Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce (Albert Whitman Prairie Books (Paperback)) - Softcover

Cornelia Maude Spelman is a writer, artist, and former social worker who has written about the importance of emotions in the lives of children and families. Her "The Way I Feel" series of picture books for young children is about recognizing and managing emotions and forming healthy, happy relationships. Her books also help children cope with difficult situations such as death and divorce, and help parents educate their children about protecting themselves from unwanted touch. Her books have been called "sensitive," "compassionate," "gentle," "reassuring," and "understanding."

PreSchool-Grade 1-This book provides reassurance that, as painful and confusing as a divorce may be, it does not mean that both parents will no longer be part of a youngster's life. In a series of short sentences, readers learn about Dinah's favorite people (her mama, her daddy, and her big sister); her favorite activities; and her favorite things (her stuffed rabbit and her red sandals). The words used to describe the divorce and what it means are carefully chosen, and the expressions on the bear characters' faces are appropriately sad. However, the message of this book is that life goes on. And so, while Dinah misses Daddy when she is with her mother, and misses Mama when she is with her father, some things, including her stuffed animal and red sandals, remain the same. The family celebrates some special occasions together, such as Dinah's birthday, and the youngster realizes that her parents and her sister love her very much. In a note to adults, Spelman outlines children's concerns about divorce. The large, appealing colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations support both the tone and the goal of the text. Brigitte Weninger's Good-Bye, Daddy! (North-South, 1995), Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown's Dinosaurs Divorce (Atlantic Monthly, 1986), Linda Walvoord Girard's At Daddy's on Saturdays (Albert Whitman, 1987), and Fred Rogers's Divorce (Putnam, 1996) are also appropriate for this audience. Add Spelman's title where needed.
Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City
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