Customer Reviews

The Un-Wedding

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

My three and a half year old has wanted to read this book every day since I bought it. Although Paula and Demetrius's parents aren't the same as my ex and I, reading about other children with "problem parents" seems to have helped my daughter talk about and release some of her feelings about our divorce. She's pointed out how we're different to the Ogglebutts and laughed at them. This book is completely non-judgemental. It tells everything from the children's point of view and shows how they're stuck in the middle and that its *not* their fault. And it's hilarious.

The book is also available in some countries as "Two of Everything".

I wish there were more kids' stories about divorce and children with two homes.

This book is another of Babette Cole's great ones. In it she tells the story of how two children go through the process of their parent's "un-marriage", and come out the other side with everyone still ok and things better than they were before. It would be a gentle way to explain to children that divorce is NOT their fault, but in most cases is just that the parents, who may still love each other, just need to live different lives. The book is spiced up with Cole's usual terrific illustrations, as well as cute text. A must-have for any family contemplating this kind of step, or any Cole fan.

My daughter bought this book back from her school library coincidently (or maybe not!) just as myself and my partner have decided to split up. There has been no acrimony or arguments in our household so our situation is entirely different to the Ogglebutts.

I was surprised to read such vehemently negative comments from reviewers. I think it is a funny book written to give children hope. Divorce or separation can be a good alternative to two parents who are dragging the family through an unpleasant, abusive living situation. I take on board some of the objections that it is not entirely realistic and that it does depict both of the parents as mercenary, shallow fools, but what it does do well is it gives children the hope that they can have 2 happy parents living separately rather than a miserable, rowing couple living under one roof.

Clearly some of the reviewers have strong religious perspectives that have influenced their opinions. As a product of divorced parents myself, I can honestly say I knew of many children growing up, who lived miserable lives with horribly unhappy married parents who were far more traumatised and scared by that situation than I was from mine.

I would definitely recommend this book within a mix of several others to add balance to the child's understanding of the break down of relationships. Ultimately, it remains the parents responsibility to manage the child's understanding and to explain the situation with honesty and clarity.

I read this book in German, however the idea is still the same. This book is absolutely a terrifying book to be given to children. The idea that somehow children should be happy or even excited with their parents "unmarriage" or divorce is completely dillusional. As if kids whose parents are going through divorce need the added pressure of feeling they must behave the same way that Paula and Demetrius do. In addition to that, most kids may wonder how come, unlike in the story, their parents aren't living next door to each other and that they can visit them anytime they please. Absolutely the worst children's book I've ever seen. This should be taken off the market.

I was appalled as I flipped through this book at the library.
Treating divorce like a lighthearted event; a party? Come on!

The idea that any real minister would gleefully participate in celebrating a divorce is just unbelievable.

This books makes light of a terrible tragedy.

As a child psychologist, I see many of these books (as well as work with children going through the trauma of divorce), and this one is terrible. It is a misguided attempt at helping kids deal with their parents' selfishness. It encourages a fantasy-driven approach, where the parents are both horrible, so fantastically wealthy that the children can live in two mansions (oh right, like THAT's going to happen!), and where the children actually celebrate rather than mourn the destruction of their family. Happily ever after apart? The research data clearly do not support that assertion.

This book is a celebration of selfishness, geared to assuage the guilt of parents by presenting divorce as "amicable" and even desireable. Parents would be far better off to sit down and talk honestly with their children, and not just give them more fairy tales. I recommend that parents read books like Wallerstein's "The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce" BEFORE they decide to dissolve the family, rather than try to patch up their injured children with cheesy books like this afterward.

I give it one star for providing the important message that children are not responsible for their parents' inability to maintain a relationship, and for amusing illustrations.