The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson illustrated by Garth Williams

Homeless man, Armand lives a rough but happy life in Paris. It is Winter and only a few days until Christmas. Armand discovers a family of three children have moved into his spot under the bridge. The children explain their mother has gone to work and that they can no longer afford the rent for their apartment. Suzy, the oldest child, invites Armand to join them. She even draws him his own space using a piece of coal. Armand is wary of becoming attached to the children. He calls them starlings and knows they could easily steal his heart if he is not careful.

The mother of the children is not happy to see the old man with her family. She tells him to leave the next morning but later that day Armand comes back to the children and in a truly special moment he takes them to a department store to meet Santa. The children have one wish - they want a house. Now Armand has a serious problem because how can this wish ever come true. He as assured the children Santa will find them under the bridge on Christmas morning buy their Christmas wish seems utterly impossible.

This book would  make a beautiful family read aloud at Christmas or perhaps if you are visiting Paris. 

Publisher blurb: "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 favourite 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 realise that he must do whatever it takes to get them a real home."

This book was first published over 60 years ago but it has honestly stood the test of time. I can easily see why The Family Under the Bridge was award a Newbery Honour in 1959. This book is still in print. Here is a review with more plot details.

Here in Australia you might need to talk about the term "hobo" - I think here this might be considered quite a derogatory or rude word. Armand is a homeless man. You could use other words such as drifter or perhaps a tramp; homeless or a street person.

If you want to talk further about people who live on our city streets try to find these:

Space Trevellers

The Old Man

I saw Pete and Pete saw me

For an older child try to find:

Night Bus Hero