Yay! It's library day.
The doors SWISH open.
I slide my old books down the chute.
The Blurb
In this sweet and tender picture book, a trip to the library turns into an adventure in kindness and a reminder that people experiencing homelessness deserve compassion and respect--just like every human.
During a visit to the library, Brian is sure he sees his Pop-Pop around the corner--same eyes, same beard, same bushy eyebrows.
Nope, that's not Pop-Pop!
This man brushes his teeth in the restroom and his sneakers are patched with duct tape. Some people make frowny faces and even call him mean words, but Not Pop-Pop loves books, puzzles, and turtles, just like Brian.
He may not be Brian's pop-pop, but could he be someone's?
Not Pop-Pop also includes a kid-friendly resource for adults to begin conversations about homelessness, empathy, and ways that anyone can make a big difference in the life of a person in need.
My Review
Not Pop Pop is a touching story and is perfect for sharing with children.
The story begins with a young boy, Brian, and his mum entering the library to exchange his books. When he thinks he spots his own Pop Pop he becomes very excited but soon realises that it is not his Pop Pop. Instead, he finds a man who is shabbily dressed, who brushes his teeth in the sink in the library toilets and who seems to be living in his car.
This realisation leads to his mum explaining to him about homelessness. Whilst, other library users are disapproving and even call Pop Pop unwelcome names, his mum is able to teach him about compassion and understanding of those less fortunate than ourselves.
The colourful illustrations by MacKenzie Healey support the text perfectly and will catch the eye of young readers.
Additionally, at the back of the book are sections about homelessness intended for both children and their parents/carers. Headed as Understanding Homelessness, How we can Help and For Parents, Caregivers and Teachers, there is something for everyone in this lovely picture book.
November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in the US and an ideal time to share this book with little ones. In the UK we mark World Homeless Day on the 10th October. That said, this would be a marvellous book to share with children at any time and to introduce this important issue.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 0593578926
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Formats: e-book and hardback
No. of Pages: 40 (hardback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
Angela De Groot was born in England, grew up in South Africa, and now lives in New Jersey with her family.
Angela’s debut picture book, NOT POP-POP (PRH/Waterbrook) is a 2025 Moon Beam Gold Medal Winner for Compassion and a 2025 Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award finalist. Angela hopes that her writing inspires curiosity and compassion while creating worlds that readers can find and lose themselves in.
A lifelong lover of reading and writing, Angela teaches ESL and Basic Literacy at her local library. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her in the garden talking to the birds.
(book and media courtesy of the author)
(all opinions are my own)
(Bookshop.org affiliated)
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