When My Parents Forgot to Be Friends

Let's Talk About It Books

by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos, Marta Fabrega (Illustrator)

Young children become confused and hurt when their parents constantly argue, then decide to divorce. This sensitively written book assures boys and girls that children are in no way responsible for their parents' inability to get along together. It lets kids know that although one parent chooses to move away from the home, both parents continue to love their little boy or girl. Both Mom and Dad will continue to spend happy times with them. Even very young children have concerns and anxieties, and Let's Talk About It! books are written and illustrated especially for them. Parents are advised to read these books aloud while their preschooler listens and looks at illustrations of the boys and girls in each story. Many children in early grades will be able to read the stories for themselves. Let's Talk About It! books encourage children to explore their feelings, and then to speak openly about things that trouble them.

Genres: Divorce, Picture Books, Psychology, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nick So'oto · Rating 4 out of 5]

When My Parents Forgot How To Be Friends, is a sad, but amazing story of a young girl that loves both her parents, and love spending time with them. But, as we all know every family has their problems, the little girls begins to notice changes in her parents demeanor, and how they act toward each other. She constantly hears her parents arguing and her mom crying. Throughout the story her parents struggle to be together, and eventually separate. When they separate it kills the little girl she begins to think that it's her fault but eventually learns that it's not. Her parents will love her and follow her no matter where she goes.

In my opinion, I liked this book. but, what I liked the most about the book was basically the story. So many children in today's would could easily relate to this. The story of the young girl could give so many young boys and girls hope. I also liked the cover of the book, it was creative and showed how much she loves her parents.

If I were to use this in the classroom, it would most likely be a lesson on looking deeper in the text. Because in the book, the author never really says that the little girls parents had actually separated, they simply said that they forgot how to be friends. I would assign my students to read this book, and tell me the underlying story in their own words and how it made them feel.

[Dawn]

Written by a social worker, but kind of odd. Everything is related to how her parents stopped being friends. I get that using these terms might be useful to younger kids, but friendship seems like something that's easily repairable. The words separation and divorce are never used, which is an interesting choice. The girl's dad moves out, and she does visit him, but her mom is clearly the primary caregiver.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was pretty good. A lot of emphasis was put on the parents arguing and Mom crying, which might not be the case for all kids and may worry the especially emotional ones. But overall, I think it did a good job of showing that Mom and Dad are happier apart and they still love the child.

[Mene:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

En menos de 30 páginas me causaron ganas de llorar. Me dio en mis family issues.
Super necesario de leer, tanto por parte de hijos como de padres. Me gustó su final, que puede darles un buen mensaje a padres que estén pasando con una situación similar.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice balance between some of the others I've read between just a story and having some information for parents.

[Somer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this

[Afiya Charaniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read because it introduced the concept of a family being together and then the parents had a divorce. The book was a children's realistic-fiction book about divorce. The book started with the problem of the family environment changing because the little girl heard her parents argue at night and her mom was crying. The little girl felt better when she hid from the problem which was her parents fighting. Mallinos does a great job of showing how this complex idea can be portrayed very simply. The child thinks that it's her fault that her parents are getting a divorce but in the end, she realizes it wasn't. Although there wasn't diversity presented in the book, any child can relate to feeling like it may be their fault when their parents get a divorce. The text was simple to read and understand even though there were many sentences on one page. This book shows children that it may be hard at first but life does get better and they can be happy again. The illustrations show a great job of what the author is saying in the text. They are simple yet detailed. The pictures show the storyline as well where the family was happy in the beginning, sad in the middle, then happy at the end. The characters where just like people you would see in real life so I think the book would be relatable to children from KG to 3rd grade. The book might help upper grades but I think they would definitely gain from the book, but in my opinion, it's more appealing to the younger students. The book never used the term divorce, but if a child was reading this they would be able to tell that the parents are not together again. There are no negative stereotypes in my opinion. I love how the author uses the title, "When My Parents Forgot to Be Friends" and the author used her personal experience to write this book which makes it even more realistic. Overall, the book is easy to understand and would be beneficial to read to students learning about the different types of families.

[Cassandra Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When My Parents Forgot To Be Friends by Jennifer Moor-Mallinos is about a little girl whose parents are going through a divorce. The story begins showing the three being a happy family together, but then the daughter hears her parents fighting and yelling. She sees her mother cry and does not know what to do. Then her dad leave, but not without telling her that she will get to visit him. The daughter becomes sad and wonders if maybe it was her fault (though her parents tell he otherwise). In the end both parents because happy again and the daughter learns that even if her parents are not together then they can still be friends.

This would be a great book to read to children whose parents are going through a divorce. It is a hard time for the child and they may think that it is because of them. This book can help show them that it is not their fault. It also is something they can relate to. When they hear their parents fight, them may hide under their blankets to escape the sounds just like the girl in the story. It is important that they can relate so that they know that they are lot alone. This book also shows them that it does get better. Once the parents separate then they will become happier. Both parents still love their child and they are still a family. For children going through this, they may not think things will ever get better, but they can see now that it will.

The illustrations help relay the message that the author is trying to convey. The illustrations do a great job showing how the characters are feeling throughout the story. In the beginning, it shows the family together, laughing and playing around. It shows how they are happy. Then once the fighting starts, the illustrations become gloomly. There are bags under the girls lies and no one is smiling. It shows the mother crying with the daughter trying to comfort her. Then once things start to get better, they start to laugh and smile again. Although the read can tell the mood of the story through the text, the illustrations help gain a better understanding of what that mood and message is.

[Michaela Puglisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really loved this book because it pushes the boundaries of a subject that kids are often too afraid to talk about. However, the reality of the situation is that many children are struggling to makes sense of their parent's divorce. "When My Parents Forgot How To Be Friends" follows a little girl who at first shares the happiness surrounding her family. As the story continues, the main character goes on to tell that her parents are always arguing and that her dad eventually left their household. The little girl is left with feelings of guilt and is ultimately blaming herself for her parents failed marriage. As previously stated, I feel that this is an unspoken phenomena among children who are suffering through a divorce. The little girl then describes how even though things are not the same (her dad moved out, she spends time separately with her parents, etc.) but that it's different, but it's good. When using this book in a classroom, it would most likely apply to multiple children, helping them to understand that they aren't alone. I feel that it is important to have children read this book; it offers valuable insight that one may not know. I think this should be a must read for certain classrooms.

[Deianaira Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of this book is realistic fiction, but I also feel that it could serve for the purposes of information text. This book is about what it is like when parents of young children divorce. I think the book does a great job of explaining to children that they are in no way, shape, or form responsible for the separation of their parents It lets children know that even though one parent chooses to move away from the home, they will still be equally loved by both parents. This story is interesting to children and includes realistic, convincing characters. The illustrations correspond to the text and will hold the interest of children while the text is being read. The text is age appropriate for children at the elementary level and children will be able to understand what is being represented. The story presents characters whose lifestyles are genuine and complex, not oversimplified or generalized. The story also does a good job of making sure that there are no negative stereotypes of the represented group.

[Courtney Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book begins, the perfect family picture is painted with them always having family activities and laughing. But, the little girl soon notices that her parents are not happy and often wakes up and hears them arguing. She seems her mom sad and then her parents separate and the dad moves out. She feels sad and blames herself which questioning what she could have done more, but then realizes that both of her parents are much happier apart. They can come together and support and celebrate her but are just not good together.

This book is good for preschool or early elementary aged kids. With the colorful pictures that help tell the picture, it is easy for kids who could be going through similar situations to relate. They can often feel guilty or responsible for their parents actions but usually will see that everyone benefits from a much more peaceful environment if the hostility isn't there.

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book on divrce for young children. The book is sensitive and deals with things such as, who the child lives with, what happens to parents before, and during a divorce. It covers parents and children's feelings about divorce, and that their parents divorce is in no way their fault.This book would be appropriate for children from preschool through third grade. It could be ussed to introduce the class to divorce, especially helpful if a child in the class is going through such transitions.The illustrations coincide nicley with the text, which is positive and sensitive. It is a great read aloud book to open discussion on the topic.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book to read to a student whos parents are in the middle of a divorce. The book talks about how it isn't the child's fault and that even though their parents don't live together anymore doesn't mean that love you less. It explains divorce in an easy way so children can understand. I really liked how this book was written and would definately share this with a student that is going through this tought time.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for a child who's parents are going through a divorce, sends a good message to children. This book is viewed for more of a third grader, but would be great for a parent child read aloud as well.

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read for kids whose parents are going through a divorce. simple yet effective.

[Maggie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who see's her parents forgetting to be friends. They were fighting a lot and constantly sad. The little girl realizes that they are not talking that much anymore, there were no more family nights, and no more laughing. Her dad moves out of the house to another house and she thinks that her dad moving out was her fault. Soon the little girl realizes that her parents were better off not together and the laughter came back. Her parents were happier and there was no more fighting between them.

The major theme of this book is about parents who get divorced. It is through the point of view of the little girl, so it is easier for kids to relate to it.

I give this book 5 stars. I believe that the book does a great job of making a hard topic easy to understand.

When my parents were getting a divorce, I wish that I had a book like this to help explain why they were getting one and how the change was going to affect me. I think this book is perfect for families to read to their children who are confused or upset about why their parents are no longer living together.

I recommend his book because it is a hard topic to understand at such a young age, but kids are watching their parents go through a divorce all the time. It is also great to incorporate into a lesson about different types of families and how each family looks different.