Some Families Change by Jess Galatola, illustrated by Jenni Barrand. EK Books 2024. Hardback PB. ISBN 9781922539670. RRP $24.99
Reviewed by Debra Williams
Everybody’s family looks
different. And over time, situations can change for many families. These
changes can bring an emotional toll on children, with a range of difficult
feelings to navigate. The family unit may not always be as it was: the author
covers single-parent families, those with two mothers or fathers, split
families, families that merge and other situations.
This book, beautifully
illustrated, covers the wide range of emotions that children can experience
during alterations in the family structure. They need to understand that it is
okay to feel worried, upset, confused or uncertain about the changes, and
adjustment to different circumstances can only happen with time. The author has
done a great job of covering and explaining these various situations and
emotions, assuring children that no matter what happens within their family
structure, they are loved and cared about. She helps them to understand about the
shift in circumstances and navigate their big feelings, to find their own place
in the world, with the diverse ways that can mean being a family. There is
reassurance for the child/ren that whatever has occurred, it is not their fault,
and encouragement to share their feelings with somebody to begin the healing
process.
Jess wrote this book after her
own family unit changed in 2020, to help her sons understand and adjust to the
changes that the situation brought.
This book is recommended and suitable for children aged 4 -8 years.
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