A Guide for Changing
Families
By Laurie Krasny Brown
and Marc Brown
Little, Brown and
Company
New York
1986, 2009
1986, 2009
Reviewed by Laura Harting
This is one
of my all-time favorite books about divorce.
Written for the elementary school age child, it gives the child needed
and helpful information about divorce in practical, easy-to-understand
language. The illustrations are funny
and cute. The dinosaur characters give the child reading the book the emotional
distance that allows him or her to better integrate the information.
This book covers
all the bases, from the time of separation to the time of remarriage. It
includes a discussion of topics that matter most to kids: why parents divorce,
how to handle moving, adjusting to living in separate residences, expressing feelings,
continuing to love both parents, becoming accustomed to dating, step-parents, step-siblings, and half siblings. The authors write simply and offer just
enough information – not too little and not too much.
The children
I counsel who have read this book like it and find it very helpful. It often
answers their questions, clears up their misunderstandings, and encourages them
to ask more questions. A third grader
can read this book alone. A child younger than third grade can read this book with
some adult help. A glossary of terms
near the beginning helps children learn the new vocabulary of divorce.
The authors
of this book got it just right. If you only read one book with your
elementary school child about divorce, read this one. However, I don’t recommend
reading only one book. Every child is different and different books will
resonate with each child differently. Your goal is to give your child
information and a voice to talk with you about divorce.
Laura Harting, LCSW, is a child and family therapist in Downingtown,
Pennsylvania.
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