A Plan for Pops

Lou spends Saturday mornings with their grandparents, Granddad and Pops, following a cherished weekly routine. The three share music, make breakfast, and enjoy each other's company in their cozy home. When Pops experiences a life-changing event, the family must adapt to new challenges and circumstances. Lou and Granddad work together to help Pops during this difficult transition. This picture book addresses themes of family bonds, multigenerational relationships, and responding to unexpected changes with love and determination. The story presents disability and same-sex marriage naturally within its broader narrative about family resilience.

Readers praise A Plan for Pops for its authentic portrayal of aging, disability, and family relationships. Parents and teachers appreciate how the book addresses dementia and accessibility challenges through a child's perspective while remaining hopeful. Parents note the book helps children understand changing dynamics with grandparents. Several reviews mention children connecting to their own experiences with aging relatives. The illustrations receive specific praise for representing diverse families naturally. Some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections. A few reviews mention wanting more detail about the characters' backgrounds. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (187 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (41 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Helped my 6-year-old process her grandfather's changing mobility" - Goodreads "Refreshing to see LGBTQ families represented without it being the focus" - Amazon "Clear explanations of accessibility that kids can grasp" - School Library Journal reader review

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros A grandson and grandfather share memories as they navigate the grandfather's memory loss due to dementia.

When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox by Jamie L.B. Deenihan A child discovers the meaning of working with hands and building connections through projects with a grandfather.

Grandma's Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood The story follows a grandmother's home filling with family members and love during a gathering.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê A boy and his grandfather bridge their language barrier through their shared love of art.

Saturdays Are for Stella by Candy Wellins A boy grapples with the loss of his grandmother while keeping their special traditions alive.

🌟 Author Heather Smith was inspired to write this story after her own father suffered a life-changing injury that affected his mobility 🌈 The book addresses topics rarely seen in picture books: same-sex grandparents, physical disability, and intergenerational caregiving 📚 This tender story received the 2020 Blue Spruce Award from the Ontario Library Association 🎨 Illustrator Brooke Kerrigan used a vibrant color palette throughout the book, except in scenes depicting Pops' depression, where the colors become muted to reflect his emotional state 🏆 The book was selected as one of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids & Teens in 2019