More Us - by Elizabeth Withey (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this sweet picture-book follow-up to The One with the Scraggly Beard, a boy is happy that his uncle is moving in with him and his mom after years of living on the streets.

Book Synopsis

★ "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

Review Quotes

★ "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."

About the Author

Elizabeth Withey is a Canadian author, journalist and visual artist. Her first book, The One with the Scraggly Beard, is a story about homelessness inspired by family experiences. She is also the author of the picture book Ins and Outs and More Us. Elizabeth lives in Calgary with her son, her brother, a calico cat and a very silly whippet.

Ellen Rooney is an award-winning designer, artist and children's book illustrator. Her textural mixed media artwork combines many traditional art techniques, like pencil drawing, painting, printmaking and collage, often combined with digital techniques. She is the winner of the 2021 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize for Grandmother School. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in the southern Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.