Mum and Dad Glue

Product Information

Kes was voted by the Independent as one of the TOP TEN children's authors and he is the author of the award-winning Eat Your Peas and winner of the Red House Children's Book Award.

He's going through the usual emotions that children of divorce go through: worry, feeling unsure, blaming himself, anger, denial, and then trying to get them to stay together.This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. As the book progresses we see the kid try to get his parents together again, to have them kiss, to have them love each other again. This book is really important to share with children whose parents have or are in the process of splitting as well offering a sense of understanding to others. I think this book could be a very useful in the classroom, and read to nursery or reception children because it deals with such a relevant topic that any of them could experience.

Perhaps this would be a great story to talk about the effect of structure on the reader and the illusions that structure helps to create. I am glad that the parents talked to him, that the parents made time to make sure he was fine, and that they explained everything to him. This can be used as a conversation started with those children in your class that are going through this tough situation. If you require any changes to this format please indicate in 'Any comments or special requirements' box at checkout. It softly and gently addresses what can be such a difficult subject with lighthearted illustrations and rhyming poetry.Mum and Dad Glue” is an exceptionally well written and beautifully illustrated picture book by the absolutely fantastic Kes Gray. This book would be a good one to use if a child in your class was experiencing family issues in relation to their parents splitting up as it explains how to view the situation more positively instead of feeing down about it. He goes on a hunt to try and find some glue to stick them back together but then realises that you cant find glue for the heart. The illustrations were very detailed and used warm toned colours which was quite effective in making me feel comforted whilst reading it. Mum and Dad Glue is very much a message book, and is aimed squarely at young children in the exact same situation as the unnamed hero.

It is something I have seen happening in other books about divorce, and it always breaks my heart and makes me tear up. By creating this sense of emotion the book is ideal to create and sustain a dialogue with the child and also provides the child with the feelings that this is okay, and it is okay to question the events that are happening around them. In spite of his initial apprehension, Gray said that he wanted to provide a view of divorce (from a child's perspective), that was not only just, but one that lent itself to honesty and integrity. The illustrations highlight how, to them, it can feel like their whole world is breaking and changing which gives the adult reader a perspective on how the process can feel very overwhelming for the child/children involved.It is important for him to look into the future and see that things will be okay and that they will always love him.