The One with the Scraggly Beard

by Elizabeth Withey, Lynn Scurfield (Illustrator)

Overview

A child tries to understand the life of a man he has seen sleeping under a bridge. The boy’s mother patiently answers his questions and explains how people’s life paths can be so different. The child observes the things he has in common with the man and wonders where his own path will lead.


The One With the Scraggly Beard is defined by a simple narrative in which a child’s curiosity and perceptiveness act as catalysts for understanding fear, suffering and resilience while exploring themes of homelessness, belonging and compassion. This unique book will speak to children and adults alike. A note from the author explains how the origin of this story is rooted in her own life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459818552
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	405,345
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	AD440L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Elizabeth Withey is a journalist, author and visual artist. She grew up in rural Saskatchewan, reading books borrowed from the Wapiti Regional Library. A former Writer in Residence at Edmonton Public Library and staff writer and columnist at the Edmonton Journal, Elizabeth is now a producer for CBC Radio and lives in Calgary. The One with the Scraggly Beard was inspired by Withey’s son’s experience meeting his uncle, who has been living on the street since 2015.

Lynn Scurfield is a freelance illustrator from a quiet suburb outside of Toronto. She received her bachelor of illustration from Sheridan College in 2015 and has been drawing for a variety of clients ever since, including Macmillian Publishers and NPR. Her work has also been commissioned by publications such as the New York Times, The Walrus and Reader’s Digest Canada.

Editorial Reviews

A wise and timely tale because young children see what is happening on our streets and wonder why. Withey’s spare text allows the little boy to fill in the spaces as he matures and develops understanding.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A powerful book…Models what respect and human dignity looks like for all community members.

Toronto Star

[A] sensitive story of family and love…Every elementary library should have this thought provoking book on their shelves. This difficult topic of homelessness is explained well in this narrative.

Must Read Literature

2020-06-03
A boy seeks connections with his uncle, who’s experiencing homelessness.

In the first double-page spread, a boy and his mother shake a colorful quilt that, on the opposite page, transforms into water flowing by a bridge where a man sleeps. The boy calls him the “One With the Scraggly Beard.” This visual connection carries through the boy’s questions to his mother about this man, his uncle, and how he looks and lives. The boy worries one day he will be like his uncle, because of what they share in common: pockets full of treasures, a missing tooth, even a fear of the dark. His mother reassures her anxious son, saying her brother wanted one life but ended up living another because life can contain unexpected trials. Her straightforward answers acknowledge the boy’s concerns and also humanize her brother. Later, readers see them together as a family. Lush, textured illustrations depict leafy parks where the boy and his uncle stroll, and tree-lined streets near the bridge, reminding readers of the life inside each character in this story, no matter how they live that life. The family presents white, exposure rendering the uncle’s skin browner than the others. An author’s note reveals the autobiographical origin of this story. Withey’s honest tone and simple language offer educators and caregivers empathetic ways to talk with young children about homelessness. The French version is a faithful translation, using plain language that is age-appropriate and still emotionally thoughtful.

A complex topic painted with care and told with empathy. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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