Always, always. Crescent Dragonwagon, il. by Arieh Zeldrich. Ages 4-8
Through spending time with her mother and her father, a young girl comes to understand why her parents’ differences mean that they can’t live happily together, but that they both will always love her very much.
As the crow flies. Elizabeth Winthrop, il. by Joan Sandin. Ages 4-8
A young boy describes the things he and his father do during their yearly visit. When it is time to say goodbye, his father reminds him that although the distance between them is “two thousand miles as the crow flies,” they are separated by only “two seconds as the heart beats.”
At Daddy’s on Saturdays. Linda Walvood Girard, il. by Judith Friedman. Ages 4-8As summer ends and they get ready to go back to school, two young girls try to deal with the news that the grandparents they love are getting a divorce.
I don’t want to talk about it. Jeanie Franz Ransom, il. by Kathryn Kunz Finney. Ages 4-8
During a reluctant talk with her parents about their upcoming divorce, a young girl imagines herself as a variety of different animals as a way to help her cope with her feelings about the changes she faces. Includes an afterward for parents.
Loon summer. Barbara Santucci, il. by Andrea Shine. Ages 4-8
While spending the summer with her father, Rainie wishes her parents would stay together forever, just like the family of loons she sees on the lake.
My mother’s house, my father’s house. C.B. Christensen, il. by Irene Trivas. Ages 3-8
A little girl describes life with each of her
parents in their separate homes. She imagines that when she grows up, she will
create her very own home that combines all the special things she likes about
each place.
On the day his daddy left. Eric J. Adams and Kathleen Adams, il. by Layne Johnson. Ages 5-8
On the day his father moves out of the house, Danny's teacher, friends, and family reassure him that his parents' divorce is not his fault.
Two homes. Claire Masurel, il. by Kady MacDonald Denton. Ages 2-5
Alex enjoys having two of everything in the homes of his mother and father, who live apart but love him very much.
This kid-friendly book from the creator of Arthur addresses many concerns children may have, including reasons for divorce, kids’ feelings about divorce, telling friends, financial changes, new living arrangements and visitation, celebrating holidays, when parent date, stepfamilies, and what kids can do to help things go more smoothly.
How do I feel about my parents' divorce. Julia Cole. Ages 5-8
In colorful cartoons and
photographs, kids talk about what divorce is, why it happens, and how they deal
with their own feelings about divorce in their families.
Let’s talk about it: Divorce. Fred Rogers. Ages 3-6
This simply written book from the star of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood describes the changes children may experience when their parents divorce, offers healthy ways for children to deal with their feelings, and reassures children that they are loved.
Let’s talk about your parents’ divorce. Elizabeth Weitzman. Ages 4-8
Introduces children to terms associated with divorce and offers basic advice on how to deal with their parents' divorce, including coping with feelings and adjusting to new living arrangements.
Talking about family breakup. Jillian Powell. Ages 3-8
Explains in clear, simple language the
emotional and practical problems that arise when parents break up, including
what happens to the children, how life will change, and how it will be the same.
In this sequel to the beloved Amazing Grace, Grace journeys to Africa to become reacquainted with her father and to meet his new family, which includes Grace’s stepmother, half sister, and half brother.
The not-so-wicked stepmother. Lizi Boyd. Ages 3-8
Hessie expects her new stepmother to be mean and horrible like stepmothers in the fairy tales she has read, but she is surprised and confused to discover that Molly is nice and fun.
Sam is my half brother. Lizi Boyd. Ages 3-8
In this follow-up, Hessie’s father and
stepmother have a baby, her half brother Sam. When Hessie first comes to visit,
she fears that Sam will get all the attention, but after a talk with her father,
she begins to feel excited about being a big sister.
Two’s company.
Amanda Benjamin. Ages 3-8
In this quirky tale, a little girl who is used to having her
mother all to herself feels threatened by her mother’s remarriage and responds
by announcing her own plans to marry the little lizard friend who lives under
her pillow.
We’re growing together. Candice F. Ransom, il. by Virginia Wright-Frierson. Ages 4-8
After her mother remarries, a little girl and her new stepfather build a garden together and discover that it will take time for them to learn to adjust to each other.
When I am a sister. Robin Ballard. Ages 3-8
A father tells his daughter what will change
and what will stay the same after he and his new wife have a baby. Warm,
kid-friendly drawings illustrate both the little girl’s fears of being left out
and her father’s reassurance of her continued place in the family.
When we married Gary.
Anna Grossnickle Hines. Ages 3-8
A young girl who only remembers living with her mother and older
sister describes what it is like to get a new Papa, whom she thinks of as a new
piece in the puzzle of her family that fits just right.
How do I feel about my stepfamily. Julie Johnson. Ages 4-8
In colorful cartoons and photographs, kids describe how they cope with having stepbrothers, stepsisters, and stepparents and offer tips on dealing with change in your family.
Let’s talk about it: Stepfamilies. Fred Rogers. Ages 3-6
This simply written book from the star of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood discusses the changes involved in becoming part of a stepfamily and ways to deal with the new situation.
Let’s talk about living in a blended family. Elizabeth Weitzman. Ages 4-8
Introduces children to terms
associated with blended families, or stepfamilies, and offers basic advice on
how to deal with some of the challenges they may face, including coping with
feelings and adjusting to new rules, a new home, stepparents, stepsiblings, and
half siblings.
Ginger Brown: Too many houses. Sharon Dennis Wyeth. Ages 6-8
When her parents divorce,
six-year-old Ginger says good-bye to her old home and her kitten and goes to
live for a while with each set of grandparents. Then each of her parents gets a
new apartment, and Ginger learns to like having many houses with many people who
love her.
Some frog! Eve Bunting. Ages 6-8
Billy is disappointed when his father doesn't show up to help him catch a frog for the frog-jumping competition at school, but the one he and his mother catch wins the championship, and Billy begins to accept his father's absence.
Amber Brown series. Paula Danziger. Ages 8-12
This popular series follows the adventures of
Amber as she deals with all of the changes in her life caused by her parents’
divorce, along with the challenges of being a fourth-grader.
Amelia’s family ties. Marissa Moss. Ages 8-11
Everyone’s favorite journal-writer Amelia records her thoughts and feelings about flying solo to Chicago to meet the father she has not seen since she was an infant and his new family.
Blue sky, butterfly. Jean Van Leeuwen. Ages 10+
In the weeks after her father leaves, eleven-year-old Twig finds her life in chaos as she struggles to keep up with household chores while her mother lives in a daze. Twig wonders if they will ever be a real family again, until gradually they find a way to bring life back to normal.
Coaster. Betsy Duffey. Ages 10+
While secretly building a roller coaster in the woods, twelve-year-old Hart tries to come to terms with his parents' divorce and his mother's new relationship with a television weatherman.
The comeback challenge. Matt Christopher. Ages 8-12
When his parents’ divorce escalates into a bitter custody battle, 12-year-old Mark is forced to live with his grandparents. He seems to be coping well with the change, but one day he loses his temper on the soccer field, and his rage surprises even himself.
Dear Mr. Henshaw. Beverly Cleary. Ages 8-12 (book, cassette, CD, and video)
In letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and finding his own place in the world.
I want answers and a parachute. P.J. Petersen. Ages 8-11
As Matt and Jason fly to San Francisco to visit their father and their new stepmother and stepsister, Matt warns his inquisitive little brother not to ask too many questions, or else their dad will be sorry they came. Lively illustrations brighten this funny and easy-to-read story.
Jason and the losers. Gina Willner-Pardo. Ages 9-12.
Fifth-grader Jason faces many changes when he goes to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin after his parent’s divorce. As he worries about his mother’s finding a job and his father’s constant absence, he focuses his attention on sports and gradually learns to adjust to a new school, a new family, and some new attitudes about friendship.
Rope Burn. Jan Siebold. Ages 8-12
While working on a writing assignment at his new school, 11-year-old Richard adjusts to some of the changes in his life and learns how to express his feelings about his parents' divorce.
Stepsister from the Planet Weird. Francess Lantz. Ages 10+
Twelve-year-old Megan knows there is something weird about the man her mother plans to marry and his seemingly perfect daughter, but it takes awhile for her to suspect that they are aliens. Despite its out-of-this-world characters, this entertaining story depicts what it really feels like when another family joins yours.
The suitcase kid. Jacqueline Wilson. Ages 8-12
Ten-year-old Andrea tries to deal with her parents’ divorce and living in two places with stepparents, stepsiblings, and a new half-sister.
The top-secret journal of Fiona Claire Jardin. Robin Cruise. Ages 9-12
Eleven-year-old Fiona keeps a journal in which she records her fears, feelings, and gradual adjustment in the year after her parents get a divorce.
For better, for worse: A guide to surviving divorce for preteens and their families. Janet Bode and Stan Mack. Ages 10+
First-person accounts from young people ages 8-17 describe the effects of divorce and remarriage and how to handle them. Includes a section for adults that addresses how to minimize both the short- and long-term impact of divorce.
Help! A girl’s guide to divorce and stepfamilies. Nancy Holyoke. Ages 8+
Answers letters written to American Girl magazine by girls dealing with various aspects of divorce, remarriage, and stepfamilies. Includes tips, quizzes, and advice.
How it feels when parents divorce. Jill Krementz. Ages 8+
Young people ages 7-16 describe their diverse experiences with divorce in their own words.
Talking about stepfamilies. Maxine B. Rosenberg. Ages 9+
Children and adults who have become part of stepfamilies reflect on their personal experiences in coping with new stepparents and stepsiblings.
Why are we getting a divorce? Peter Mayle and Arthur Robins. Ages 8-12
This cartoon-illustrated
handbook addresses various topics of concern to kids, including reasons why
people get married and divorced, what happens when a parent finds someone new,
how to deal with blame, how living arrangements might change, and how divorce
can make life better.
VIDEOS
Always my dad. Sharon Dennis Wyeth. il. by Raul
Colon. Ages 4-8
This Reading Rainbow production presents the picture book story of a young girl who does not see her father often, but enjoys the time she and her brothers spend with him while visiting their grandparents' farm one summer.
Tender places. Original play by Jason Brown. Ages 8-12
When ten-year-old Eric is pulled
in opposite directions by his feuding parents, he comes to understand the
painful emotions brought on by their divorce and gains new insight into the
nature of love and loss.
Don't divorce your children: Children and their parents
talk about divorce. Jennifer M. Lewis and William A.H. Sammons.
This clear and practical guide presents the points of view of children, parents, and doctors on a variety of issues that arise in all stages of divorce, including informing the children, setting visitation schedules, moving, dating, facing the social stigma of divorce, dealing with financial concerns, and long-distance parenting.
Parenting after divorce: A guide to resolving conflicts and meeting your children's needs. Philip M. Stahl.
Using real families’ stories, this guide offers advice on issues such as talking to your children about the divorce, sharing your child with the other parent, resolving conflicts between parents, and parenting on your own.
What to tell the kids about your divorce. Darlene Weyburne.
This handbook provides guidelines, exercises, and practical advice to help parents manage many divorce-related issues, such as visitation, rule-setting, coparenting, communication, therapy, stress reduction, dating, remarriage, stepparenting, and understanding your children’s reactions to the divorce.
This handbook provides guidelines, exercises, and practical advice to help parents manage many divorce-related issues, such as visitation, rule-setting, coparenting, communication, therapy, stress reduction, dating, remarriage, stepparenting, and understanding your children’s reactions to the divorce.