The Old Man

It’s morning and people are waking up, getting ready for the day, for school, for work, but the old man has nowhere to be. Still, he gets up. It is cold, and his blanket is wet. He would like coffee and something to eat, but when he arrives at the shelter, he can’t remember his name, so he leaves and looks for something to eat. Though he finds little to eat, he shares some with a cat that is also hungry. He spends time on the bus, trying to stay warm, but he is embarrassed and gets off when a child complains that the old man smells bad. A little girl, while her mother watches, shares her sandwich with the old man, telling him he looks like a teddy bear. In so doing, the little girl gives the old man the one thing he needs to get into the shelter — a name.

This little book, written with great compassion and sagacity by Sarah V., has profound lessons of kindness for its young readers. The muted, sketchy illustrations by Claude K. Dubois are the perfect complement to this gentle story. This will be a welcome addition to any library, personal or public.