Do You Sing Twinkle?: A Story About Remarriage and New Family
“No one will ever replace you.” That necessary, primal reassurance closes this picture-book story narrated by a young boy who struggles with his feelings as he shuttles between his divorced parents’ homes. He aches for his mom, whom he sees every other weekend, and he resents his new stepsisters. At school, he acts out, prompting a teacher to call his dad, who helps the young narrator work through his complicated sorrow and anger. Together, his parents come up with solutions, such as bedtime stories read over the phone with mom, and the boy gradually begins to feel secure that he is loved in both homes. The story’s messages are overt and the tone is prescriptive, but the narrator’s frustrations and the way he expresses them are believable. Children working through similar circumstances may appreciate that the complex emotions are so clearly spelled out, and they’ll take heart from the small, concrete family gestures that make a big difference. A long closing note aimed at adults offers further suggestions for helping children cope with divorce and blended families. Preschool-Grade 2. --Gillian Engberg--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.