Irene’s parents were always fighting and Dad was leaving. Irene is convinced it’s her fault. Now when she spends time with Dad, she feels sad that Mom’s at home crying and when she spends time with Mom, she sees all of her pain and anger. Irene’s confused; all she wants is someone to listen to her. She pours out her sorrows to her Teddy Bear and in her journal. It’s a very sad and difficult time for Irene and she doesn’t know how to change things. She devises a plan to make her parents finally listen to her, to consider her concerns.

Despina Mavridou’s picture book story, Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?, is a compassionate look at the impact divorcing couples have on their children. The story is told in the third person from Irene’s point of view and includes her detailed journal entries. Irene’s fear and confusion are evident and heartbreaking as she manages to weave her way through the quagmire created by her parents' discord and ultimate separation and divorce. Irene’s feeling of guilt is evident. The author has thoroughly presented a difficult subject from a child’s perspective, complete with simple but telling illustrations to accompany the text.

I like how Despina includes journal entries to strengthen Irene’s position: her confusion, fear, and growing guilt over the divorce. Not only will this tender story help young readers going through a similar situation, but, hopefully, it’ll open the eyes and hearts of the parents who are so focused on their own difficult situation that they neglect to reflect on how it’s affecting their children. The story is carefully constructed to appeal to all members of the family, young and old.

A very well written book which provides an insight into the child's mind, when experiencing a divorce. Easy to read and comprehend. Valuable for both parents (how unwillingly can hurt their childs) and children (they can and have the power to say what annoys them and would like to change, they are not speechless observers).
It showed me another perspective of the unpleasant divorce situation that I had never thought of. Would definiteley recommend it and event give it as a present to a few couples I know.

When mums and dads don’t listen, they sometimes need a loud noise to open wide their ears! The little girl manages to be listened in her own special way. If you read the book, you may understand and avoid her parent’s mistakes. Amazing job

A fantastic resource for children and parents
This powerful book describes the process of divorce from the perspective of a child. Mum, Dad, can you hear me? begins with the child’s uncertainty, and worry about what is happening between her parents and takes us through her father's departure, her visits with her father, her concern about her mother, her struggles to adjust to the unfolding situation, and her desperate plan to bring her parents back together again.
The author beautifully captures the child’s divided loyalties, confusion, disappointments, self-blame, and the relief she feels when she finally expresses her emotions and needs to her parents. Mum, Dad, can you hear me? serves as a poignant reminder for parents to attend to their children’s emotions during the distress of divorce.
I highly recommend this book for anyone going through a divorce with children.