Elizabeth Withey – författare

It’s all about ins and outs!

While a person sleeps inside, a cat climbs out of the open window. Next, a child sits on the swings outside in an empty school playground, but they get picked up and are inside their parent's truck, happy and warm.

As this nearly wordless picture book progresses, the ideas of in and out get expanded to the surprising, the hilarious and the heartwarming. Readers will enjoy trying to guess before the page-flip what exactly each in or out is referring to and take up the playful challenge to look more closely and not make assumptions. A clever picture book with minimal text for kids who enjoy puzzles and think outside the box.

★ “Soft, warm hues fill each page, underscoring the warmth of a family that is big enough to welcome ‘more us’ while also honoring Uncle Gray’s agency. A sensitive and powerful look at a complex topic. Recommended for all collections.” — School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

The day has come—Uncle Gray is finally moving in!

His nephew stands waiting for him out on the porch, and when Uncle Gray arrives, the boy is surprised his uncle only has one little backpack. Uncle Gray has been living on the streets for years, and the boy remembers how he and his mom used to go driving to look for him, especially during the winter. Sometimes they'd find him in his tent, with ice in his beard. He was always glad to see them. Now that Uncle Gray is ready to move in, he'll have his own cozy room, and the boy is glad to know they won't have to go looking to check if he's okay. Because he'll be right downstairs.

This gentle and compassionate story about an unhoused family member is based on the author's family experience and is a follow-up to the story told in The One with the Scraggly Beard. Also available in French as Plus de nous.

Praise for The One with the Scraggly Beard:

“A complex topic painted with care and told with empathy.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A powerful book…Models what respect and human dignity looks like for all community members.” —Toronto Star