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 Unable to cope with his new circumstances, he becomes withdrawn and shuts himself in his room.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

Available in French as Une idée pour Papi.

Heather Smith's profile page

BROOKE KERRIGAN est une artiste, graphiste et illustratrice de livres pour enfants. Elle est diplômée du Sheridan College en illustration interprétative et a illustré plus de dix livres pour enfants, dont Fishermen Through and Through, Plan for Pops et The Little Boy Who Lived Down the Drain, qui lui a valu un prix Blue Spruce. On peut aussi voir son travail dans les pages du magazine Chirp. Brooke partage son temps entre l’Ontario et une petite ville des Alpes françaises

 

 

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

Depuis une vingtaine d’années, Rachel Martinez a publié plus de quatre-vingts traductions dans des domaines variés pour des éditeurs francophones réputés : roman, arts visuels, récit, biographie, essai et littérature jeunesse. Elle a fait partie du conseil consultatif du Centre international de traduction littéraire de Banff de 2017 jusqu’à sa dissolution en 2019, et a siégé plusieurs années au conseil d’administration de l’Association des traducteurs et traductrices littéraires du Canada. Une mention sur la Liste d’honneur 2014 de l’International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) et le Prix des libraires du Québec 2017 (catégorie 12-17 ans, hors Québec) figurent parmi les marques de reconnaissance qu’elle a reçues. Elle a remporté en 2005 le prix du Gouverneur général du Canada en traduction française pour Glenn Gould, une vie de Kevin Bazzana et a été finaliste en 2013 et 2015.

 

Rachel Martinez's profile page

• Commended, BC Books for BC Schools
• Commended, American Library Association (ALA) Rainbow Book List
• Nominated, Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award
• Commended, Spirituality & Practice (S&P) Awards - The Best Spiritual Books of the Year
• Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection

“Un album plein de poésie et très émouvant. Textes et illustrations sont très réussis. L’homosexualité est abordée en second plan, ce qui aide à la banaliser. Ce livre est aussi très original, puisqu’il aborde les thèmes de« l’homo-grand-parentalité », et de la perte d’autonomie dans un couple homo, thèmes qui ne sont pas traités pour le moment dans l’édition française. Existe également en anglais.Coup de cœur du comité de lecture.”

Association de Parents Gays et Lesbiens (AGPL-France)

“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

“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

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

Youth Services Book Review

"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

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

Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk

“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

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

The Horn Book

"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

“Je suis tombée en amour avec la douceur des portraits, les détails et les couleurs pastel. Vraiment, c’est du bonbon pour les yeux. Le récit est chouette car il est vraiment d’actualité…Le récit nous amène aussi sur les thèmes de la résilience face aux difficultés.”

Maman lectrice blog

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

Kiss the Book (KTB) Reviews for School Librarians

"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 (SLJ)

"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