Jeann Lee C. Patindol, illustrated by Mark Salvatus,
Papa’s House, Mama’s House
Adarna House, 2004.

Ages 4-8

In Papa’s House, Mama’s House three siblings divide their time between the homes of their mother and father. Some things are the same in both households (they eat some of the same foods, play the same games), but others are not. Whereas “in our home with Papa we have many rules. I don’t remember all of them.” in Mama’s house “We only have two rules: “ ‘Be honest’ and ‘Clean up your own mess’.”

Papa’s House, Mama’s House approaches the topic of divorce, a situation experienced by more and more kids throughout the world, from the point of view of one of the children in the family. From a positive angle not always present in chidren’s books (which tend to portray divorce as a family “problem”), the young narrator reveals that, despite the changes in his routine, his parents’ love for him is still the same. Indeed, Mark Salvatus’ multi-media illustrations, while detracting from the story at times with their bright red double-page spreads, provide an overall tone of happiness to the narrative. That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t mixed feelings to be dealt with: “Sometimes it makes me tired going back and forth… Sometimes it makes me sad, too.”

An author’s note at the end of the book explains the story was motivated by the author’s  own divorce and desire to explain to her son that their new situation needn’t change his idea of what it means to be a family. “It’s interesting how the way we define our concepts in our minds affects the degree to which we gracefully accept or struggle with the realities in our lives,” she offers.

The author also says in her note: “In an increasingly complicated world… I strongly believe in bringing up children with a respect and appreciation for diversity and practical examples of struggling to learn how to live as peaceably and harmoniously as one can, amidst differences”. And, true to her intentions, she ends the story with the celebration of the young narrator’s birthday party, where Mama and Papa stand side by side, after working as a team, “peaceably and harmoniously,” to put the party together.

This is a lovely and honest book to help children understand that there are many ways to be - and remain - a family.

Aline Pereira
October  2009