Review by Booklist Review
Auset's parents are divorced. She has two homes, two Christmases, two birthday parties, and one broken heart. When she feels sad, she soothes herself with the music of Bob Marley and her stuffed dolphin, Dolphie, which acts as her therapist when her human therapist doesn't provide the help she needs. Told through lyrical free verse, Auset's story will draw empathy from young readers as she struggles to fit in her newly split-up world. Colorful acrylic-on-canvas artwork is alive with emotion and dynamic perspective, as rough brushstrokes create textured backgrounds upon which intangible objects and feelings, such as "Marley's healing words" made manifest in musical notes and butterflies, surround Auset. The illustrations show that even though Auset feels sadness over her parents' divorce, she still experiences joy from the love both parents provide. Auset and her family are Black, and elements of Black culture and heritage are sprinkled throughout. Picture-book collections will be well served by this book, which will help young readers know that they are not alone or to blame as their family goes through divorce.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Datcher's rendering of a child's thoughtful voice and Palmer's distinctive, bold-hued illustrations together limn a Black youth's view of parental divorce. While Auset's parents try to highlight small joys following their split--like double celebrations for birthdays and holidays--the child feels that "I got split/ In two/ too." A homemade dolphin ("My secret therapist"), inspiring lyrics from iconic musicians (Sweet Honey in the Rock, Bob Marley), school lessons, and a love of science help Auset stay grounded across two househoulds and "One heart/ Which feels/ Unlucky/ When it's broken." Expressive brushstrokes add movement and emotion to the acrylic-rendered scenes throughout a resonant portrait of unexpected change that focuses on emotional upheaval and quiet resilience. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 4--An unnamed Black girl must deal with myriad challenges; most difficult is her parents' recent divorce, although she also struggles with being bullied, her father's depression, and that she masks her own feelings about all of it. To cope, she draws on and finds truth in music, such as Bob Marley's lyrics of "everything little thing is gonna be alright." She also finds solace in school, where she excels with a passion for science, drawing strength from historic and noteworthy Black scientists. She is clearly loved and comforted by her parents and does her best, choosing joy through the challenges. Illustrations match the big feelings in the book with blood platelets (stylized bright red globs) dancing across a spread, a karate kick jumping off the page, and a literal family tree with relative's portraits decorating branches. A strong use of color and movement within the paintings reveals the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist, most poignantly, the image of her broken heart and body because of the divorce. Text, though prose, is spare, lyrical, and powerful, such as when she writes of her comfort creature knowing "what is it's like to the stitched back together when their tender insides are sticking out." VERDICT Heartfelt and moving, this is an exceptional must-have for the shelves for helping children deal with divorce and other challenges.--Melisa Bailey
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A poetic, honest, child's-eye view of divorce. Auset's parents named her to honor their African American ancestors, but family honor didn't prevent divorce. As Auset mourns being split between two homes, she finds comfort and strength in the music of Bob Marley and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Auset's therapist isn't skilled at "sewing kids back together," but the protagonist confides in her stuffed animal, Dolphie the Dolphin, who knows about being "stitched / Back together" and doesn't write notes about her when she cries. Auset's parents' excitement over her good grades lessens the impact of the divorce, but the family division still cuts deeply. After kids criticize Auset's raspy voice and boyish clothes, she feels better from learning new things, listening to music she loves, and excelling in karate, but she's not proud about hurting another kid with her martial art. Auset hides her true feelings from her mom but shares them with her dad, with whom she keeps it real. Palmer's textured, full-color acrylic-on-canvas board illustrations capture both Auset's love for her parents and her turmoil over their divorce, even though both are still actively involved in her daily life. This homage to Bob Marley, whose image and lyrics appear often, demonstrates that divorce is hard on kids, even if things are "gonna be all right" eventually. A beautifully illustrated tale that will help children of divorce feel seen.(Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
