Milly’s Parent Airport

Rachel Brace

Angela Perrini

Little Steps, 2024

32pp., pbk., RRP $A16.95

 9781922833136

For many children, airports are a place of great excitement and anticipation as the prospect of a holiday somewhere or meeting a long-gone relative looms large.  But for some, like Milly, they can be places of uncertainty and butterflies-in-the-tummy as it means they are leaving one parent and going to visit the other.  And even though it is a journey Milly has made several times, there is still the anguish of saying goodbye to her mum and the anxiety of going to meet her dad and wondering what changes are in store.

With holidays looming, this is a story that will resonate with many of our young readers and Milly’s strategies for dealing with the what-ifs, like breathing slowly and deeply and understanding that if there is turbulence of any sort -on or off the ground – it won’t last for ever.

Written by a psychologist who works with children in families experiencing divorce, there are a couple of pages of very helpful hints for both parents and children to make the transition less traumatic so that everyone stays calm and supported, regardless of where the changeover takes [lace, making this a useful text for both the family and school library.