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Serendipity
Squabbles
When Buttermilk meets the Squabbles family, she sees that something is terribly wrong. She must learn that it's okay to get involved if it's going to help a friend.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2017
This is probably a book that is geared for older crowds like Crickle-Crack since it touches a subject that we don't normally speak of with our children. It is a darker book in a sense but it can also provide a doorway for us to try to go over the idea while the song "Alyssa Lies" keeps floating back in my head when I think of this book, which of course had a far different ending.
Allowing it to stick to the children's theme the book isn't realistic in its portrayal of the abuse and also adults don't act like they do in the book to stop it. Realistically most people just turn around to not see it so I think that part of the book is misleading.
Again it is a beautiful book for a hard topic while its wrongs can be overlooked....
Allowing it to stick to the children's theme the book isn't realistic in its portrayal of the abuse and also adults don't act like they do in the book to stop it. Realistically most people just turn around to not see it so I think that part of the book is misleading.
Again it is a beautiful book for a hard topic while its wrongs can be overlooked....
July 4, 2023
My edition says published in 1987, but I don't see that listed (or, it doesn't have a cover, but my cover matches this edition).
I cringe at some reviews where I see people giving one-star reviews for certain titles, because "This isn't appropriate for children!" I would like to strongly object to that sentiment, because even "the birds and the bees" will be relevant to children (though, ideally not until they are somewhat older, at least to when Turning Red becomes applicable [and THAT happens somewhat late, given my own red panda experiences at 11]).
I previously expressed discomfort with Squeakers having a drastically different tone from the other Serendipity books I'd read, but this is a step further, dealing explicitly with domestic violence. It is absolutely important for children to be aware of this and what to do, because they themselves might be victims and need to know they can reach out.
The main reason I took a star off is the ending seems too happy. While it's not IMPOSSIBLE, it feels significantly less likely that the abuser will just realise, "Oh, I shouldn't hit when I'm having trouble with my emotions." Once the abusers are parents, the impulse tends to be ingrained, rather than a temporary lapse of judgement.
I mean, I'd LIKE to believe the best of people, but reality unfortunately tends to show me otherwise.
Also, this print seems curiously faded. Like, my copy if the book seems in relatively good condition other than warping from water damage, but while the cover has nice contrast balance, several of the interior illustrations seem washed out/faded. I expect that would have to be the original artwork, since there's no evidence of the book being flattened open to give the pictures sun damage or anything like that.
Recommended for kids (and adults), certainly. About the only readers I wouldn't recommend this to are those who are just starting out, since it might be above their heads. (Reading it to them would be good, though!)
I cringe at some reviews where I see people giving one-star reviews for certain titles, because "This isn't appropriate for children!" I would like to strongly object to that sentiment, because even "the birds and the bees" will be relevant to children (though, ideally not until they are somewhat older, at least to when Turning Red becomes applicable [and THAT happens somewhat late, given my own red panda experiences at 11]).
I previously expressed discomfort with Squeakers having a drastically different tone from the other Serendipity books I'd read, but this is a step further, dealing explicitly with domestic violence. It is absolutely important for children to be aware of this and what to do, because they themselves might be victims and need to know they can reach out.
The main reason I took a star off is the ending seems too happy. While it's not IMPOSSIBLE, it feels significantly less likely that the abuser will just realise, "Oh, I shouldn't hit when I'm having trouble with my emotions." Once the abusers are parents, the impulse tends to be ingrained, rather than a temporary lapse of judgement.
I mean, I'd LIKE to believe the best of people, but reality unfortunately tends to show me otherwise.
Also, this print seems curiously faded. Like, my copy if the book seems in relatively good condition other than warping from water damage, but while the cover has nice contrast balance, several of the interior illustrations seem washed out/faded. I expect that would have to be the original artwork, since there's no evidence of the book being flattened open to give the pictures sun damage or anything like that.
Recommended for kids (and adults), certainly. About the only readers I wouldn't recommend this to are those who are just starting out, since it might be above their heads. (Reading it to them would be good, though!)
March 26, 2021
buttermilk sees the bruises and hears the threats the dad gives the kid and mom. He tells his dad. The dad leaves until he learns how to treat his family with respect and not like possessions.
April 29, 2012
This is one of the heavier-hitting books in the Serendipity series, dealing with child and spouse abuse. Buttermilk (a recurring Serendipity character) makes a new friend but soon figures out that something is wrong in his home. The book takes on a very complicated subject but does a credible job simplifying things to explain to children how they can help friends. It also shows a positive end to a situation that often ends very differently.
This is not a book to read for the first time with your child but it does communicate a valuable lesson: that children can make an important difference in a friend's life. It could also be used to show that others' lives may be very different from your own.
This is not a book to read for the first time with your child but it does communicate a valuable lesson: that children can make an important difference in a friend's life. It could also be used to show that others' lives may be very different from your own.
April 11, 2014
This is a pretty scary topic for small children. Surprised that this book fit in to the Serendipity Series.
April 14, 2014
Dealt with a difficult subject in a way that made things manageable. Serendipity books like this taught me a lot and made it easier for me as a child to ask the difficult questions of adults.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews