THE ONE WITH THE SCRAGGLY BEARD
By Elizabeth Withey • Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 32 pages
Published by Orca Book Publishers • 2020
ISBN 978-1-4598-1855-2
Inspired by the author’s brother who is homeless and her experiences introducing him to her young son, The One with the Scraggly Beard is a compassionate story about a young boy who questions his mother about a homeless man in their neighborhood. He wonders why the man sleeps under a bridge when there are so many houses all over the city.
The young boy draws many parallels between himself and the man—they are both missing their front teeth, they both forget to brush their hair, they are both boys, one grown and one not—and in turn, the parallels offer a gently humanizing perspective.
Scurfield’s bright and energetic illustrations bring the boy and the one with the scraggly beard to life. Clean shapes and energetic lines flesh out the urban landscape and expressive characters. Thoughtful details, like a guitar and Princess Leia button, bring personality and humanity to the winsome homeless man.
An important and thoughtful read—one that is sure to spark compassion for the different experiences and life paths of the homeless living among us.
The young boy draws many parallels between himself and the man—they are both missing their front teeth, they both forget to brush their hair, they are both boys, one grown and one not—and in turn, the parallels offer a gently humanizing perspective.
Scurfield’s bright and energetic illustrations bring the boy and the one with the scraggly beard to life. Clean shapes and energetic lines flesh out the urban landscape and expressive characters. Thoughtful details, like a guitar and Princess Leia button, bring personality and humanity to the winsome homeless man.
An important and thoughtful read—one that is sure to spark compassion for the different experiences and life paths of the homeless living among us.
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Reviewed by: Jane Smith