Do You Sing Twinkle?: A Story about Remarriage and New Family

by Sandra Levins, Bryan Langdo (Illustrator)

Overview

Mom has a new family! She has a new husband who is not my dad, and worst of all, new kids. Girls! Just as it feels for the young child in Do You Sing Twinkle? living apart from a parent can be a hard adjustment for kids. And, when that parent remarries and has stepchildren, things can get really confusing for kids! Told from a young boy's point of view, the book sensitively addresses many questions that children may have while adjusting to remarriage and joint-custody situations. Kids and parents will learn good and easy ways to stay connected all around helping kids to feel special and loved. A "Note to Parents" is included that will help parents talk to their children and deal with common but difficult emotions as they adjust to all the changes in their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433805394
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	08/15/2009
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Sandra Levins lives in Burlington, Iowa, with her husband and two adolescent stepsons, the inspiration for her stories. As a remarried mom and stepparent, Sandra has seen the hurt and confusion that happens when kids share a parent with a new family. Her ever-growing family includes adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. She sings "Twinkle" to them all. Sandra is also the author of Was It the Chocolate Pudding? A Story For Little Kids About Divorce.

Bryan Langdo has illustrated nearly twenty books as well as various magazine spots. He spends his days with his kids, playing with cars, running around the yard, or going to the science museum. He lives in a very old house in upstate New York with his wife, Nikki, and their two kids, Oliver and Harper.

Editorial Reviews

A boy and his younger brother spend time with their divorced parents. Then his mother remarries and moves out of town. Her new family has two little girls. The boys visit every other weekend. When the boys visit, the older boy is jealous as his mother gives attention to the girls. When the boys return to their father, it is late and they miss story time. The older boy is angry and has a bad day at school. The mother sends books to the two boys and reads to them over the phone. She sends them a calendar with their schedule marked on it. She also sends an e-mail. When she comes to get them the next time, she comes alone so they can have quality time. She tells them that their uncle is her stepbrother. She explains about common ground. "Common ground is the grown-up word for finding a way so that you both feel comfortable." Mom explains that the girls are put to bed only by their father. The boy feels better that their bedtime routine, which includes Mom singing "Twinkle," is special. The colored illustrations show the emotions involved. Jane Annunziata, PsyD. a clinical psychologist, has written an extensive note to parents which gives further information and coping mechanisms. The first sentence of the story erroneously uses "me" as the subject. This book is published by the American Psychological Association and will be helpful in remarriage and new family situations. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman

Children's Literature - Carlee Hallman