Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families

For children ages 4-8. This paperback book is presented as a children's divorce book that will help them understand the many areas of divorce. It is not meant to be a straightforward story. It is a guide and resource for children and parents. I see this as a book that can be picked up and put back on the bookshelf as various needs and/or problems occur. I like the fact that this picture guide also has simple sentences to explain the many facets of divorce. It offers insight into children's feelings for the parents to consider as well. Age will dictate how this book is used by your children. Small children can look at the pictures of the dinosaurs and talk about the many feelings and problems they are having. It is an excellent starter for the parents and children to openly express their concerns. I recommend this book not only for young children, but also for parents as well. We all can learn something from this book. Elaine Pedersen - Preschool & Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher 25+ years experience. www.fatherachildsright.org

My ex husband and I divorced when my daugther was two (she's seven now) and everything has always been friendly, so I never thought that we'd have any problems. However, this year she was unlucky enough to sit in class next to a little girl whose parents were having a very ugly and public divorce. Evidently these parents did nothing to hide the nastiness from their daugther either, because each day my daugther came home with a new horror story. The entire ordeal left my little girl very confused about what divorces where and what it meant for a family. A friend recommended this book and it solved everything!!! My daughter actually came into my room last night (with a HUGE smile on her face) and thanked me for buying the book. She also asked me to please thank the friend who recommended it. Her exact words about the book were that "it explained everything to me and now I understand -- its so much better now! I know everything is okay now." I can't tell you how much I missed that smile, or how much hearing these words meant. I am not remarried and neither is my ex-spouse, so the "step" section didn't apply to us either. However, I think that children should know what that is in case it comes up in the future, or if they encounter a friend who has a step family. It is important to answer all of their little questions before they become problems. About the parent who worried about the martini drinking mom -- my daugther saw it. No big deal. She was more impressed by the pills next to the empty glass. I just explained matter of factly that some people hurt themselves by drinking excessively or taking medication that the doctor doesn't prescribe for them because they are so sad. That led to a discussion about sadness and how to deal with it. It was time very well spent. I strongly recommend this book (as if you hadn't figured that out already). Good luck to all the single moms out there. You are not alone and your children will be fine. It just takes some extra effort to make sure. God Bless.

I am an elementary guidance counselor that works with children whose family is going thru or has gone thru divorce. This book is fantastic in helping the children understand what is going on in their life. I love the way it is broken down into sections, so that I can use the section that will best help the child. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!

the book dinosaurs divorce was a good book for me to read i think. i am 13 now but read it when I was about 8. I found (?) that by hearing it from a makebelieve character or talking animal, i would understand and listen more. If you are around that age or actually any young age up to about, say 13, its a good book to read. And don't be embaressed to read it either. It will help you!

I've used this book in my practice as a child custody lawyer for the past 10 years, sharing it with both adult and child clients. Unlike many other books, this one shows the full range of feelings that children experience. Children strongly identify with the dinosaurs and I find looking at the book helpful in interviewing young children. The dinosaurs live in a variety of post-separation settings ranging from two homes to little contact with one parent. Many other books show only one living arrangement and children in other situations feel abnormal.