Book Reviews

"Honey and Me" by Karen McCombie

Honey and Me by Karen McCombie, reviewed by Claire Colbert.

This is a book that I would say is aimed at a child in Key Stage 2.  It is about a girl whose parents are separating who calls on a former imaginary friend to help her through the difficult times.  The book is a dyslexia friendly book and helps show how things improve despite there being “sad times”.  It emphasises the role of friends and talking/writing letters to help you through the difficult times.  This book was a very simple and clear book however having read this the only comment that I would make would be the difficulty for some children in understanding the role of the imaginary friend if they had not had one before. 

The book was very clear and advised the role that friends generally have which could be a valuable lesson for a child experiencing difficulties following separation.

"Scrum" by Tom Palmer

Scrum by Tom Palmer, reviewed by Marc Etherington

This book, written in the first person, follows the story of Stephen. He is a 14-year-old boy who lives with his mother and her partner in Leeds and has a strong relationship with his father. The story begins with Stephen being told by his mother that she is going to marry her partner and together they will be relocating to the south of England. The themes explored in this book for Stephen are relocation, and being torn between two male role models and two homes.

I was very impressed how the book explored Stephen’s feelings in a child friendly manner. I read about Stephen’s hope that his mother and father would still one day reconcile, his fears in relocating, his conflict choosing between Rugby Union or Rugby League and his attempts in trying to make all members of his family happy. I found it interesting that the book further identified how children can identify the views of a parent simply by observing their body language or listening to the tone of their voice. This is something perhaps parents are often unaware of when communicating with their children.

By trying to please all, this inevitably proves too much for Stephen causing him distress and the relationship with his father to breakdown. Indeed, Stephen’s father appears so consumed by his own aspirations that he loses sight of Stephen’s wishes and feelings. Without spoiling the ending I am pleased to say the story does finish on a positive note.

The book itself is aimed for children who are aged 8 but could be suitable for children slightly older as well. It appears the author has worked hard to make sure that this book is easy to read so that it is also suitable for children who are dyslexic. Indeed, there is a very inspiring forwarding note from Kenny Logan, a well know rugby union player, who himself is dyslexic.

This book was an enjoyable read, easy to follow and touched on several issues that can arise in Family Law. It is a book I would recommend for children who perhaps may face similar challenges to that experienced by Stephen.

"Anna Liza and the Happy Practice" by Eoin Colfer

"Anna Liza and the Happy Practice" by Eoin Colfer, reviewed by Hannah Nicholls

This book is aimed at children aged 5 years plus and I would say that this is accurate given its content. The story follows Anna Liza whose Mum is a Psychiatrist, which she refers to as a "brain doctor". She too aspires to become a Psychiatrist when she is old enough and tells the story of her setting up a 'Happy Practice' insider her Mum's waiting room trying to cheer people up and make them happy. 

The focal point of the story sees Anna meeting a little boy called Edward whose Dad is a patient of her Mum's. She describes Edward as the saddest boy she has seen and it turns out he is sad because his Dad is sad due to the fact that Mum has left them. Anna then makes it her personal mission to change the situation and to make Edward's Dad happy again so that they can be happy together. Her plan succeeds and the story ends with the little boy and his father reconnecting and enjoying themselves as a unit of 2. 

The book was enjoyable to read and highlighted the impact of separation upon a child and also the effect of the parents' feelings and mood on the child. I am not sure children of 5 would view the issue of getting help for those feelings or how to address them but I liked that it referred to this the throughout the book - it showed that a child or parent does not have to be sad or alone in their thoughts and that help is available. It also showed how the child's own feelings can sometimes be ignored due to the sadness of a parent. 

The book was also dyslexia friendly with good sized font and excellent use of illustrations.

"Worry Angels" by Sita Brahmachari

"Worry Angels" by Sita Brahmachari, reviewed by Carol Ellinas

This is a sensitively written unfussy and ultimately uplifting book about a young girl's 'anxiety' following her parents separation.  The main character Amy-May worries about everyone except herself. 

Amy-May has to move from a rural cottage to an inner city so that her mother can work (shes a nurse). Amy-May was keen on gardening so this hobby is curtailed and she has to adjust to many losses in her life. Her father is an artist who moves to a remote cottage which she eventually visits. 

All the main characters are kind and slightly alternative. She is too anxious to join mainstream school so attends a wonderful interim 'art house' where she meets a refugee family and makes friends with the daughter who has experienced war, loss and an even bigger move to the UK. Through her friendship she learns to talk through her issues and learns how sharing problems helps. The kind lady running the half way school makes her children beautiful 'worry angels' which she gives to the children when they are ready to move on.

Although not easy to read to begin with it turns into a very uplifting story about hope and the importance of friendship. 
I would say that this book is aimed more at young girls aged 10 - 13 and their parents.