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Sheila Deeth
, November 18, 2015
(view all comments by Sheila Deeth)
Designed to facilitate communication between children and divorced parents, Fairy Good Heart offers a well-designed set of questions at the end of each chapter. The child is addressed, by fairy and by author, as “My Dear,” a reminder that parents must always hold their children dear. And the child’s natural fears are treated with respect and intelligence. By the end of the book, children should be sure that their parents will love them forever, and it really is possibly to be happy again.
Fun line drawings throughout the text invite readers to imagine new characters and places as the story progresses. An everyday schoolgirl called Jaci has two parents and many friends, including a boy who draws dogs, someone who laughs a lot, and someone who lives in two houses. But Jaci’s world changes when her parents start to fight. Those dreaded words “I don’t love you anymore!” fill her with fear as she wonders will her parents stop loving her too?
The story reads simply and smoothly, with honest emotion and down-to-earth advice. A much-loved treat turns into a much-feared discussion, but ice cream won’t be absent forever. A magical fairy touch imbues the sad days with hope, just as the images add smiles and fun. And the ending really is better for all, though it may not have seemed that way.
A good book to share with kids, especially if parents or friends are experiencing divorce.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.
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