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Here and There
A young boy, Ivan, experiences the early stages of his parents' separation and finds hope in the beauty and music of nature. This tale of personal growth will provide a much-needed mirror for children in times of change -- and an important reminder for all that there's beauty everywhere you look.
30 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 2, 2022
Ivan is having trouble adjusting to his parents' separation, as it now requires him to live in two places - HERE and THERE. Looking to nature helps him with his problem.
Lovely illustrations by Evelyn Daviddi.
Lovely illustrations by Evelyn Daviddi.
February 4, 2020
Here and There features a child from a divorced family who struggles to find solace at his father's new house. The illustrations are cartoony with a wonderful color palette, and the text is so fun and creative, using the noises of songbirds to make the connection between his two parents. Just because they both live in different houses now, and even though they have different parenting styles, there are still some things that will remain the same--like their love for Ivan, the songbirds outside, the way in which they care. I adored the fact that the parents were still amicable towards each other, clearly showing that Ivan is truly what still binds them together.
I loved not only the diversity of the characters, but the diversity of the natural world, too. The parents have different ways of showing their love, just as birds have different calls. It's sweet, tender, and great for the child going through a similar event in their life. Great for grades K-2.
I loved not only the diversity of the characters, but the diversity of the natural world, too. The parents have different ways of showing their love, just as birds have different calls. It's sweet, tender, and great for the child going through a similar event in their life. Great for grades K-2.
July 19, 2019
Ivan is happy Here. His mom is with him. He can play outside. He wants to stay Here.
But it's time to go There. He's not happy at the There where his father lives now.
But then his dad brings out his guitar, like he used to do when he lived Here with Ivan and Ivan's mom, and he and Ivan work on a song together. And everything gets better.
A little story about dealing with change and finding ways to connect, after a disruption.
But it's time to go There. He's not happy at the There where his father lives now.
But then his dad brings out his guitar, like he used to do when he lived Here with Ivan and Ivan's mom, and he and Ivan work on a song together. And everything gets better.
A little story about dealing with change and finding ways to connect, after a disruption.
June 20, 2019
A biracial boy shuffled between his divorce parents is helped by the music of nature and life that doesn't change no matter where he is.
April 17, 2019
Excellent book for the subject of divorce and two home living situations.
March 19, 2019
A story that is, regrettably, too often the case with young children...the separation of parents and how children are visiting each parent in separate places. The initial confusion of the child, as s/he comes to realize that while things are no longer the same, one can find acceptance and a "new normal" without sacrificing the love of the child for each parent.
April 22, 2019
This is a very well done "divorce" book. Ivan parents are recently separated and he is still figuring out how to exist in two places. Wonderful inclusive illustrations as well.
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September 7, 2020A young boy named Ivan struggles to feel comfortable with a new living situation after his parents separate.
This charming story addresses the tough topic of separation and divorce with care. The main character, Ivan, is allowed to explore his feelings on his own: he initially appears uncomfortable when he stays at his father’s, and again when he returns to his mother’s. Neither parent is portrayed as angry, and they each greet Ivan with hugs as he navigates this new dynamic. Ivan’s love of bird calls and his father’s guitar help him to realize that he can have good feelings at both parents' houses. Backmatter includes a list of the bird species shown in the book along with the calls they make.
The calming and detailed mixed-media illustrations feature a cool and neutral color palette. The main character, Ivan is illustrated as having dark brown skin, dark curly hair and rosy cheeks with freckles, but the depiction of his parents indicates that he is mixed race: his mother is illustrated with dark skin and a dark, curly afro, and his father illustrated as light-skinned with light brown hair, stubbled rosy cheeks and visible tattoos. While the illustrations show a mixed race family, race is not discussed within the story. The mother’s clothing resembles styles from the 70’s, but the lack of any depiction of technology, gives the book a timeless feel. Here and There is caring and thoughtful story on a difficult subject, and will be comforting to young readers who may be facing similar circumstances.
This charming story addresses the tough topic of separation and divorce with care. The main character, Ivan, is allowed to explore his feelings on his own: he initially appears uncomfortable when he stays at his father’s, and again when he returns to his mother’s. Neither parent is portrayed as angry, and they each greet Ivan with hugs as he navigates this new dynamic. Ivan’s love of bird calls and his father’s guitar help him to realize that he can have good feelings at both parents' houses. Backmatter includes a list of the bird species shown in the book along with the calls they make.
The calming and detailed mixed-media illustrations feature a cool and neutral color palette. The main character, Ivan is illustrated as having dark brown skin, dark curly hair and rosy cheeks with freckles, but the depiction of his parents indicates that he is mixed race: his mother is illustrated with dark skin and a dark, curly afro, and his father illustrated as light-skinned with light brown hair, stubbled rosy cheeks and visible tattoos. While the illustrations show a mixed race family, race is not discussed within the story. The mother’s clothing resembles styles from the 70’s, but the lack of any depiction of technology, gives the book a timeless feel. Here and There is caring and thoughtful story on a difficult subject, and will be comforting to young readers who may be facing similar circumstances.
June 6, 2019
Ivan loves both of his parents, and he's confused by having to move from place to place in order to spend time with them. Although he is glad to spend time with them, it's also hard since he doesn't really feel as though he fits when he's with one or the other. In fact, when he's with his father, he's thinking of his home with his mother, and vice versa. It's not an exaggeration to say he feels a little lost. Eventually, through music and nature, he reconnects with his father, and manages to bring that connection back with him he returns to his home with his mother. Although some youngsters may not be able to relate to the musical connection with his father, others will, and many youngsters will relate to his feelings of disorientation as he and his parents sort out their relationship and what these changes will mean for him, not to mention them. I also liked the mixed media illustrations that have been enhanced through digital means. This title might be a good one to share with youngsters in a similar situation as Ivan.
December 26, 2019
A story of finding your happy place when your parents separate.
Ivan is a biracial boy whose parents have just separated. Mama's house is "here"; Dad's new house is "there". Things seem normal "here"; however, the first time Ivan goes "there", Ivan's Dad has to work to make him feel comfortable. Together, they make up a song to sing. When Ivan return's to Mama's, it takes him some time to get into a groove of merging the two homes and finding common ground between them.
Smith's reassuring story is straightforward and simply told. It works well with the mixed media/digitally enhanced primitive artwork by Evelyn Daviddi.
A reassuring story for families with newly-separated parents. A great title to suggest for bibliotherapy.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.
Ivan is a biracial boy whose parents have just separated. Mama's house is "here"; Dad's new house is "there". Things seem normal "here"; however, the first time Ivan goes "there", Ivan's Dad has to work to make him feel comfortable. Together, they make up a song to sing. When Ivan return's to Mama's, it takes him some time to get into a groove of merging the two homes and finding common ground between them.
Smith's reassuring story is straightforward and simply told. It works well with the mixed media/digitally enhanced primitive artwork by Evelyn Daviddi.
A reassuring story for families with newly-separated parents. A great title to suggest for bibliotherapy.
Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.
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August 11, 2019Ivan is happy Here (his mom's house), but he sometimes has to go There (his dad's new house) where everything feels strange and Ivan is not really himself. But when his dad picks up his guitar and starts playing (just like he used to when they all lived together), Ivan starts to find his song and dance. Even if he's still quiet sometimes, he's able to reconnect when he hears the sounds of the birds he loves which fly between two places.
The story's a little disjointed, but it's nice to see a biracial family represented in a story about separation and a child newly moving between two homes.
The story's a little disjointed, but it's nice to see a biracial family represented in a story about separation and a child newly moving between two homes.
March 24, 2019
Illustrates what a child feels when they have to be in two homes instead of one. Incorporating bird calls to get in touch with nature and life shifts the focus away from the harsh reality for little minds. The art is vibrant and inclusive - reflecting modern families. Here and There has a poetic vibe that both grown ups and kids could appreciate together.
Thank you to the publisher for access to the review copy.
Thank you to the publisher for access to the review copy.
November 15, 2019
This is a really lovely story about a boy learning to cope with his parents not living together. Music is used as a connecting force, and eventually he finds ways to feel good with each parent. I loved the art as well.
April 3, 2020
If you have parents going through a divorce this is an excellent book selection. I love the fact that it also features a bi-racial couple. It helps the child adjust between being bounced from parent to parent. Excellent book!
December 15, 2020
This one didn't do a whole lot for me, story-wise (and the here-and-there-ing was a little confusing in the beginning). But it definitely gets points for gorgeous illustrations and showcasing a biracial family.
August 18, 2023
Another great bedtime story for my daughter, about a boy who (just like her) goes here and there between two parents homes. Thought it was relatable for her and she seemed to enjoy it.
The author did a great job.
The author did a great job.
April 27, 2019
A young child struggles to feel comfortable between homes when their parents separate.
May 8, 2019
How a boy and his divorced parents make it work.
May 13, 2019
The bird parts of this are a bit weird and lost on me, but I really like this interpretation of separating and how that feels for a kid and very much like the art.
May 15, 2019
Cute picture book about a kid learning to cope with his parents' separation. He's mixed race on top of that, so that's another good addition to the story (it's not a plot point, it's just there).
June 10, 2019
A young child is unhappy to be at his dad's new place and uses the birds and sounds around him for comfort. Can he be comfortable at both mom and dad's houses? Cute. Elementary
August 5, 2019
sweet book that dives a little into adjusting to having two homes after a divorce. love that it features an interracial family
October 30, 2019
divorced parents and going from one place to another...
November 2, 2019
It's a lively, fun addition to books on dealing with divorce and living in two separate houses.
December 6, 2019
Kiddo split between two houses and mom and dad, and this picture book respects how tough that transition can be even when everyone involved is doing it as well as they can.
December 16, 2019
Beautiful illustrations.
January 11, 2020
diverse and well done story of divorce, living in two houses and adjustment
January 14, 2020
Precious book about a boy with divorced parents learning to feel like himself and find joy at both his mom's house and his dad's new house.
January 29, 2020
A child navigates life and learns to find joy even though his parents' separation has him feeling sad and confused. Fantastic and vibrant illustrations.
February 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews