Aunt Pearl by Monica Kulling, Irene Luxbacher - ADVISABLE

Aunt Pearl by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. PICTURE BOOK. Groundwood Books, 2019. $19. 9781773061535

BUYING ADVISORY:  EL (K-3), EL- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Aunt Pearl had no home of her own.  She sometimes slept on a friend’s couch.  Sometime she slept on city benches.  Mom said, “That’s not how it should be. Pearl will live with us.”  Dan and Marta were excited to meet their Aunt Pearl.  She arrived pushing a shopping cart filled with all her worldly goods.  Marta and Dan soon find that their Aunt is somewhat strange and different.  She is nothing like their mom.  She doesn’t keep things organized, she has too many possessions and most of those are broken or torn.  Marta takes a liking to her Aunt Pearl and her joins her aunt in looking for treasures in other people’s trash bins. Mom is patient but stands her ground on allowing any of the items into the house.  Aunt Pearl suffers from some emotional disabilities and eventually leaves their home.  Mom, Marta and Dan will “miss Aunt Pearl on garbage days, and every other day, too.”

Aunt Pearl brings understanding and sensitivity to the topic of homelessness.  Filled with misunderstanding then understanding, questions then knowledge, fear then love, Aunt Pearl helps readers to catch a glimpse into the lives of not only the homeless but into the lives of those who love and miss them.  The story is perfectly written.  The illustrations are stunning.  Aunt Pearl should be on every classroom shelf to help broaden awareness of homeless persons and how we might help those in need.

Reviewer: SL