In this day and age the reality is that many children find themselves in a situation such as Buster's because they live in a single parent household. Like in the book, children face the reality of not seeing their parent for periods of time. This contemporary realistic fiction book addresses this issue in a manner that allows children to associate with the characters in the book because it contains elements familiar to the reader. While there aren't many pictures in this small chapter book, the few black and white pictures illustrated, using water colors, depict the characters emotions as a child might react in the same situation. I especially like the picture on the last page where Buster is on the hot air balloon speaking to Arthur whose face is full of egg. There is no need for color since the black and white pictures don't take from the story.
The issue of divorce is also written about in "Dinosaur Divorce" where the various aspects of divorce are explained to children through the use of vignettes of situations. "Dinosaur Divorce" addresses issues such as the absence of a parent and gives children advice on how to cope with it.
In "Arthur and the 1,001 Dads", Marc Brown doesn't fully address the issue of coping with the absence of a parent but it does address the many feelings and emotions a child might experience.
Marc Brown tackles this difficult issue with the trademark humor and sensitivity that has won his books acclaim from parents and kids alike...~Time Warner Book Group Co.
In "Dinosaurs Divorce" Marc Brown once again addresses the issue of divorce only this time he addresses every aspect of a divorce instead of addressing how a child might feel about the absent parent. Included in this book, which portrays vignettes of situations encountered by divorce, are "Divorce Words and What They Mean" in which Marc Brown gives the definition to some of the most common terms children might hear as their parents go through a divorce and eventually when their parents remarry. This is an extremely important part of the book since it may explain much of the vocabulary children are hearing as their parents divorce. The book goes on to explain why parents divorce to get children to understand they aren't the cause of the divorce. This was an especially touching part of the book because the characters expressions depict exactly how one would expect children react in such a situation. It is astounding to see that Marc Brown took thought in explaining to children that divorce is not their fault so they shouldn't blame themselves. Other areas explained are what might be expected after the divorce, adjusting to living with one parent, visiting the noncustodial parent, having two homes, living with stepparents and having stepsisters and stepbrothers.
Marc Brown admits to taking many of his ideas from daily happenings in his life, this book is no exception. He divorced his first wife when his children were young so this book is definately written from first hand experience. "Arthur and the 1,001 Dads," could also have been written from first hand experience in how his own children dealt with not seeing their father daily after the divorce. The book was written in simple, direct text and lively, often funny illustrations of dinosaurs in situations every child can relate to, encourage young readers to acknowledge and share their own fears and feelings. Best of all, the book suggests positive ways of handling the many new situations and difficulties divorce brings.
The colorful illustrations are very expressive and will delight children . Adults are seen in realistic postures, such as the two dinosaur parents arguing while the dinosaur child looks worried in the corner. Positive adult behavior is also modeled. These explicit messages can help make parents more aware of the concerns and feelings of their young children and of how they relate with them.
Every family who has a child four or older and is facing divorce should have a copy of this book. The authors discuss every issue of divorce with sensitivity. To lighten the tansion, they put their words in the skillful claws of hunourous characters, providing extra comfort for children and adults. Despite the playful appearance Dinosaurs Divorce clearly defines limits, guidelines, and expectations of all family members at a time when life feels anything but clear. ~ School Library Journal
Texas Women's University
A requirement for LS5603
