Cosmos' Blended Family
The Playdate Kids

by Annie Thiel
Illustrated by William M. Edwards

Cosmos' parents are divorced, and Cosmos lives with Dad during the week, and with Mom on weekends. That was hard to get used to but doing things with Dad was great. They go to the park together, cook meals together, and then choose three books to read together at bedtime. But now Dad has fallen in love with Ellen, and she has three kids. Dad and Ellen decide to get married, and so Ellen and her kids are going to move in with Cosmos and Dad. Cosmos just doesn't know what to feel. Everything is very different. Cosmos feels both angry and sad.

This book helps children see that while there are many changes when a parent re-marries, some are good changes, and no matter what, Dad and Mom will always love them just the same. It's ok to have good and bad feelings, but children should talk to their parents and other adults about their feelings.

The whimsical illustrations are great fun and the story has many ideas for conversation starters for your family. The back pages give ten pointers for things to remember about blended families and things to do about feelings. This book would make an excellent gift for any child of a broken home, and should be in every pre-school and school library.