This controversial picture book is about two kids and their parents and the process of divorce. Throughout the entire story, they never mention the actual word "divorce" but refer to instead as an "un-wedding". The book explains why parents fight and give specific examples of how they disagree and have different ideas. For example, the mom's idea of a dog is a big fat furry one. The dad's idea of a dog is a small cute short haired one. The dad's idea of vacation is camping, and the mom's idea of vacation is going on a cruise. I think the author does a good job of making these ideas understandable for kids, instead of saying that parents get divorced because of money, or an affair, or different values and beliefs. This book makes the controversial issue of divorce more kid friendly because it focuses more on the likes and dislikes that the parents have with each other. I don't know if this is necessarily good, because kids are smart and they understand a lot more than we thinkt they do. Maybe being honest with kids about the real reasons of the divorce would benefit them because they could better understand that it is not their fault.
One reason I think people get divorced is because sometimes they get married young, and over the course of time people evolve and mature and change into different people. This book focuses more on this aspect, that the parents have different interests and are very different people. One thing I didn't appreciate about the end of the book was how the author depicted a "un-wedding" or divorce as if it's a time for celebration and happiness. Divorce can be ugly, and very horrific for both the parents and the kids. I believe the author was trying to send the message that it is okay for people to get divorced, because the two people are usually happier as an end result. However, this book made it seem like it's "cool" if your parents get divorced because you get more material things, like two Christmas's, two birthdays etc.
An important aspect when teaching children about divorce is that it is NOT their fault. Many children take responsibility for their parents divorce and this can lead to low self esteem and really damage a child's psyche. This book briefly touches on this aspect, and focuses more on the idea that un-weddings or divorce is for people that have different interests. One aspect of this book that I really appreciated was how they talked about their parents having two separate houses, and there is a tunnel that only "Demetrius and Paula" can go through to get to each house. This is unrealistic because most divorced parents do not live in walking distance, but the message is that the kids still have both of their parents, they are now just in separate houses.
One reason I think people get divorced is because sometimes they get married young, and over the course of time people evolve and mature and change into different people. This book focuses more on this aspect, that the parents have different interests and are very different people. One thing I didn't appreciate about the end of the book was how the author depicted a "un-wedding" or divorce as if it's a time for celebration and happiness. Divorce can be ugly, and very horrific for both the parents and the kids. I believe the author was trying to send the message that it is okay for people to get divorced, because the two people are usually happier as an end result. However, this book made it seem like it's "cool" if your parents get divorced because you get more material things, like two Christmas's, two birthdays etc.
An important aspect when teaching children about divorce is that it is NOT their fault. Many children take responsibility for their parents divorce and this can lead to low self esteem and really damage a child's psyche. This book briefly touches on this aspect, and focuses more on the idea that un-weddings or divorce is for people that have different interests. One aspect of this book that I really appreciated was how they talked about their parents having two separate houses, and there is a tunnel that only "Demetrius and Paula" can go through to get to each house. This is unrealistic because most divorced parents do not live in walking distance, but the message is that the kids still have both of their parents, they are now just in separate houses.
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