Why Do Families Change?: Our First Talk About Separation and Divorce

by Jillian Roberts, Cindy Revell (Illustrator)

Separation and divorce are difficult on the entire family. Often young children blame themselves or are unsure of their place in the family if these events occur. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter. Why Do Families Change? is part of the Just Enough series. Other topics in the series include birth, death and diversity.

Genres: Divorce, Family, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in Canada.

I love the inclusion of the illustrations. Gratitude to illustrator Cindy Revell for acknowledging and honoring diverse individuals and families in her illustrations (notably featuring an LGBTQ couple and including grandparents as active participants in families' support systems).

I also appreciate the concept of the series. Titled "Just Enough" it is a very appropriate way to think about talking with young children about difficult topics. They need "just enough" information to have their questions answered, to know that they are not to blame, and to know that they are loved. I will look into other titles from the series.

[ReadingWench · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book would be good for any child about to go through a divorce. This is a picture book but all elementary aged kids could benefit from it.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

HCPL Juv Nonfiction 306.89 Rob

Summary
Separation and divorce are difficult on the entire family. Often young children blame themselves or are unsure of their place in the family if these events occur. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter.

Why Do Families Change? is part of the Just Enough series. Other topics in the series include birth, death and diversity. For more information, visit www.justenoughseries.com .

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children love these little books. They thoroughly enjoy each and every story, as if they are all unique and individual without any cause for similarity among them. Even though sometimes, they might seem tedious and repetitive to me as a parent, I do enjoy being able to read short-stories to my children that are clean and respective.

[Dawn]

Nonfiction book on divorce.

Short and concise. Probably could be used for kids as young as preschool, but some of it will go over their heads. Good focus on family love staying the same, even as other things change. The question/answer format would allow parents to answer questions about their specific situations.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy Revell’s illustrations helps tell the story of why families change. Why Do Families Change was an extraordinary story that explained the many dynamics of families. Why Do Families Change is an important read.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very detailed, with different terminologies used during the course of family separation and divorce. I think it was a little too mature for my four-year-old, but would be great for slightly older kids who need a more thorough explanation of changes in their families.

[Abbie Wisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such a great concept behind it. It's not a book just for children going through a divorce in their family but it could help other children understand what other families might go through.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This is a good resource

Well done

Length is great and illustrations are colorful

Loved seeing this needed addition to our library

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elementary level question and answer picture book about families going through divorce. Liked the differnt types of families and the honest answers to questions kids would pose.

[Stephanie Szajko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divorce & Family

I think this children’s book is great with explaining, how common divorce currently is amongst many of todays young families under 25 years of marriage.

[Chelsea Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is still family

It teaches children that even when parents separate or divorce family is still family and no matter what they still love you

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible, reassuring explanation of difficult concepts and situations.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very good. This would be a good help to children going through or trying to better understand separation/divorce. It is not very wordy and also has some terms at the back that are defined at a younger level. I would have this in my library.

[Heidi-Marie]

A book that is up-to-date in its terms of inclusion. More for children who are about to go through these changes rather than already having been through them. Though it does define a couple of things regarding separation and divorce that a child may ask about even after the changes have occurred.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is helpful to share with younger readers when a family is going through a divorce. The simple text explains what's happening so a child can understand.
I like the emphasis on it never being the child's fault.

[Emily Cseh]

I think this book does a wonderful job of explaining divorce and separation at a level that can understood by young children. Since this is becoming more and more prevalent in our society it is important to address it in our classrooms. Talking about it at a young age can help students to become more familiar and comfortable with the topic. This story also makes it easy for children to relate if they are in a divorced family or a two parent home. I would recommend this book to parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and teachers of lower elementary school students.