Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, Kathy Parkinson (Illustrator)

Overview

One sad day, Mama and Daddy Bear say they are getting a divorce. Daddy won't live at home anymore. Dinah is scared and sad. She wonders if she'll ever see Daddy again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807552223
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	01/01/1998
Series:	Concept Books Series
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	111,504
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.09(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

Dinah has three favorite people-her mama, daddy, and big sister Ruth. The four enjoyed many family activities together, such as going to the beach, taking walks and making bread. Then one day Mama and Daddy said they were going to get a divorce. This made Dinah very sad until she realized that, although her life will be different in many ways, both mama and daddy still love her very much. This story of divorce, as seen through Dinah's eyes, is written for young children in simple language. The colorful illustrations add to the appeal of the book. The book begins with a note to grown-ups on how best to explain divorce to the very young. A good book for anyone facing divorce with young children.

Children's Literature - Mary Hamilton

PreS-Gr 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

School Library Journal

"A sensitive book that should have wide use."

Booklist

"Parkinson's watercolors effectively convey the story's message."

The Horn Book Guide

From the Publisher