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Grace and Family.
Mary Hoffman. Illustrated by Caroline Binch.
Subject Headings:
Preschool - grade 2 / Ages 4 - 7.
**** /4
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excerpt:
Grace lived with her Ma and her Nana and a cat called Paw-Paw. Next to her family, what Grace liked best was stories. Some she knew and some she made up, and she was particularly interested in ones about fathers, because she didn't have one.
In this sequel to Amazing Grace, Hoffman deals sensitively with
the subject of divorce and new families through remarriage. In
the story, Grace is invited to visit her father in Africa for the
Easter holidays. She has not seen him since her parents were divorced
when she was very young. She wonders if he will still love her even
though he is remarried and has other children. Upon meeting the
family, Grace decides that they make a "storybook family" without
her, and she is "one girl too many". Papa sees her hurt and
convinces her of his love when he tells her a story about "the Papa
who loved his little girl so much he saved up all his money to bring
her to visit him". After a successful visit with her new family,
Grace decides that families can live happily ever after, though not
all in the same place and stories and families will be what you make
them. Vivid illustrations portray the warmth and vibrancy of the
African culture and the loving family that Grace meets there.
Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Buckland.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - DECEMBER 12, 1997.
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