Tight Times (Picture Puffin Books)

I was excited to share this book with my daughter who leads a pretty privileged lifestyle considering I grew up tearing the couch cushions apart looking for loose change growing up. It was too vague for kids to pick up the difference between "Mr. Bulk" and "cereal in little boxes" then avoids anything about what the parents actually discussed. The moral of the story seemed to be that if you bug your parents enough (I want a dog, I want a dog) and catch them at a vulnerable time (dad lost his job and sent the kid outside while the parents talked) you'll get what you want (I found a cat in the trash, can I keep him?).

Favorite book of my son, teaches kids it is OK to be sad sometimes but life will get better.

Sweet, "real" story, excellent detailed pencil-drawn illustrations... love anything illustrated by Trina S Hyman! best for ages 3-8, but adults will appreciate it too. I like that it shows the parents being emotional and crying at one point. It's not all roses, but the message is real and shows a family getting through the rough times together.

Was super glad to find this book as it was one of my favorites as a kid. I love the message of the story and I think, although the book is decades old, it still stands for families today. Will be saving it for my little one to read one day...

It's okay, but I was hoping it would explain class issues in a way a child could understand. I didnt really see a message in it like I had hoped!

The black and white illustrations fit the grittyness and reality of the subject of the book. Wonderful study of the human form. I am a Trina Schart Hyman fan!

I want my granddaughter to understand that not everyone is as lucky as she. This was written in a thoughtful demeanor and I just love the story.

This is a great book that ALL families should read! Very practical, charming and humbling. I might try other books from the same writer and hope they are just as good!

Now rather dated (e.g. A kids' book with pictures of mum and dad smoking and drinking probably wouldn't pass today's political correctness test) but the key issues are still the same - a family's hardship seen from a child's perspective. Retains a certain charm and the pencil drawings add subtly to the text without detracting from it.

Great way to address the reasons for poverty or homelessness beyond addiction, mental illness or the perception of laziness. Sometimes times are tight and families find themselves under stress due to unemployment, illness, family stresses. This story opens the door for a discussion that can challenge us to be empathetic, compassionate and even giving.

Too small of book to suit my purposes in shared reading for Kindies.