I Don't Want to Talk about It [Hardcover]

Jeanie Franz Ransom (Author), Kathryn Kunz Finney (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When a child's parents tell her they have decided to divorce, the last thing she wants to do is talk about it. Instead, she wants to roar as loud as a lion so she can't hear their painful words, or turn into a fish and hide her tears in the sea, or even become a bird and fly away . But with her mother and father's help, she starts to consider what l ife will be like after divorce and learns that although some things wi ll change, many other things will remain the same. Most importantly, s he realizes that although her parents may not agree about much, one th ing they do agree on is that they both love her very much and will alw ays be her mom and dad.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A competent piece of bibliotherapy aimed at helping children of divorce deal with their new, difficult, and conflicting emotions. Told by a young girl whose parents have just told her they are getting a divorce, the narrative then goes through the range of the child's possible emotions, as the adults suggest how she might be feeling. She, in turn, imagines herself to be an animal that would adequately express her emotions. When her father tells her that it's OK to be scared, her response is, "I wanted to be a lion with a roar so loud that everyone would think I was very brave." Assurances of her parents' continued love and that certain family rituals will remain the same make her feel better. Full-page illustrations capably portray the images in the text, especially the metaphors of the animals that the girl uses to express her feelings. The book concludes with a two-page note to parents suggesting ways to deal with their children's reactions. A worthy and appropriate addition to most parenting collections.
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A worthy and appropriate addition to most parenting collections" -- School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557986649
• ISBN-13: 978-1557986641
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #534,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Just Have To Talk About It, February 17, 2001

By 

Sandra Whittaker "Cornbread" (MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Want to Talk about It (Hardcover)

The text covers the issue of divorce excellently. The "Note to Parents" at the end of the book is a wonderful tool for parents considering divorce or at at any stage of the process. This book is a "must have" for helping children sort through divorce issues AND it is SO MUCH MORE! Less abstract than 'My Many Colored Days' by Dr. Suess, this book is very effective! Through the use of animal imagery 'I Don't Want to Talk About It' covers the range of emotion a child might feel during ANY transitional time. As Director of Children's Ministry, I have used it to open discussion with assorted ages of children dealing with various issues. The kids compare their feelings or situation with the girl in the book. In my book 'I Don't Want to Talk About It' transcends the ages, the issues, and is a lot to talk about.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Starting to Talk about It, October 13, 2000

By 

Kristin W. Nitz (Merano, BZ Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Want to Talk about It (Hardcover)

Some books get to the heart of things. "I Don't Want to Talk about It" is one of them. I could say that it's a skillful psychological examination of the feelings a girl experiences when her parents announce that they plan to divorce. That would be true. But this girl expresses real emotions in ways a kid can completely understand with gobbling crocodiles and prickly porcupines. The animal metaphors make room for energetic pictures by Kathryn Kunz Finney. The lively text and illustrations raise this book head and shoulders above the standard divorce books.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping kids to understand what's happening to them, January 6, 2001

By 

Tracie Kochanny (Midland, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Want to Talk about It (Hardcover)

Children have a hard enough time dealing with their parents' divorce without getting patronizing advice from grownups who think they know better. This book speaks to children on their level, and gives them a chance to realize that although their lives will change, their parents' love for them will not. Children need to know that the things they count on the most will always be there, and this book helps reassure them that they will be OK despite what's going on with mom and dad.