This is the delightfully warm and enjoyable story of an old Parisian named Armand, who relished his solitary life. Children, he said, were like ... read full description
reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Majed
rated it: 
This book shows us an accurate example of change to better. It is about Armand he is a homeless living under some bridge in Paris. When he came back to his place to sleep one night, he found three little kids were playing in his his place. In the beginning he didn't like them. their mother left there (under the bridge) and went to work some where. Armand began to exploit those kids as a beggars to collect a money from people. But finally he loved those kids and try to find a respected job to get
More...
Nov 27, 2011
Ramanda
rated it: 
This book is about an old man who is homeless and loves his non job life and encounters a family that has become homeless too. He does not like the idea of sharing his spot under the bridge but does. He is coming home one day and sees two women leaving his little nook under the bridge. He rushed to see how the children were and they were upset because the ladies saif they were going to get the police. He got them up and moved them to a safe place which was with the gypsies. He goes back and gets
More...
Sep 05, 2011
Nicola
rated it:
Reason for Reading: read aloud to the 8yo
Comments: The Calcet family is homeless after their father dies and they take up residence under a bridge. Along comes Armand the hobo to find this family in his place. Armand is not particularly fond of children but they soon capture his heart and he finds himself looking after the children and the welfare of the family. The children wish for more than anything that Father Christmas will bring them a house for Christmas and Armand tries hard to More...
Comments: The Calcet family is homeless after their father dies and they take up residence under a bridge. Along comes Armand the hobo to find this family in his place. Armand is not particularly fond of children but they soon capture his heart and he finds himself looking after the children and the welfare of the family. The children wish for more than anything that Father Christmas will bring them a house for Christmas and Armand tries hard to More...
Mar 26, 2011
Heather
rated it: 
I read this last night in a little under an hour, so it's a short read. I really liked parts of it, but others bothered.
For the good, it was a sweet little story of a man changing his heart because of some children he met. I enjoyed the characters. While there wasn't a lot of time spent on their development, they were lovable and you wanted so badly for their lives to get better. It was nice to see how they stuck together and tried to stay together and keep cheerful even during t More...
For the good, it was a sweet little story of a man changing his heart because of some children he met. I enjoyed the characters. While there wasn't a lot of time spent on their development, they were lovable and you wanted so badly for their lives to get better. It was nice to see how they stuck together and tried to stay together and keep cheerful even during t More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 11, 2010
Sora
rated it:
The lovely book that is The Family Under the Bridge is simply wonderful. It's heart-warming and gentle as much as it is saddening and pitiful. Set in Paris, an old hobo by the name of Armand lived his everyday life undisturbed and going about as he pleased with no worries. Upon reaching a bridge he took shelter under on a cold, winter day, he spotted three little children and their dog. The children, dog, and mother had lost their home and resided under the bridge as well. As the days go by, the
More...
Sep 21, 2011
Kirei
rated it: 
My son and I both loved this book. The writing is wonderful and the illustrations by Garth Williams are darling.
The story begins with a hobo who does not like children. He returns home to his spot under a Paris bridge to find three children and their mother living there. It is a gentle book, but the theme is homelessness, which is always a difficult subject. Be prepared for lots of questions from your child.
It takes place during the days around Christmas, so you may want More...
The story begins with a hobo who does not like children. He returns home to his spot under a Paris bridge to find three children and their mother living there. It is a gentle book, but the theme is homelessness, which is always a difficult subject. Be prepared for lots of questions from your child.
It takes place during the days around Christmas, so you may want More...
Jul 09, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
One of the sweetest most charming books I have ever read. How I wish I would have found this when I was a girl. I would have loved it.
This is a story of some wonderful little French children who are hard on their luck and "living rough" when they encounter a bum who trys to be grumpy and unloving but falls in love with the little family. We follow them through Christmas all the way up to New Year.
The story is not an overly bleak look at homelessness (i More...
This is a story of some wonderful little French children who are hard on their luck and "living rough" when they encounter a bum who trys to be grumpy and unloving but falls in love with the little family. We follow them through Christmas all the way up to New Year.
The story is not an overly bleak look at homelessness (i More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 14, 2009
Sasha
rated it:
Best part of the whole book:
"'To think we have fallen so low,' wept the woman. 'My children at home with gypsies.'
'What is wrong with gypsies?' asked Arman. 'Why do you think you are better? Are you kinder? Are you more generous?'
'I'm honest.' murmured the woman through her scarf.'
'What good does it do to be honest if you aren't kind and generous?' he asked. Then in a softer tone he said, 'You may think them thieves and wanderers, madame, b More...
"'To think we have fallen so low,' wept the woman. 'My children at home with gypsies.'
'What is wrong with gypsies?' asked Arman. 'Why do you think you are better? Are you kinder? Are you more generous?'
'I'm honest.' murmured the woman through her scarf.'
'What good does it do to be honest if you aren't kind and generous?' he asked. Then in a softer tone he said, 'You may think them thieves and wanderers, madame, b More...
Jan 13, 2008
Lauren
rated it:
If you want a funny book and maybe a sad book that will make you think you should read this book.
I learned that some people dont relize thast homeless people are happy like the way they are. And some people dont want homeless people in the world or walking around Paris.
I learned that some people dont relize thast homeless people are happy like the way they are. And some people dont want homeless people in the world or walking around Paris.
Jul 05, 2011
A timeless heartwarmer and Newbery Honor book, this story of a Parisian hobo whose life is turned upside down by the appearance of three young children and their mother under the bridge he calls home, is a beautiful story about the power of love. Many of the most poignant details of the story are sure to be missed by the ostensible target audience, but appreciated by the grown-ups. While the main characters are all homeless, or transient gypsies, they are all represented as decent, honorable peo
More...
Dec 10, 2011
Jan
rated it:
A sweet, old-fashioned Christmas story that is set in Paris in the mid-1900s. Armand, an elderly homeless man, was perfectly contented with his life. All his belongings fit into a baby stroller, and his home under a bridge was protected from the wind and weather. So he was not at all pleased to come home one day and find three small children huddled in the corner that he called home. He wanted to ignore them, but soon he found himself worrying about them. When a grouchy old man finds himself car
More...
Apr 10, 2009
Josiah
rated it:
I could see why this volume would be elected a Newbery Honor book in 1959 (though I can also see how Elizabeth George Speare's "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" won the award; nothing was going to beat that book this year). Natalie Savage Carlson constructs some beautiful and poignant moments in the pages of The Family Under the Bridge, creating a story with flawed characters with whom it is easy to sympathize, and bringing forth a simplicity in the flow of narration that will appeal to a
More...
Jun 04, 2009
Shannon
rated it:
It may sound odd to say that a book about a Parisian homeless man trying to keep three homeless children from being separated by their mother is charming, but it really is. Not that it's entirely unrealistic; the characters experience danger, the contempt of others, the worries of living in the open. But the writing is witty and the main character is a sweet old curmudgeon with a philosophical outlook. I was pre-reading this for my 5-year-old and I think I'll wait for a couple years to give it t
More...
Oct 30, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
My daughter gives this 5 stars. I would give it 4 1/2.
The Family Under the Bridge is a romantic, gentle, and sadly sweet story of and old hobo and the family he comes to love. Armand is a happy, homeless, curmudgeon, who finds he will be in for some new adventures. Winter is approaching and fate has dropped three small children and their dog into his favorite living space under the bridge. What to do? We are introduced to the under-world of Paris in the late 50's. There are hob More...
The Family Under the Bridge is a romantic, gentle, and sadly sweet story of and old hobo and the family he comes to love. Armand is a happy, homeless, curmudgeon, who finds he will be in for some new adventures. Winter is approaching and fate has dropped three small children and their dog into his favorite living space under the bridge. What to do? We are introduced to the under-world of Paris in the late 50's. There are hob More...
Feb 24, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 28, 2011
Trace
rated it:
I loved the overarching themes of love, friendship and sacrifice that are portrayed in this book.
What I didn't love were the few instances where lying and stealing were portrayed as being acceptable because the characters were down on their luck and homeless. This DID however spark a little conversation between my son and I on what we would do if we found ourselves without a home....
Overall - a cute little book. Luke says his favorite part was when Armand adopted the More...
What I didn't love were the few instances where lying and stealing were portrayed as being acceptable because the characters were down on their luck and homeless. This DID however spark a little conversation between my son and I on what we would do if we found ourselves without a home....
Overall - a cute little book. Luke says his favorite part was when Armand adopted the More...
Aug 28, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
I've seen this book listed on lots of favorite books lists, but I guess I just wasn't as wowed by it as others. It was a sweet story of a French hobo who takes a little family under his wings as they are forced to live on the streets (and under a bridge) after the father/husband's death. Through the course of the book, the crusty hobo learns to care for the family and helps them out.
A sweet story ... not my favorite I've ever read, but still sweet.
A sweet story ... not my favorite I've ever read, but still sweet.
Apr 09, 2011
Therese
rated it:
An interesting story told at an early reading level (4th to 5th grade); however, I don't think it's a timeless story or a story that an American kid today could relate to or find that entertaining. It was published in the late 50s and is set in Paris sometime in the 40s or early 50s. It does provide a picture of what it would be like to be homeless during this time period but it just seems too formula/happy ever after ending.
Feb 02, 2010
Tarissa
rated it:
Armand, an old hobo, lives in the olden days of Paris. In the freezing cold of December, he finds a small helpless family, and he surely can't leave them to fend for themselves. Grudgingly, he takes them in. He doesn't want to feel responsible for these 'starlings', as he calls the young children... but Armand immediately realizes that he must protect his soft heart before the children nuzzle their way into it.
Together, this small bunch concocts their own simple Christmas festivitie More...
Together, this small bunch concocts their own simple Christmas festivitie More...
Sep 04, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
Ahhh . . . Paris in the early-20th century. Throw in an old hobo named Armand, three young homeless children and their mother, and a pack of gypsies, and you're bound to have an entertaining story. Is it any wonder why it was a 1959 Newbery honor book? At 97 pages, it's a quick read with some cute moments, a few laughs, a solid message, and a single tear at the end. That's good enough for me.
Sep 29, 2010
John
rated it:
A hobo in Paris befriends three young children and their mom. Although he is reluctant at first, they win him over and he helps them along the way. If this were a novel by Charles Dickens, there would be trouble ahead. But this is a children's story by Natalie Savage Carlson, so things turn out pretty much OK. I'm thinking of reading this with my reading partner, who is in fourth grade this year.
Sep 11, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
A 100-page Newbery honor book you could read in an hour or so. As an adult, it's a watered-down look at homelessness. As though all a "hobo" needs is someone to open his heart and he will gladly find a legitimate job. But, why be so jaded? A child might enjoy the French gypsies, living under a bridge, singing for change -- in a romantic sense. And it all turns out for the best in the end.
Dec 29, 2011
Christy
rated it:
This was a sweet story of friendship, love, and not judging a book by its cover. The hobo in this story is used to life on his own until a family "moves" into his area under the bridge. He quickly finds himself feeling grandfatherly and begins doing everything he can to help this family get back on their feet. You can find a lot to talk about with others after reading this book.
Feb 26, 2009
Linzi
rated it:
Genre: Chapter book
Reading Level: grade 4-6
Topics & Themes: Homelessness, poverty, Christmas
Curricular Use:read aloud, independent reading, shared reading
Social: Homelessness, struggles
Literary Elements: Symbolism
Text & Pictures: There are only a few pictures within this book. The pictures are all in black and white and truly express the meaning that the author is trying to get across to the reader.
Reading Level: grade 4-6
Topics & Themes: Homelessness, poverty, Christmas
Curricular Use:read aloud, independent reading, shared reading
Social: Homelessness, struggles
Literary Elements: Symbolism
Text & Pictures: There are only a few pictures within this book. The pictures are all in black and white and truly express the meaning that the author is trying to get across to the reader.
Dec 28, 2011
Ina
rated it:
it's nearly christmas when an old hobo named armand found 3 children occupying his favorite spot for winter under the bridge in paris. they're homeless and their mother have to go to work at a laundry to feed them. at first, armand tried to dislike the children but soon he found them already attached to his soft old heart
Jan 10, 2012
April
rated it:
Armand, a hobo in Paris, finds three children and they quickly adopt him as their Grandpapa, even though he complains he is not a family man. He takes them to visit Father Christmas and they ask for a home for Christmas. The children, their mother and their dog finds a place in his heart.
97 pages
97 pages
Dec 14, 2011
Shauna
rated it:
This is a charming tale for Christmastime about a hobo in early-mid 20th century Paris, who befriends some children who are also homeless, and how both enrich the others' lives by changing attitudes, perspectives, and ambitions. Perfect for a read-aloud to children (I think you'll like it Melissa).
Dec 11, 2011
Katie
rated it:
This book is about a homeless man who lives under a bridge, as the title suggests. One day upon returning "home" he finds a mother with her three children have taken his spot. The story continues with the struggles they face and their survival.
I would use this book to talk about diversity and acceptance.
I would use this book to talk about diversity and acceptance.
Dec 08, 2009
Abby
rated it:
This was probably my first favorite book as a child. Also the first book to ignite in me an insatiable wanderlust. What's not to love - Christmas in Paris, hoboes, and gypsies, Notre Dame glowing, and roasted chestnuts. I recently reread this for nostalgia. As warm as I remembered it to be.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
