
A parent would reach for this book when their child is beginning to process the separation of two fathers and needs a mirrors-and-windows approach to normalizing their new family structure. The story follows young Jasmine as she navigates the transition from one home with two dads to two separate living spaces, capturing the specific anxieties of moving and the fear that a family's love might diminish when physically divided. Through gentle prose and relatable domestic scenes, the book addresses themes of grief and resilience for children aged 4 to 8. It is an essential choice for parents looking to validate a child's sadness while emphasizing that, although the 'Once Upon a Time' has changed its shape, the parents' commitment to their child remains a constant, unwavering foundation.
The book deals directly with divorce and separation. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the child's emotional stability rather than the reasons for the split. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality of the new routine.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA child aged 5 to 7 who is living in an LGBTQ+ headed household and is currently experiencing a parental split. It is also excellent for any child in a diverse classroom to build empathy for different family structures.
Read this book with the child when you have time for a long cuddle afterward. One scene depicts the physical move, which might be a 'cold' read trigger for kids mid-transition. Preview the pages showing the two separate bedrooms to help the child visualize their own transition. A parent might see their child sitting quietly in their new bedroom or asking, 'Why can't we all be in the same house anymore?' This book is for the moment the child expresses a sense of 'divided' loyalty.
Younger children (4-5) will focus on the physical objects (the toys at each house), while older children (7-8) will pick up on the nuanced dialogue about love and the permanence of the parental bond.
This is one of the very few picture books specifically addressing divorce within a same-sex male headed household, providing much-needed representation without making the 'gayness' of the parents the conflict of the story.
Jasmine lives with her two fathers until they decide to divorce. The narrative tracks her move into two separate apartments, her feelings of being caught between two worlds, and her eventual realization that both dads still love her just as much as before. It focuses on the logistics of two homes and the emotional weight of 'leaving' one parent to see the other.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.