Being a parent sometimes means having really difficult conversations with your child. If you and your spouse have decided to get a divorce, explaining it to your kids in an age-appropriate way may feel impossible. Thankfully, there are a lot of great books out there that can help in sparking conversation, discussing feelings surrounding divorce, and ease your child’s fears. Here are a few of our top favorites along with great recommendations by clients. For more, check out our resources page!
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
With half a million copies sold, this accessible, bestselling picture book phenomenon about the unbreakable connections between loved ones has healed a generation of readers–children and adults alike
Family Changes: Explaining Divorce to Children by Azmaira H. Maker
Family Changes is a delightfully informative children’s book that tackles a complicated topic in compassionate, child-friendly terms. Ideal for young minds aged four through eight, it features a colorful cast of fuzzy characters led by a young bunny named Zoey, who is struggling with her parents’ divorce and is riddled by important questions and feelings your child is likely to encounter.
Living with Mom and Living with Dad by Melanie Walsh
In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever.
Standing on My Own Two Feet by Tamara Schmitz
The text in this beautifully illustrated picture book is inspiring, gentle, and uplifting, and teaches kids that having two homes to live in can be just as great as having two strong feet to stand on.
Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brownz
For over 25 years, changing families have been using Dinosaurs Divorce to learn to talk to each other about one of life’s most difficult moments.
Two Homes by Claire Masurel
The gently reassuring text focuses on what is gained rather than what is lost when parents divorce, while the sensitive illustrations, depicting two unique homes in all their small details, firmly establish Alex’s place in both of them.
The Family Book by Todd Parr
The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.
My Family’s Changing by Pat Thomas
This unusual picture book for younger children explores the issue of divorce. The author of this book is a psychotherapist and counselor and helps children to face their fears, worries, and questions when their family is going through a break-up.
Do you have a favorite that you don’t see here? Email us and let us know one that needs to be added to the list! Need more resources? Contact San Diego Family Mediation Center.
