Jérôme Ruillier

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A Huge Hug : Understanding and Embracing Why Families Change

Beautifully illustrated and simply told, this heartfelt story delves into the emotions children feel when their parents separate. Combining straightforward sentences with the bright and bold-colored circles symbolizing the family members, the gentle message is easily identifiable to children and invites dialogue during story time reading. From the familiarity of being surrounded by one’s parents to the distress felt during their divorce, and then to the anger giving way to acceptance of the new situation, the emotional journey culminates with the realization that love persists and even blooms in the new extended family. This is a very difficult time for children and can be confusing, sad, joyous, and everything in between. This powerful message expresses no judgment so the child and the parent always feel good, even when the family environment changes.