Lily and the Paper Man—Book Review
I really didn’t need another public library book. I already had a review title halfway read, a church library book halfway read, a Victorian novel halfway read, and a musical instruction book halfway read—not to mention the book on magazine writing on the living room sidetable, and the copy of The Old Schoolhouse in the bathroom. But at the end of the day, I’m not a person who can return library books without taking more out! And hence, Lily and the Paper Man, which ended up in my bag this afternoon!
Book Details
- Title: Lily and the Paper Man
- Author: Rebecca Upjohn (Illustrated by Renné Benoit)
- Publisher: Second Story Press
- Genre: Picture Book
- Number of Pages: 24
- Theme: Compassion and Helping Others
- Age Range: 6+ (See Items of Note)
- Source: Amazon
Summary
When Lily first meets the paper man, on the way home from school one rainy afternoon, she is frightened by his gruff voice and uninviting appearance. In fact, Lily goes out of her way to avoid the paper man as completely as she can.
But when the first snow opens Lily’s eyes to a new side of the paper man’s life, she is faced with a haunting problem. Surely there must be something she can do to help . . .
This beautifully illustrated picture book tackles head-on an issue that even grown-ups like to squirm away from, as it brings us a straightforward reminder that our comfort and prosperity is also a calling—a calling to reach out and bring love and care to the homeless and suffering in our world.
SAW Rating System
Total—73/100
Great Qualities—36/50
Plot Development—8/10
Character Development—6/10
Command of Language—6/10
Impact of the book—8/10
Originality—8/10
Good Qualities—37/50
Innocence regarding evil—7/10
Active promotion of good—10/10
Level of spiritual challenge—9/10
Healthy view of life—6/10
Honouring God—5/10
Items of Note
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Romance and morality
No issues.
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Disturbing content
A homeless newspaper man, suffering from the cold, plays a large role in the story.
The heroine chooses to give a favourite quilt from her grandmother to help him, at first struggling with sadness at parting with it, but finding the situation resolved by the man’s smile.
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Language
No issues.
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Alcohol and drug use (includes tobacco)
No issues.
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Spiritual content
This story is not written from a religious perspective, but its strong message about reaching out to the suffering is very much in harmony with a Christian worldview.
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Family roles and behavior
Child drags parents out of bed in the morning.
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Mature subject matter
This story revolves around relating to those who are homeless and suffering with mercy and compassion. For the sake of child protection, I would caution that the book is best suited for reading to children who already have a healthy concept of safe practices in relating to strangers, because it is a little weak in modeling this area. (For instance, the heroine introduces herself by name to a paper seller she has initially feared, but since come to pity.)
Reading Lily and the Paper Man
In reviewing this book, I kept asking myself whether Lily and the Paper Man was a story that would make children sad. I think the answer might depend on just how much commitment you—the grown-up—are willing to put into the experience!
Lily and the Paper Man is essentially a call to action. It is a story to open your child’s eyes to the less fortunate people they meet. It’s a call to do something about the suffering in the lives that touch your own.
Lily and the Paper Man isn’t a book to just read. It’s a book to use as a springboard for reaching out into your own community.
Looking for more great picture books to help your child explore the world around them? See our previous review:
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