The Family Under the Bridge, by Natalie Savage Carlson

(Paperback, 128 pages, first published in 1958)

The heartwarming and memorable Newbery Honor-winning book about finding family in the unlikeliest places, featuring artwork by beloved illustrator Garth Williams. 

This classic middle grade novel is a welcome and meaningful read, especially at Christmastime. Armand, an old man living on the streets of Paris, relishes his solitary life in the beautiful city. He is happy with his carefree existence, begging and doing odd jobs to keep himself warm and fed. With simple pleasures and no cares, what more could he need? Then one day just before Christmas, Armand returns to his favorite spot beneath the bridge to find three cold and hungry children. Although he has no interest in children, Armand soon finds himself caring for the small family. It does not take Armand very long to realize that he must do whatever it takes to get them a real home. 

Children will treasure this warm and funny adventure of family, freedom, and Santa Claus. The book includes illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White's Charlotte's Web and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. 

Storyglory Cautions: Since this book was published in the 1950s, it uses terms that either had a different meaning then or weren't considered offensive (e.g., hobo, tramp). There are also two mentions of a gypsy fortune teller offering to tell someone's fortune, but no fortune is told and the story moves on.

Recommended Age: 6+ See PluggedIn's review here.