Product Description

Henry's parents fight often and his father sometimes hits his mother, causing Henry to feel frightened and ashamed. Includes a list of things children can do in situations of family violence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #611958 in Books
• Published on: 1991-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-- A bibliotherapeutic tool about domestic violence that's best placed on parenting shelves. An introductory paragraph stresses the universality of family disagreements, then distinguishes between them and family violence. As Henry attempts to shield his younger siblings from their father's abuse of their mother, he worries, experiences embarrassment and fear, and succumbs to daydreaming. Final comments stress that the children are not the cause of or to be blamed for their parents' actions. Appended are lists of what children can do to help themselves and what parents can do. In soft and muted tones, Ritz's sepia and charcoal scenes enhance and elucidate the text. These double-page spreads feature frightened, bewildered, or helpless children; an innovative decorative technique gives the paper the look of having been ripped forcibly from a tablet. Paris's Mommy and Daddy Are Fighting (Seal Pr., 1986) is aimed at a somewhat younger audience, yet places more emphasis on discussion techniques with specific questions offered on feelings, family violence, and family issues. A book on a much needed topic, related in a competent and assuring manner. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

families do fight
Wonderfully written story of a family living with domestic violence. As a domestic violence educator in our county's schools, I read this book to younger elementary students to help them understand that some families, perhaps even theirs, live like this and the child(ren) should not be ashamed about it but know they can/should talk to someone about what they experience.
In this story the dad is abusive to the mother and could be to the children if the mother didn't step in. But sometimes the dad is kind and fun to be with. How does a child process this? Great story!