Major Selling Points - Deals realistically with homelessness, which is of concern to communities of all sizes across the United States. The recent downturn in the economy-with its loss of jobs and homes-has caused an increase in homelessness and heightened awareness of this pervasive situation. - Presents a real-life dilemma of a child torn between his wish to buy something for himself and his desire to do something for a person in need. The story is a contemporary take on the old adage "it is better to give than to receive." - Depicts unselfish acts of kindness that transcend age, economic circumstances, and cultural boundaries. - Includes the sport of skateboarding, which is very popular among youngsters under the age of eighteen; about three-quarters of those who skateboard are boys. - Shows additional positive effects of recycling programs, both in providing some livelihood for a homeless person as well as a means of earning money for a child whose parents cannot afford to buy him something that he wants. - Features a biracial child in an African-Asian American family, lending subtle diversity to the story that is reflective of a growing number of today's families. - Ties in with the "Time, Continuity, and Change," "People, Places, and Environments," and "Individual Development and Identity" strands of the Social Studies Curriculum Standards. (source: NCSS Standards publication). Comparative Books - A Chance to Shine by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Tricycle, 2006, $16.95, ISBN 978-1582461670). After a boy's father hires a homeless man to sweep the sidewalk each morning, the boy begins to learn about helping, sharing, giving, understanding, and differences. - The Teddy Bear by David McPhail (Dial, 2002, paperback 2005, $7.99, ISBN 978-0805078824). A boy's lost teddy bear is found by a homeless man, who cares for it. When the child finds out how much the bear means to the man, he lets him keep the toy. - A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning, illustrated by Elaine Pedlar (Children's Book Press, 2004, $16.95, ISBN 978-0892391899). After her father dies, Zettie and her mother leave Jamaica for an uncertain future in the United Sates. Zettie's mother can't find a steady job so they are forced to live in their car. - The Lady in the Box by Ann McGovern, illustrated by Marni Backer (Turtle Books, 1999, $17.95, ISBN 978-1890515010). A modern story about reaching out to those who live on the streets. The book is true to a child's inclinations for helping the less fortunate and has a reasonableness about how much people can help the homeless better their lives. - Someplace to Go by Maria Testa, illustrated by Karen Ritz (Albert Whitman, 1996, ISBN 978-0807575246). A young boy describes how he spends his time after school trying to keep safe and warm until he can meet his mother and older brother when the shelter opens at eight o'clock. - Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Clarion, 1991, $16.00, ISBN 978-0395559628). A realistic look at the plight of the homeless, telling the tale of a boy and his father living in a busy airport.

>by School Library Journal


"The lengthy text describes the homeless man's situation without judgment, and Tim's parents don't pressure him to stop encroaching on Mr. Peters's turf, leaving him free to make his own decisions. The large illustrations, rendered in oil, depict an urban neighborhood of shops and multiethnic apartment dwellers. Pair the book with Ann McGovern's The Lady in the Box (Turtle, 1997) to help students consider the human face of homelessness."


by Publishers Weekly


"In Williams's (The Best Winds) poignant story, Tim wants a skateboard badly, but money is tight. Watching a homeless man everyone calls the Can Man (except Tim's parents, who remember when he used to live in their building and still call him by name) collect cans to redeem for cash, Tim decides to do the same to bankroll his skateboard. As he encroaches on the man's turf, Tim suppresses flashes of guilt—especially when the man says he hopes to buy a new coat "before the snow starts flying." After the Can Man offers his shopping cart to help Tim transport his cans to the redemption center, the boy hands him the money he's made. In an emotional final scene, Tim receives a skateboard that the Can Man has refurbished and personalized for him. Orback's (Hot Pursuit: Murder in Mississippi) realistic oil paintings on canvas bring the tale's urban setting into clear focus in warmly lit scenes that illuminate the characters' feelings—notably Tim's unease and his beneficiary's gratitude—and readily transmit the weighty themes at work."


by Booklist


"The spare dialogue rings true, and the full-page oil paintings have a quiet realism reminiscent of

Edward Hopper in scenes of Tim's close multiracial family indoors and the Can Man alone outside. A humanizing story that reaches beyond easy messages."

LAURA E. WILLIAMS is the author of numerous award-winning picture books and middle grade novels. Born in South Korea and adopted by an American family, Williams has since lived and traveled all over the world. The inspiration for The Can Man came from a man Williams often saw collecting cans, which he stored in an old shopping cart. She and her husband live in Farmington, Connecticut.

CRAIG ORBACK is a fine artist who has illustrated many highly praised books for children, several of which focus on historical subjects. The Can Man especially appealed to Orback because of its contemporary topic and setting. In addition to creating fine art and illustrations, Orback teaches children's book illustration and oil painting at local community colleges. He lives near Seattle, Washington.