Was It the Chocolate Pudding?: A Story For Little Kids About Divorce Paperback – September 1, 2005

My sister just went through an ugly divorce and her son made some comments about it being his fault. I remembered seeing this at the library, so I ordered a copy for her. In the back of the book, there is some very useful information that you can discuss with your children. Of course, reading the book opens up this line of communication. She said that the book was very helpful.

really nice story to help children understand that divorce is not their fault, which is an almost-inevitable conclusion most kids under the age of 8 will draw. family in the story is obviously a middle class caucasian family having a pretty amicable divorce: families where there has been violence or more argument in front of the kids would want to add some sentences here and there. for example, "remember when mommy and daddy used to yell/hit/argue all the time? that was scary, wasn't it? we didn't want to scare you, so we decided we were better as friends than as husband and wife. i know it is hard to go from house to house, but now it is not scary and we both love you very much." that sort of thing.

Ordered this book along w/3 others for my 5 & 3 yr old boys who are going thru a divorce between their mom & me. It is their favorite 1 out of the 4 - and it is nice that is places a primary emphasis on the role of the 2 boys with their father. However, mom is not negatively portrayed and gets a fairly equal amount of time in the story. It helps explain to the kids that the divorce is not their fault - but something that is only between the adults. It also helps emphasize that both their parents still love them wherever they go. At times, this story is a little more complicated, but I know the message is getting through. I also highly recommend "TWO HOMES", which is a little less complicated and is definitely level-handed for both parents.

This is a great resource for parents or therapists working with young children whose parents are divorced or heading for a divorce. The characters allow for a discussion to normalize feelings that often come up for a child. Through magical thinking children often believe they have the power to "fix it." Their egos only allow for a "Me" and "I" centered view point. It is important for children to understand that they are not the cause for mommy and daddy seperating. But rather the parents chose this because it was the best decision for their situation. I can't wait to share this with my counseling groups of students who are affected by divorce.

Our family is going through a divorce. I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. This book is a little long but is perfect for a bed time reading. I thought this book was different from other divorce books in that it's the mother that left, not the father. The kids stay full time with the father and the mother comes for visits. I think it's a great real life story of children first blaming themselves and then realizing that the divorce wasn't their fault. My 5 year old completely understood what the book was about. Great book.

Excellent story for helping little kids (which mine were) examine their instinctive question: "Was it my fault my parents got divorced?" It uses a minor home disaster caused by two little boys to illustrate what was probably just a "last straw" in their parents' marriage, and it helps them understand that the kids' own perceptions are only a tiny fraction of what happens between two divorcing parents. My sons were 2 and 5 when I moved out, and it seemed perfect for that age. Probably also good up to age 7-8.

Unfortunately, my husband and I are getting divorced. I read previous reviews and this book seemed to fit what we were looking for to ease our kids (ages 5 & 3) into this process. I absolutely love this book!! My 5-yr old is getting it and wants to read this book every night! She seems to put this together with some families at school, also, which helpsher understand why some of her friends have two mommies or two daddies (parents have remarried). Great, easy book to ease kids into a divorce!!!

This little tale could be a valuable example of how divorcing parentsof young children might help the kids better cope with the potentiallydevastating trauma of such family dissolution. The pertinent summary and advice from the author at the end of the story should be read by the parent(s) initially, however. The maturity demonstrated by the parents offers highly desirable role model examples.

This book provided an amazing emotional support for my step children after their parents split up. Living in a single parent family wasn't that unusual other than they were the only children living with their dad. The book also explains how parents separating is not the children's fault but it is a grown up issue. We did adjust some pages to fit personal circumstances but worked so well. With children's logic (5 and 6 at the time), if it's in a book, clearly it's normal. it also offers tips for parents at the back .

Excellent book and one of a selection my Mothers' Union branch have purchased for using in schools in our town. They are used when a child needs to read it or have it it read to them by a supporting adult.

I have a massive collection of therapeutic books, it is defiantly one of the best on the market. It's sensitive, humorous and useful that it's the Mum that leaves, as I'm seeing this more and more.

Good story for young children worried things are their fault.

Great book helpful, funny and great to read as a family or read to your worried child. Enjoyed by 5 & 8 year olds