[.ca] A New Room for William (ISBN 0747550484)

From Amazon.co.uk:
A New Room For Williamis a sensitively worded and illustrated picture book about the fears a small child faces when his little world is turned upside down by moving house. Naturally enough, little William is dazed and confused at the turn his little life has taken, and doesn't understand why the things he has grown to know and love must change. He finds his new room dark and daunting enough, but the fact that his dad hasn't moved into the new house with himself and his mother is causing great concern. He soon finds ways to cheer himself up, but one big question still remains unanswered... A beautifully moving picture book that deals delicately with a marriage break up, A New Room for William is a sensitive portrayal of the thoughts and emotions of a little boy in the midst of a dramatic life-change. Magical, washed illustrations combine with simple, easy to follow text, helping to make this book an unforgettable and informative read that doesn't preach or patronise, but simply explores the worries of a little boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. A great book for sharing, this touching picture book is ideal for explaining the difficulties of a marriage break-up, but is also a simply lovely story dealing with change in a straightforward, no nonsense manner. (Age 3 and over.) --Susan Harrison

A New Room for William by Sally Grindley:
This storybook is suitable for children ages 6-8; younger children will need to have it read to them. The book tells of William, who moves to a new house with his mother after his parents separate. While the book doesn't allude to the fact that William's parents no longer live together until near the end of the story, it is clear throughout that William is uneasy about the move to the new house and and other changes in his life. He feels nostalgia for the old house and at first is unwilling to make the effort to like his new home. William's mother reassures him by involving him in decorating his new room. His growing eagerness to decorate his room with a dinosaur motif, as well as meeting a friend, helps him to begin to feel at home. When William realizes that his father will still be in his life and that he can decorate his bedroom at his dad's new home as well, he begins to feel comfortable with his new life. The book should appeal to children who are experiencing changes in their own lives and espcially to children who like dinosaurs. It is well-written and nicely illlustrated in a brightly colored watercolor style.