Standing on my own two feet A child's affirmation of love in the midst of divorce

PreS-Gr 1-When Addison's parents get divorced, he ends up with two homes, and he feels safe in both of them. He knows that his mom and dad will always love him. The text uses simple straightforward statements; for example, "Mom and Dad do not always get along. But it's not because of me" and "Even though I wish we could all live together again, that probably won't happen. It's not up to me." Schmitz uses repetition in the best possible way to drive home her main points of unconditional love and that Addison is not to blame for the divorce. The brightly colored illustrations have exactly the right images to support the story. Due to its positive feel, easy-to-understand message, and topical nature, this book is an excellent choice for most libraries.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A simple, clearly worded text about divorce for the youngest children, this will help parents hammer home the twin messages that it is not the child's fault and that the child is loved very much by each parent, no matter what happens. Blond-haired, blue-eyed Addison narrates his own tale, showing a map of his town and the two houses he lives in. He matter-of-factly explains his situation, telling readers that he sometimes misses the parent he is not with, but that he is safe with each of them: "Even when we are apart, we can look out our windows...and enjoy the same moon." While not particularly artful, Schmitz's brightly colored, realistic illustrations portray real people with real emotions. While readers never see Mom and Dad in friendly communication with each other, they are both present at Addison's activities, supporting him and patently acknowledging their love for him. Meeting a real need, this is an excellent choice for the preschool set. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.