Reading books with younger children can help them find reassurance through the characters in the book. For older children who read independently parents may also wish to read the books so that they know what questions, ideas and themes may come up for their children. Having a range of books can help children as they go through the different stages of adjusting to their parent’s decision to end their couple relationship. The following books can be ordered via your local library inter lending service or purchased new or second hand via online bookstores.
Fiction – Separation and Divorce
A First Look At: Family Break-Up: My Family’s Changing by Pat Thomas – includes a handy guide for adults on how to use the book.
Was it the Chocolate Pudding?: A Story for Little Kids About Divorce by Sandra Levins.- This book has a great final section for adults about helping children adjust to their parents’ separation.
Why did Daddy Leave by E.M. Makins.
Fiction – Coping with feelings of Sadness, Loss and Anxiety
The Sea that went out and never came back by Margot Sunderland & Nicky Hancock.
The Frog who longed for the moon to smile by Margot Sunderland.
The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside.
Starving the Anxiety Gremlin by Kate Collins-Donnelly.
Fiction – Adjusting to Two Homes
Two of Everything by Babette Cole.
Two Homes by Claire Masureii.
Living with Mum and Living with Dad: My two homes by Melanie Walsh.
Non-fiction
When Mom and Dad Separate Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief from Divorce by Marge Heegaard.
This American workbook is aimed at 6 -12 year olds and provides space for them to write, colour and draw to express their feelings.
The Emotionary: A Dictionary of Words That Don’t Exist for Feelings That Do by Eden Sher.
Fiction – Separation and Divorce
The suitcase kid by Jacqueline Wilson.
Clean Break by Jaqueline Wilson.
Fiction – New Partners and Remarriage
Google Eyes – Anne Fine.
My Messed-up Life – Susie Nielsen.
Non-fiction
Mom’s House, Dad’s House, Feeling at Home in One Home or Two by Isolina Ricci.
Another US publication designed for age 10 and up with tips and exercises to help children build skills as families change.
What in the World Do You Do When Your Parents Divorce?: A Survival Guide for Kids by Kent Winchester.
Divorce Is Not the End of the World: Zoe’s and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids by Zoe and Evan Stern.
Divorce Survival Guide for Kids by Samantha and Alexa Smith.
Non-fiction
Now What Do I Do?: A Guide to Help Teenagers with Their Parents’ Separation or Divorce by Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski.
The Divorce Helpbook For Teens by Cynthia Macgregor.
Other Resources for Teens
A place for teens to find support and safely share with additional resources for parents too.
