That night there is terrible news: Pops will need to use a wheelchair, not just for now, but for always. Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room. Hearing Grandad trying to cheer up Pops inspires Lou to make a plan. Using skills learned from Grandad, and with a little help from their neighbors, Lou comes up with a plan for Pops.

Available in French as Une idée pour Papi.

Review Quotes

"Uplifting and empowering, A Plan for Pops is a great read with inspiring messaging and lovely illustrations."

-- "Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk"

"A marvelous book on many, many levels and deserves a wide readership. Pick it up for your children, grandchildren, grandparents, or others in your lives, and recommend it to all the children's librarians you know."-- "Mombian"

"A warm intergenerational story accompanied by expressive illustrations full of engaging detail."-- "The Horn Book"

"Add this one to your go-to list."-- "Kiss the Book (KTB) Reviews for School Librarians"

"Smith's characters are real and honest...Kerrigan's digital artwork...is both engaging and touching."-- "Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children's Book News"

"Whatever message a young child gets out of this book, it will be a powerful one... This book is an excellent choice for the pre-school land the early elementary-aged child."-- "Must Read Literature"

"[Children] will be instantly drawn in by the warmth and love that binds these three characters together."-- "Youth Services Book Review"

"A beautiful and uplifting book to help children learn how to handle challenges and help others; a great choice for intergenerational picture book shelves."-- "School Library Journal"

"A fond and sympathetic story, told with attractive particulars, of the challenging pitfalls of aging and their effects on the family...[A] welcome reminder that even after a daunting change, family can still be family."-- "The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

"A positive and realistic representation of both a wheelchair user and an elderly, interracial gay male couple. "-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Accompanied by Kerrigan's muted, pastel-coloured illustrations... Smith's narrative creates a fully rounded and sympathetic storyline with characters with whom youngsters will likely be able to identify...A delicious, enjoyable, and necessary narrative for modern families with a non-normative makeup. Highly Recommended."-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"The bond between Lou and [their] loving grandparents shines through in this unique story. The matter-of-factness of their relationship is worth noting, as this type of representation for same-sex couples will help children appreciate the diversity that exists in many families, without overstating it."-- "Resource Links"

"One of those books that bursts out of its ages 3 - 5 range because of its tender, funny pictures and heartwarming storyline that speak to the best in humanity, at any age."-- "Spirituality & Practice"

About the Author

Heather Smith is the author of several picture books, including the award-winning The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden. Her middle-grade novel Ebb and Flow was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, and her YA novel The Agony of Bun O'Keefe won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, the OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award and was shortlisted for the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award and the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People. Originally from Newfoundland, Heather now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her family.

Brooke Kerrigan has loved drawing ever since she was a little girl, so it seemed only natural that she would grow up to be an artist. Of all her creative endeavors, illustrating children's books is her favorite. Brooke has illustrated over 10 picture books, including design-award-winning Fishermen Through & Through and the Blue Spruce honor book The Little Boy Who Lived Down the Drain. Born in Toronto, she currently lives with her husband in the French Alps.