Two Homes

"Parents looking for a book about separation or divorce will find few offerings as positive, matter-of-fact, or child-centered as this one. . . . Simple, yet profoundly satisfying. - BOOKLIST (starred review)

At Mommy’s house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy’s house, Alex has a rocking chair. In each home, Alex also has a special bedroom and lots of friends to play with. But whether Alex is with Mommy or with Daddy, one thing always stays the same - Alex is loved. The gently reassuring text focuses on what is gained rather than what is lost when parents divorce, while the sensitive illustrations, depicting two unique homes in all their small details, firmly establish Alex’s place in both of them. TWO HOMES will help children - and parents - embrace even the most difficult of changes with an open and optimistic heart.

Children's Literature

Divorce may have become commonplace but its effect on children can be as unsettling as an earthquake. This is especially true for the very young, who require security to develop a good sense of self-confidence and trust. This picture book focuses on the positive aspects of having parents living apart from each other. The story's protagonist, Alex, lives part-time with each parent. Both houses are complete with the things important to a young child—his own bedroom, a place to hang his coat, his toothbrush, and special friends. Each environment is different but designed to make Alex feel at home. The illustrator's watercolors, with their homey details, contribute to an overall sense of comfort. There's a sailboat in the tub at Daddy's house, a rubber ducky at Mommy's. Alex bakes cookies with Mommy, shells peas with Daddy. By focusing on a single issue the author provides a reassurance that is understandable to the young reader. The most comforting words of the book lie in the last two lines in which the parents say, "We love you wherever we are. And we love you wherever you are." 2001, Candlewick Press, $14.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Stephanie Farrow