Book Review: "When My Parents Forgot How to Be Friends"

Moore, Jennifer. Illustrated by Fabrega, Marta."When My Parents Forgot How to Be Friends". Hauppauge New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 2005.

This is a great book that can be used as a tool to use with children who are dealing with parental separation or divorce. The author, Jennifer Moore- Mallinos does an excellent job acknowledging some of the concerns and anxieties she had as a child in order to help families adjust to changes within family composition. I really enjoy the progression of the characters emotions, beginning with how things were once good in the characters, which remains nameless, home. As her father moves out, the author addresses the idea that children often feel guilty for the separation that occurs between parents in a way that is honest and to the point. She is quick to write about the parent’s efforts to comfort the girl and remind her that despite the change, both her mother and father still love and care for her very much. In the end, the character is comfortable with the situation and enjoys spending time with both parents. The illustrations by Marta Fabrega add to the sensitive but positive tone to the book in that they are done with watercolors outlined in charcoal pencil. She used warm colors that grab the eye as well as a pattern of two cut-out people one each page to make the book more inviting and focus the young readers. I really enjoyed this book and thought that there was a sense of simplicity that captured the thoughts of a child as they deal with divorce in their home and adjust to their new family units.