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Young Brian is excited to go to the library with his mother. He zooms and zigs and zags past book shelves, a crawling baby, and a knitting grandmother till he reaches his favorite reading chair. As he flips through the pages of a book, he looks up and sees an elderly man whom he thinks is his grandfather, Pop-Pop. But when Brian jumps up to greet the man, he realizes he is mistaken. In his mind, he names the man Not Pop-Pop.

On Brian’s next visit to the library, he notices Not Pop-Pop talking loudly to himself, brushing his teeth by the public bathroom sink, taking canned food out of a donation bin, and going to his car, which is filled to the brim with his belongings.

Brian hears people’s reactions to Not Pop-Pop when they call him a vagrant and a bum. When Brian asks his mother about the meanings of the words, she teaches him about compassion and the power of words to build others up or tear them down.

to help children glimpse what it might mean to experience homelessness and teach them how to show respect and kindness.

In an author’s notes, De Groot addresses parents, teachers, and caregivers: “Children are observant and curious. They ask questions that don’t have easy answers. Although topics like homelessness have nuances that are hard for young children to understand, it’s never too early to help them develop into global citizens.”

Christian adults who share this book with children can recall Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves and to share with those in need.

(WaterBrook)