Divorce Is the Worst (Ordinary Terrible Things)

Divorce Is the Worst (Ordinary Terrible Things)

Kids are told, "it's for the best"--and one day, it may be. But right now, divorce is the worst. With honesty and humor, Anastasia Higginbotham beautifully conveys the challenge of staying whole when your entire world, and the people in it, split apart. Exceptional in its child-centered portrayal, Divorce Is the Worst is an invaluable tool for families, therapeutic professionals, and divorce mediators struggling to address this common and complex experience. The Ordinary Terrible Things Series shows children who navigate trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact. In these stories of common childhood crises, help may come from family, counselors, teachers, or dreams—but crucially, it's the children themselves who find their way to cope and grow. K-Gr 3—This insightful and attractive picture book looks at divorce from a child's perspective. The title opens on a gender-neutral and ethnically ambiguous child being told by (unseen) parents that they're planning on splitting up. The child addresses readers directly about divorce while going about daily life (riding a bike, going to the bathroom). Higginbotham is honest with kids, acknowledging unpleasant truths, such as typical emotional responses (anger, guilt, sorrow) and what to expect from parents (crying, fighting, even offering kids bribes to soften the blow). She also places the burden directly on parents: "We don't decide our parents' lives. What they decide affects our lives." The beautiful collage illustrations (backgrounds look like ripped or wrinkled craft paper with photos and other images pasted on) and hand-lettered typeface give the book a homemade feel that will resonate with children. Higginbotham's decision not to portray the parents is a wise one: because readers never see a mother or a father, the title could be used for same-sex divorces, too. Appended are instructions aimed at helping kids express negative emotions by making a collage of their own. VERDICT While divorce books are plentiful, this one stands above the rest.—Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI "The illustrations deliver a substantial emotional impact.. But it’s Higginbotham’s directness and refusal to talk down to her audience that will make this book such an asset to families negotiating divorce." — Publishers Weekly "While divorce books are plentiful, [ Divorce Is the Worst ] stands above the rest." — School Library Journal "How can you not love a children's author who sees so clearly from her reader's point of view?” —Julie Bowen, actress, Modern Family "This book provides, through honest language and evocative imagery, a uniquely realistic view of how children experience divorce. While neither softening nor whitewashing this difficult topic, Higginbotham offers an ultimately comforting message to parents and children experiencing separation and divorce." —Lisa Spiegel, LMHC, director of Soho Parenting, NYC "This is a cool book full of medicine for the heartsick child." —Ani DiFranco, musician "I wish so much that this book had existed during my divorce, to help my daughter through. I also wish it had existed during my parents' divorce, to help me through." —Krista Vernoff, Screenwriter, Grey's Anatomy , Shameless "The illustrations deliver a substantial emotional impact.. But it’s Higginbotham’s directness and refusal to talk down to her audience that will make this book such an asset to families negotiating divorce." ― Publishers Weekly "While divorce books are plentiful, [ Divorce Is the Worst ] stands above the rest." ― School Library Journal "How can you not love a children's author who sees so clearly from her reader's point of view?” ―Julie Bowen, actress, Modern Family "This book provides, through honest language and evocative imagery, a uniquely realistic view of how children experience divorce. While neither softening nor whitewashing this difficult topic, Higginbotham offers an ultimately comforting message to parents and children experiencing separation and divorce." ―Lisa Spiegel, LMHC, director of Soho Parenting, NYC "This is a cool book full of medicine for the heartsick child." ―Ani DiFranco, musician "I wish so much that this book had existed during my divorce, to help my daughter through. I also wish it had existed during my parents' divorce, to help me through." ―Krista Vernoff, Screenwriter, Grey's Anatomy , Shameless Anastasia Higginbotham’s essays have appeared in Ms. , Bitch , Glamour , The Sun , The Women’s Review of Books , and in the anthologies Listen Up , 33 Things Every Girl Should Know About Women’s History , and Yes Means Yes .