• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

"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 Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room.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.

Heather Smith's profile page

 

 

BROOKE KERRIGAN grew up surrounded by books and the love of art. Now she has illustrated more than a dozen books including Fishermen Through & Through, A Plan for Pops and the Blue Spruce Award Honour Books The Little Boy Who Lived Down the Drain and Kiss Me! I’m a Prince.

 

Her fun and whimsical illustrations are created in watercolour, gouache, pencil crayon and collage. Born and raised in Toronto, she now splits her time between Tiny, Ontario and a little town in the French Alps called Chamonix. Visit her at www.brookekerriganillustration.com.

 

Brooke Kerrigan's profile page

• Commended, ALA Rainbow List Top Ten
• Short-listed, Blue Spruce Award
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Commended, OLA Best Bets—Top Ten
• Commended, Best Spiritual Book of the Year

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

Youth Services Book Review

"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

"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 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 blog

"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

"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

"Add this one to your go-to list."

Kiss the Book blog

“Smith’s characters are real and honest…Kerrigan’s digital artwork…is both engaging and touching.”

Canadian Children's Book News

“A warm intergenerational story accompanied by expressive illustrations full of engaging detail.”

The Horn Book Online

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

Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk blog

“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

“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: K thru YA