Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce ANNOTATION
Dinah Bear feels sad and scared when her parents say they are going to divorce.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The author of "After Charlotte's Mom Died" explores the topic of divorce in this story of the Bear family. One sad day, Mama and Daddy say they are getting a divorce, and Dinah is scared. But when Daddy moves into his new home, Dinah and her sister Ruth visit him on weekends and Dinah still takes walk with Daddy like she used to. Full color.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Mary Hamilton
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.
School Library Journal
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
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