I’m Lucky to Have My Parents, by Radostina Nikolova/Illustrated by Yana Popova, (Jan. 2025, Papercutz), $7.99, ISBN: 9781545815816
Ages 5-8
A child reflects on her family and the fun they have together, but when things change, she has to work through some big feelings. “I am lucky to have my parents”, the story begins, told in first person from the child’s perspective; spreads featuring colorful family album photos and fun activities accompany prose detailing a happy family; some may notice that the girl talks about having fun with her mother or father; the only time she mentions them together is when she notes that “Sometimes Mom and Dad talk and laugh,
but other times they argue and then keep very quiet. / There are times when they are so angry with each other that only I can help”. A torn photo leads to moody black and white illustration as the girl mourns her family’s breakup. After talking with her mother and learning that “Sadness doesn’t need to go away… Whatever you feel inside – let it out,” color returns to the art, and the girl begins to adjust to life with two families. Both parents have new partners, leading to step- and half-siblings. Simple text provides understanding and advice for children going through a difficult time. A good choice for collections.
Mom Read It 