Living with Mom and Living with Dad

by Melanie Walsh

For young children who live in two homes, this bright, simple story with oversized flaps reassures young readers that there is love in each one.

Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever.

Genres: Picture Books, Divorce, Family, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Melanie Walsh (born 18 July 1964) is an English writer and illustrator of children's books. She studied at Harrow School of Art and the Royal College of Art.

Walsh has published 46 works in 98 publications. Her books have been translated into nine different languages.[1]

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tätäkin kirjaa on luettu meillä useasti, koska se kertoo lapsille vaikeasta aiheesta - vanhempien erosta, isän ja äidin luona vuorottelusta - erittäin kivalla ja lapsiystävällisellä tavalla. Tällaisia kirjoja soisi olevan enemmän, sillä toisinaan vanhemmille on hyvin haastavaa kertoa lapsilähtöisesti lapselle, miksi vanhemmat eivät enää asu yhdessä ja miksi lapsella on kaksi erilaista kotia, jossa on hieman eri säännöt.

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Savannah Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book touches really nicely on children who don’t live with their mom and dad. It is important to remember that isn’t the case for everyone and every family is different. The child starts the story by telling us that their mom and dad don’t live together anymore and spends the rest of the story showing the differences on what it’s like living at mom’s house and what it is like living at dad’s house. I really enjoyed this book because it is out of the norm. I thought it was a strange multicultural touch when at the very end they put a bunch of different colored people but didn’t even mention it. The book would have been 4 stars if they would have mentioned it. I think you could really plug this book in anywhere for a lesson, when talking about families and where everyone comes from in order to make the children feel comfortable and show that everyone is different in some way.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not address our family situation (knocking furiously on wood), but my daughter was interested in it, so we thought it was a good opportunity to discuss different family setups. When asked, she said she understands this is not our case because her parents love each other and will stay together forever and ever forever (her words....fingers crossed, my love).

The story is about a little girl who has two homes and splits her time between them. She understands that both parents love her, but they just cannot live together anymore. When she has plays and stuff, they will both come and see her, but they will sit in different parts of the audience, which makes me think they might be volatile.

The book is light and is about an established situation. The girl doesn't have anxiety, fears or feelings of culpability anymore. She seems to have understood and somehow accepted her new situation.

Art follows life and mom got the house, while dad lives in an apartment. At least it wasn't a basement apartment.

[Angela Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Living with Mom and Living with Dad. / Melanie Walsh. / 2012.

Genre: Fiction.

Format: Picturebook - print.

Plot summary:
"A little girl describes what her life is like now that her parents no longer live together" (NoveList).

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
divorce, children with divorced parents

Review citation:
"Bold, clear acrylic art mixed with collage is simple and childlike, while the flap on each spread lovingly supports differences and provides enjoyment. Children who live in two separate homes can gain a sense of security from this attractive, reassuring book" (Janet Weber in School Library Journal).

Section source used to find the material:
Monroe County Public Library: Staff picks - Books About Divorce.

Recommended age: Ages 4 - 6.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. It is a bit of the typical "having divorced parents is cool because I have two sets of things" trope, but has some important differences. Firstly, lift the flaps- that always makes a book better! Secondly, I appreciated that mom and dad don't even sit near each other at the school play (Let's be real, here) but it's not turned into an issue. Mom and dad aren't even together in any of the book- and I appreciate that. But it also has some good pointers for kids- you can take your favorite toys with you to both homes- but not all of your toys; and you can always call your other parent when you miss them. The ending felt a bit abrupt, but by then the point had been made. This would be good for a younger set, who are maybe being introduced to the idea of one of the parents moving out.

[Kenedy Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a girl whose parents are divorced, this is a great book, especially for younger kids who are unsure of such a big change that is happening. I loved the positive outlook that this book gave to having divorced parents, because it can have such a negative impact on children of all ages. I think the message behind this book is great for any age, but the way in which it is written and the illustrations that go along with it make it heard towards a younger age group.

[Miranda Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the greatest children books I have ever read. Melanie Walsh captures exactly how a child might be living and feeling with separated parents. Throughout the story shows how a child lives and celebrated different things with her mom and her dad and how It is okay to live this way. This book is amazing when talking and educating children on separated families and households.

[Hayley Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living with Mom and Living with Dad is a story explaining divorce, some people live with Mom and some with Dad. It is written in the child's perspective describing different things their parents do, the rooms are different, the toys, but both parents love them very much and they show that no matter what they will be loved.

[Rachel Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great book to have in any classroom because it shows a child who has divorced parents. It is important to represent all families. This book shows how the child has two different houses and what seems to be, two different lives. Published in 2012.

[Makenna Rojas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book! It is talking about the positives of having two parents and being able to decorate two bedrooms. It would be a nice story to read to a students who's parents might be getting a divorce.

[Marie-Pier Dodier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Séparation déjà faite. Description de comment ça se passe (deux chambres, activités séparées la fin de semaine, qui vient chercher l'enfant à l'école, présence des deux parents aux moments importants, etc.).

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the topic for younger kids. The pictures are very toddler-friendly, too. Has some paper flaps to turn

[Cheyanne Schlalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and relatable story for many students today’s day in age. Would be perfect for any age, but primarily younger, as a read aloud.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple approach to a difficult time in children's lives. This will help start some tough conversations when parents divorce. 3 and up.

[Madyson Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Key words: Realistic fiction, family customs/dynamic, compassion, affection.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young child describes her two different living situations due to her parents separation.

[Alexis Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very simple way to explain to children how divorces families work. It was fun too because it had little flaps to keep the kids interested.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't really leave an impression on me.

[Lexie Kattelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the flaps in the book for younger kiddos!

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍

[Haley Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 2012 and I would classify it as a relistic fiction book. I loved the tough topics this book addressed. I would use it in K-4th grade because it takes a friendly tone to a tough living situation for a child.

[Melissa Ernst · Rating 4 out of 5]

An approachable book for to talking through the changes that come with family separation, the main character shares what their life looks like at both their mom, and their dad's homes. Simple, but good for young and very young children.

[Alyssa Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot Summary/Personal Response: A little girl tells her story of what it is like to live with both her mother and father in a divorced setting. Although her family no longer lives together she tells about her positive experiences in both places. She is able to have her own space at both houses, her toys, night lights, and special birthday events all while still in a positive environment. Despite the fact that this is all new to her she still feels loved by all of her family

I think this book is so relevant in the world we currently live in. While parents may not be divorced, a lot of times parents are not together and I think this book does a great job at spinning the multiple household life in a positive light for the child. My favorite part of this book is that it ends with her telling how she feels loved. This is so important to me and every child deserves and needs to be loved. I think it is important also for me as a future educator to release that these situations are not always bad for the child and the divorced, multiple home setting, is sometimes in the best interest of the child.

Literary Elements: The story does a great job at allowing the reader to predict the next event that is hiding behind the interactive pages. If the activity or thing takes place with mom, the flip side talks about what will happen with dad and vice versa. Young children will be able to pick up with this quickly allowing for them to predict the next thing that is going to happen or maybe even come up with something on their own. I like how easy it is for students to connect with this book especially through the interactive pages.
Genre Considerations: This book could be considered a picture-book, realistic fiction book, or thematic book on family relations. This story may not be based off of a true story, but it is definitely likely to be seen in the real world. Even more so this is likely to be reoccurring circumstance that is prevalent in the classroom. It could also be thematic on family relations as it spins divorce and separation in a positive light where the child is still the main concern, is healthy, loved, and not stuck in the middle between bickering parents.

Classroom Connections/Reader Response: I think this is a book that may be good to use when you either begin the school year or have issues that come up within the classroom about questioning family dynamics. I have personally experienced preschool children in discussions about their split families, and wish I would have had this book to use as a discussion point for different family dynamics. The positive light allows for discussion and understanding. I think it would be great to incorporate this book to help children understand the family situations that other children are in. I especially think this would be a great contribution to the classroom due to its positive attitude and love that is shown throughout the book, which is definitely something that should be discussed and pointed out during the read-aloud.

[Irina Ostapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet way to talk about different home dynamics. This is a great book to have on your shelf for your elementary schoolers.

[Lorilynn Pumphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright - PWxyz LLC
Number of Pages - 40
Book Format - Print
Reading Level - Ages 2-6
Genre - Fiction
Lit Requirement -Engineered Book

Summary: Follow me along to my mom’s house and my dad’s house! I have cool things at both. To find out you may have to figure out how to flip my pages!

Response: This book is an absolutely great read and supports differences. Readers who can relate, will feel comfortable with the author as they share similarities and enjoy the text. They will also have fun engaging with the pages! Readers whose parents are not separated, will gain insight of the lives of those whose parents are separated.

[Nikita Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a little girl whose parents have separated. The story shows the girl living in two different homes from page to page. The flaps on each double page shows the differences of her living with her mum and with her dad. The differences are presented in a positive light, which promotes a sense of equality of the importance of both parents’ involvement in the girls life.

The story covers differences of personal and important things. These include differences in her bedroom, being picked up from school, activities with parents and her birthday. All three of these are key aspects of children’s’ lives as these encompass the essential daily routines. It also depicts both parents attending her school play, where they are both sitting separately; however it is the fact that they are both there which is important. Further to this, the story shows the girl talking on the phone if she misses her parents – a comforting suggestion for the situation. The story ends with the girl saying that all of her parents and all her family love her a lot. This demonstrates that she understands that regardless of her parents being separated, they both love her, as do all her other relatives.

A fantastically illustrated book full of bright colours and flaps for all EYFS children, particularly those who are kinaesthetically enthused. It carries important messages for children who have separated parents. It shines a positive light on the differences in both homes, and highlights the love and care reciprocated by both parents. The story portrays the little girl as being happy, both when she is with her mum and her dad, sending a strong message of reassurance.

Reading this book during circle time or PHSCE for children in EYFS could be useful if the class had any separated parents. It explores the sensitive topic of separation in an assuring manner and is a great way to introduce the topic as it illustrates positivity throughout.

[Xinxin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living with Mom and Living with Dad is a picture book for children at the age of 2 and ups talking about a tough topic — divorce.
In the book, a little girl describes what her life is like after her parents’ divorce. Because the little girl's parents don't live together anymore, sometimes the girl lives with her mom and a cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house; she keeps some toys in one place and some in another; her Mom takes her to farm and her Dad takes her camping on the weekend; dad and mom take turns to pick her up from school and both come to watch her in school play.... Even though her parents live apart, they love and involve in her life as constantly as ever.
This book has an inviting lift-the-flap format. I think children will enjoy this kid-friendly design, and by this sweet design children will feel that it is much more for sure it is OK to live at two homes and there is love in each one.
Living with Mon and Living with Dad tries to make the story not sad and pitiful, so it focus on describing the life in two separated homes and even never mentions the word of divorce in whole book. In addition, its illustrations are simple and brightly-colored with a fun lift-the-flap design, which makes the book not as dreary as some books in the theme of divorce. I would recommend this books to children who are experiencing divorce in families, for it would teach them how people cope with the tough subject in lives.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the nicest book about divorce and living sometimes with one parent, sometimes with another I’ve seen--brightly-colored, simple illustrations with fun lift-the-flaps that "convert" mom’s house to dad’s apartment building, the panda nightlight at mom’s to the butterfly light string at dad’s, etc. Beautifully done, it never feels creepy or dreary like some children’s books about tough subjects. It acknowledges the changes (in addition to living arrangements) in the child’s life ("On my birthday, my mom made me a cake...and my dad took me bowling. My mom always used to pick me up from school...now my mom and dad take turns"). The child is shown in the empowered position of knowing what to do when she misses the parent she isn’t currently with (phone call). The book is so attractive that kids who aren’t experiencing a similar situation will be drawn to it, too. This will be my go-to recommendation for parents looking for books about the life changes that come with divorce to read to young children. Will work for preschoolers up to age 8 or so.

[Jason Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how simple this book is, it's purely talking about having two homes and how it is a change but it is ok. Things are different, but everything is ok.