A Plan for Pops
Written by Heather Smith
Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan
Published February 19, 2019
Why we chose this book:
We enjoyed Angus All Aglow by Heather Smith, I keep my eyes for any wheelchair-related picture books, and I'm keen on books that feature creative problem solving. Orca Book Publishers provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mom's Review:
A little boy, Lou, spends every weekend with his grandfathers. They have an enviable routine that starts with breakfast, moves to the library, continues on to lunch, and proceeds to snuggles and stories, and finally ends with constructing and inventing. One Saturday, however, Lou's Pops falls on the stairs out of the house. That evening, they get the news that Pops will need to use a wheelchair from now on. This is stated simply, with no negative undertones. Pops, however, slides into a depression and is not seen by Lou for weeks. Lou and Granddad are heartbroken at Pops's refusal to leave his room until the day Lou decides to get Pops back into the old swing of things. And this is what I so love about A Plan for Pops: the problem-solving.
Lou sketches out his plan, asks his Granddad for help, and engages the neighbors in his epic construction. He combines skills learned from each of his grandfathers (construction and engineering from Granddad and arts from Pops), to set up a mechanism that will turn on the stereo to Pops's favorite song. When the song ends, Lou arrives with a glass of juice topped with a paper umbrella (a Pops special). Lou has obviously considered what Pops enjoys, what will elicit happiness and remind Pops of his special bond with his grandson (you can see a family portrait by Lou framed over Pops's bed). Pops does indeed feel encouraged enough to make a try for the library, and what awaits him out his front door is nothing short of life-changing. Lou, Granddad, and the neighbors have built a ramp for Pops; now he can enter and exit his home. The joy as Lou pushes Pops to the library is palpable, and all three resume their previous routine with no hindrance from Pops new ride.
The three main takeaways from A Plan for Pops:
1. kids have the power to creatively solve problems
2. a wheelchair isn't bad, it just is
3. engineering and art complement one another
Uplifting and empowering, A Plan for Pops is a great read with inspiring messaging and lovely illustrations.
Son's Review:
(Age: 4)
Mom: What did you like best about this book?
Son: I - what I liked about this book was that they built contraptions.
Mom: I liked how the boy solved the problem. He made a plan and asked for help and did it.
Son: That was also my favorite part.
Mom: Do you like to make plans?
Son: Yes. And the plan I just made right now is, "Read a book!"
Mom: Why do you think the ramp was so important to Pops?
Son: Because he could drive his wheelchair.
Mom: And before the ramp? ... What did that mean for him?
Son: There was stairs... That was a bad thing because he fell.
Mom: How would you feel if you were Lou in this book?
Son: Me? I would feel happy and I would feel sad. Happy that I was written about in a story and sad because Pops fell.
Mom: What do you think the author and illustrator want to tell the audience about wheelchairs?...Walk or get around?
Son: They're very important because they help you to walk...Get around.
Mom: What would you say to Lou if you could meet him?
Son: If I met him when Pops fell, I would try to comfort him.
Mom: Would you want to spend a weekend with Granddad, Pops, and Lou? Why?
Son: Yeah. Because I want to! Building contraptions!
Mom: When is it a good time to read A Plan for Pops?
Son: When I'm problem solving.
Mom: Who else should read this book?
Son: Anyone else who likes to do problem solving!
Mom: And final question: What's the most important thing to know about A Plan for Pops?
Son: That it's a good book.
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| T added the umbrella to his drink after our book photo shoot - he couldn't be happier! |
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