Mom, Dad, &
Everyone Else
Written and Illustrated by David
Dickerman
Crafty
Canuck Publishing
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, 2014
Reviewed by
Laura Harting
 |
| Image copyright 2013 Crafty Canuck and David Dickerman |
“In
the beginning, there was just Mom, Dad and Me.”
So begins this upbeat new book about divorce and remarriage. Written from the perspective of a young
child, this book addresses the changes that may occur after a divorce, when Mom
and Dad meet new partners and remarry.
This young child remembers what it was like when the family included
just the three of them and then goes on to share about how the family grew to
include step-parents, step-siblings, aunts, uncles, new neighbors, half
siblings and many more. With each new family
addition, this child has interesting new and enjoyable experiences. However,
important family traditions (like birthday parties) remain intact while
including more people and more fun.
This
is a good book for a young child, (pre-school and early elementary) whose
parents have begun to introduce new partners into their children’s lives. It focuses on the benefits of new family and
friends and the positive way new people can influence a child’s life. It is illustrated in a unique manner by using modeling
clay. It is not entirely clear whether
the child at the heart of the story is a boy or a girl. Though I like the
colorful pictures of the clay models, I found myself wondering, as I looked at
the pictures, “Why does everyone just have a head, and where are their bodies?” I would be interested to know if the children
who read this book wonder the same thing.
________________________________________
 |
| Laura Harting, LCSW, sees young clients at her office in Paoli, Pennsylvania. |
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