What shines through this endearingly illustrated picturebook, is Phil Earle’s authentic representation of a familiar experience for many children going through a parental separation and divorce.
Florrie, our heroine, has no doubt that she is well loved by both parents, but what she is trying to adjust to is having two separate homes. It captures perfectly the joy in each relationships and then the difficulty in adjusting to change from one home to another. It powerfully and successfully leaves us in no doubt about the love and security each parent provides and gives a positive portrayal of how separated parents can work together to preserve the security and happiness of their child.
I am sure the idea of ‘magical’ keepsakes will be universally adopted by families going through exactly this transitional phase. This is an incredibly useful and engaging story to have in any Early Years setting. Florrie’s wise summation “If I don’t leave then I cannot come back, can I?" is a lesson to us all in changing negative thoughts to adjust and thrive.
Florrie has two of everything. Two lovely brothers . . . Two smashing parents . . . Two very cuddled pets. But two isn't always a magic number, as Florrie now has to live in TWO different houses: one with her mum . . . and one with her dad.
An uplifting picture book that helps young readers discuss their feelings around divorce and embrace change.
Born and raised in the north of England, Phil Earle is the author of numerous acclaimed, award-winning books for children and teenagers. He has worked as a carer, a dramatherapist, a bookseller and a publisher, and loves talking at schools and festivals around the world. His novel When The Sky Falls won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award and the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction. He lives on the side of a very steep hill with his wife, their five children and two dogs.
