Living with Mum and Living with Dad: My Two Homes

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Written & illustrated by Melanie Walsh
Walker Books 2012, this edition 2013
Reviewed copy from my resource shelf at work.

Back of book:
My mum and dad don't live together any more so sometimes I live with my mum and sometimes with my dad.
A book about separation for very young children.
"A warm and reassuring way to explain a difficult situation, with bold vivid illustrations." -parentsintouch.co.uk

See below for more about this book....

Mommy, Mama, and Me

Written by Leslea Newman
Illustrated by Carol Thompson
Tricycle Press 2009
ISBN 978-1-58246-263-9
                                                                             

'Mommy, Mama and Me' is a rhyming board book which describes typical day-to-day, family interactions in the home of child with same sex parents. 
(check out 'Daddy, Papa, and Me' from the same duo)

In warm water colours, fifteen parent and child interactions are shared in 'Mommy, Mama, and Me'

Told from a toddler's point of view, the book describes familiar parent and child activities like- sharing a book together, having snuggles, preparing meals or going to the park. Every child who experiences nurturing, care and love will relate to the family experiences described in the book. 

Mommy gently combs my hair. Mama rocks me in her chair.
Missus B's Picture Book Reviews: 'Mommy, Mama, and Me'

The story is told in rhyming text, each line directly corresponding with an image. Simple and predictable, it is perfect for a read-a-loud story time. 

In short:
'Mommy, Mama, and Me' describes a loving and warm family unit, with interactions and activities that every child may be familiar with. It shows how the principles of parental love are universal, no matter what the make up of a family may be.
If you want to represent diverse family types, or the non-traditional, this book is a must for your class-room collection.

Happy reading,
Missus B.                                                     

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'Little Monster Did It'

A new baby and a little monster under one roof can mean only one thing- trouble!

Book Details

Author/Illustrator: Helen Cooper

First published in 1995, this edition 2007 by Picture Corgi Books (library copy)

Reviewed copy from my personal library


Book Description:
There's a new baby brother in Amy's house....and that new cuddly toy her parents gave her just can't keep himself from being naughty!

This  story beautifully illustrates how a new baby may result in behaviour changes for older children and/or their teddies!

Amy, the narrator describes stinky nappies, baby wailing, restless nights and busy parents. Neither she, nor Little Monster is happy….and we see both getting up to plenty of mischief! Amy's excuse? -'Little Monster Did it'  (every...single...time)

Disillusioned with this wailing, pooping, time-consuming sibling, she wonders aloud if the baby could be given back......
Mum then asks Amy what might baby do all on his own?Now that's a serious question and Amy  starts to wonder....... 
Deep in thought, she visualises her little brother alone on a raft, drifting away and exposed to danger. Oh the guilt she suddenly feels! 

On reflection, Amy realises that she really does care for this little man and she discovers that playing with him and reading stories is fun. But, oh dear, jealousy can linger and Little Monster has one more episode of naughtiness, deciding to create some chaos in the kitchen. FED UP with his shenanigans, Mum and Dad finally  say 'Little Monster has to go…..Right Now!’

There's only one thing for it- HIDE!!

We see Amy and Little Monster scurrying through the house, until they find the best place of all- in the cot with baby (now that's clever- Bravo Amy! Or- probably Monster.)  With baby happily playing with his cute new toy-how could Mum and Dad be so cruel as to take Little Monster away? Even better- Amy gets brownie points for 'sharing'

 At last, Amy's good behaviour is rewarded with a story and a cuddle with Mum and Dad. Meanwhile... upstairs, we see that crafty look on Little Monster's face, as he and  baby are playing with crayons. Oh dear....he really is a Little Monster.


Why I like this book:
While it’s been 20 years since it’s first publication, the story line in 'Little Monster’ is a timeless one. The illustrations are a delight – the striking resemblance between Amy, Mum & her little brother, the frazzled and stressed faces of Mum and Dad, the wailing baby faces and the leering expressions of Amy or Little Monster when naughty stuff is going on. Helen Cooper captures it all- we can see the worried, almost guilty expression of Amy when she visualises her brother all alone, and the unsure face of baby as he drifts away on a floating raft, dressed just in his nappy.

The child reader sees that Little Monster certainly is the leader in all this naughty business…he breaks the video player* , overflows the bathroom, opens the hot-water-bottle wetting the bed etc. At the same time, Amy is always there with him, either doing the same thing, or watching close by……maybe they are equal partners in crime?!

A funny story, with a sweet ending and a book that comes full circle- Amy feels upset about changes at home, resents her little brother, but comes to love him and enjoy him in the end. And , the sight of baby snuggled with Little Monster, results in Amy getting some much wanted Mummy & Daddy time.

This is a lovely story to read to a child when a new sibling has arrived at home- they will relate to much of the general activities- busy parents, crying baby, sleepless nights. More importantly, in my opinion, its a lovely book for a parent to read at this same time- it can give a parent a chance to reflect on how family change can impact on a young child, and can be a subtle reminder that it’s definitely worth investing in together time with older siblings!

*Okay, the 20 years show just a little…

I think that overall, the illustrations and story line are pretty much timeless, but  your child may ask you about the video/vcr!

And they may wonder about the very large rectangular black object in the kitchen scene…


It’s probably one of these…..

http://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/sony_tokyo/cfd_60l_673482.jpg

Happy reading! 

Missus B

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Helen Cooper writes about ‘Little Monster Did It’
A lovely inside scoop from Helen Cooper- read how she planned the writing and illustrating of this delightful story HERE

'Little Lucy's Family'

A story about adoption


'Little Lucy's  Family : A Story About Adoption
Written by Eleanor Gormally
Illustrated by Orla Roche

Reviewed edition:Veritas Publications 2006
ISBN 1 85390 997 1
Pages: 32 (library copy)

Also published by ACTA Publications (1 Sept 2008)
ISBN-10: 0879463732 ISBN-3: 978-0879463731


Back of Book:
Little Lucy's Family is the story of a little girl and how her family came about. It tells how Lucy's Mum and Dad travelled all the way to Russia to adopt her, how they brought her to their home and how together they became a happy family. 


This is a heart warming story about an adopted child, based on the Irish authors own experience of adopting her daughter.

The illustrations are colourful and quirky, with some lovely patterned details. Lucy's  'crazy' pet rabbit is a mischievous character and an enjoyable constant in the book (he appears on most pages.)  The characters have a marionette like appearance, which I can't quite make up my mind about. On one hand, the actions and body movements of the characters are quite expressive, while on the other - the faces seem to lack expression and emotion. At times, I felt they were even a little on the creepy side. But, what's creepy for me, may be quirky for you!

The  story is narrated by a young child Lucy, who is the central character. She opens with: 'My Dad says: There are lots and lots of different kinds of families in the world. My Mum says: There are lots and lots of different ways to make a family. I say: My family is really special!'

Lucy then goes on to explain that, when she was 8 months old, she was adopted from Russia. She says her parents 'couldn't have babies like other Dads and Mums' and that a television program about a children's home in Russia inspired them to begin the adoption process.

Lucy's personal story teaches the reader about the many aspects of adoption.

Lucy explains that she calls her birth parents 'my Babouskas', because like the Russian dolls, she came from inside her birth Mum.

She explains the difference between an adoptive parent and a birth parent. She talks about the reasons why a parent may be unable to keep a baby e.g. due to poverty, a lack of support or illness. Lucy fondly describes her parent's trip to Russia to meet her and their joy when the process was complete. We hear about the warm discussion between Lucy and her parents regarding her journey back to Ireland and Lucy says that this lovely account of her adoption (as told by her parents) is 'my favourite not-found-in-a-book story.'

Lucy has some peers in school who are also adopted and we hear a little about her friend Jin's experience of transracial adoption. Jin's keeps a personal  life story book which is a written account of her life before she was adopted.  She has visited China and the community of her birth and Lucy expresses a desire to make her own cultural connections with Russia.

The story deals with some of the emotional difficulties an adopted child may experience. Lucy has unanswered questions about her identity and she carries some feelings of loss. The author has captured these big emotions in simple, yet profound language.

'I sometimes wonder what my birth Mum and birth Dad thought when they saw me for the first time. I wonder what I was like!' 
'I feel sad because my birth Mum and birth Dad didn't keep me. I wonder did they love me. Sometimes I get angry and all confused and don't know what to think. Sometimes I feel kind of lonely like a bit of me is missing.'

Lucy  wonders if she may look like her birth Mum and longs to know about the sound of her voice, the colour of her hair and the colour of her eyes. She struggles somewhat with her  feelings and initially does not want to talk to her parents in case they are hurt. She does open up to her father however, and he reassures her that it is okay and natural for her to have questions about her birth parents. 

And, here's where I felt a lump in my throat while reading this book.....  Lucy's Dad asks her to close her eyes as he describes some of Lucy's personality and characteristics.
Here are a few of her father's lovely words...

'.....think of your jokes and how you make others laugh, think of your love of snow and frost and swimming and music, think of your sense of fun...now somewhere and everywhere in the middle of all of that is your birth Mum...........And remember that your birth Dad is in there somewhere too.' 

In short:

This is a beautifully written story giving a young child's perspective on adoption. A helpful resource for children, parents or professionals, it explores the many aspects of adoption in a sensitive manner.

Lucy's parents often tell her the story of her adoption and Lucy recounts their many emotions-anticipation, worry, excitement & joy.

Happy reading, Missus B

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