I Know the World's Worst Secret: A Child's Book about Living with an Alcoholic Parent

Hurts of Childhood Series

by Doris Sanford, Graci Evans

Elizabeth, the daughter of an alcoholic mother, tries to carry the burden of taking care of the family. Includes guidelines for adults to help children of alcoholics.

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Anna Kļaviņa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elizabeth's mummy is drunk and her parents fight. The father seems to be neglecting his daughter. Mother is sent to rehab after a car accident.

A bit confusing. Who is Friend and Laura?

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this isn't quite as awful as some of this author's more infamous titles, it's still pretty bad. This author seems to have a reoccurring theme of having a magical, talking toy offering adult-level guidance through deadly serious situations like being neglected and put in harm's way by an addicted parent.

[Laura Cruz · Rating 2 out of 5]

No sé si realmente este dirigido para niños, pero esta historia solo se sintió como un golpe crudo. Es una realidad para muchos pequeños, que se ven atrapados en los vicios y la negligencia de sus padres. No hay final feliz, no hay algo reconfortante. El mensaje es: así es la vida, así son ellos (los padres) y no puedes hacer nada para cambiarlos.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some reviewers didn't like this book. I agree it would not be appropriate for a classroom read-aloud and that it is very disturbing, but so is the reality of living with an alcoholic parent. This book is not written for everyone, but has a specific audience in mind. A counselor or family member could use this book to open the lines of communication and help a child not feel so alone and help them see that they are not at fault for their parent's illness. Stories like these are important in therapy.