Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me? by Despina Mavridou, Chrysoula Verikiou, Korina Marnelaki (Children's, 9 years +, 8/10E)

 

Gorgeous cover

December 2020, 44 pages, Paperback and Ebook, Review Copy 

Book Summary

Irene, is a 10-year-old girl whose parents are getting a divorce. In the midst of her confusion and helplessness, Irene turns to her diary to express her feelings and better process her parents’ divorce.

Nayu's thoughts

Divorce is almost never an easy scenario, especially when children are involved who may not understand the complexities involved. Using a diary is a great method of getting feelings out, although it isn't until Irene's grandmother reads the diary that the reason for Irene refusing to speak with anyone is understood. Irene has a lot of questions but feels she can't ask them all to her parents. Her father spoils her which her mother doesn't approve of, as well as later on having a girlfriend and not paying for Irene's ballet lessons.

 Irene confides everything to her teddy bear and her diary, something many children will be able to relate to. In the end her parents find out her feelings and are better able to help her with them. Irene has so many questions, it was sad watching her unable to speak out for fear of upsetting her parents. It's a reminder that children need reassurance during a divorce, that they think far more about the situation than some may realise.

The illustrations are adorable, with the pictures explaining the situation simply but in an emotive way too. There are some instances of grammar issues or when English expressions feel lost in translation and not used correctly, but overall the strength of the story is really important to children who have friends whose parents are going through a divorce, or children directly experiencing a divorce. 

Suggested read

A book for younger readers that looks at divorce is Living With Mum and Living With Dad by Melanie Walsh (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10 E)