Kids Books
It is helpful for kids to have books to read about divorce. Books on divorce can introduce the topic of divorce to children and provide useful information to children relating to different divorce scenarios. Books can also help children manage their feelings and get answers to questions about divorce as well as open dialogue between children and parents. It is very helpful to have books ready to give to or read with your child at the time you tell your child that you are getting a divorce.
Kids 0-7
Dinosaurs Divorce
Laurie Krasny Brown
This is a great book that introduces divorce in a friendly way to kids using pictures and a few sentences per subject. The book has a dictionary that explains common divorce terminology to kids in an easy to understand manner. Dinosaurs Divorce encourages kids to communicate their feelings with parents and therapists. Some topics covered in this book include why parents divorce; common kid’s feelings relating to divorce; moving; missing parents; visiting parents; having two homes; celebrating holidays/special occasions; telling friends; meeting parents’ new friends; living with stepparents & stepsiblings.
It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear
Vicki Lansky
This book offers a great kid’s perspective on divorce through its main character Koko Bear. Koko Bear asks a lot of common questions kids have regarding divorce and provides a lot of good answers. The book focuses on Koko Bears feelings and experiences which makes it relatable to children. The book provides helpful advice and notes to parents at the bottom of each page. Some topics covered in this book include the concept of “family”; school; living in two homes; dealing with kids feelings and changes; concept that not the child’s fault.
Two Homes
Claire Masurel
This is a simple, positive picture book for younger children. The book focuses on the subject of children having two homes as a result of divorce and that children are loved by both of their parents.
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
Jeanie Franz Ransom
This book is especially good if parents’ fighting/not getting along was the impetus for the divorce as it discusses the concept of two happier homes. The book uses images of animals which makes it good for young children. It also discusses a broad range of feelings that kids may have such as anger, guilt, fear, sadness, loneliness and addresses common kid’s concerns about divorce (reasons for divorce, life with two homes, not the kid’s fault) and provides reassurance of both parent’s love. There is a note to parents from a psychologist at the end of the book.
Kids 8-12
Divorce is Not the End of the World Zoe and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids
Zoe and Evan Stern
This is a good positive book for late elementary school children and tweens. The book is easy to read and offers the perspective from a kids point of view, their mom’s point of view and the kid’s point of view from when they are older. It also gives quick tips and takeaways and has an interactive section to engage the reader. The book gives good, relatable advice to kids and covers a wide range of topics including kids’ feelings; wishing parents would get back together; living in two homes; kids in the middle of parents; birthdays; and stepparents and stepsiblings
American Girl – A Smart Girl’s Guide to her Parent’s Divorce
Nancy Holyoke
This is a great book for young girls to read and engages them with information, quizzes, pictures and lots of discussions and good advice. There is a good checklist in the book for kids that summarizes key issues. Key topics covered in this book are how to deal with emotions relating to divorce; moving; counseling; wishing parents would get back together; living in two homes; missing parents; different rules with parents; holidays; being in the middle; and stepparents and stepfamilies.
Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids
Isolina Ricci
This is a great book, especially for families where one or both parents move on to another relationship/gets remarried. This book gives great advice and uses specific situations and scenarios to show different resolutions and problem solving techniques that are relatable to children. The book gives children different ideas on how to deal with their feelings and communicate with their parents and others. This book hits many common topics relating to divorce as well as discusses siblings and only children; friends; and school.
What Can I Do?
Danielle Lowry
This book offers a good support for kids who don’t understand why their parents are divorcing and believe that they can do things to get their parents back together. The book relays the message that divorce is not the fault of the children and that children cannot do things to change the divorce situation. This book also suggests counseling as a helpful tool and discusses common divorce issues and concerns.
