Children's Books on Divorce
Top Picture Story Books Dealing with Broken Families
It is no wonder why divorce can be challenging for children to cope. Changes are thrust upon the children, and it can leave them shaken and unsure of their family. These children's book titles are written to help parents and counselor's bridge the gap of misunderstanding that often occurs in the child's mind.
Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families
Well-known children's book authors Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown provide parents and children with a sympathetic story to address divorce concerns. Though Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families [Little, Brown Young Readers, 1988] is geared toward younger children between ages 4 - 8, it is much too long to be read in one sitting. Parents or counseling adults might better read through the book and pick and choose which portions to read to the child.
The story covers many aspects of divorce that consume young children with worry. As children progress through the various stages of divorce, adults can pull the book from the shelf to help children deal with their concerns. A few of the topics covered include: why parents divorce, what will happen to the child following the divorce, how to handle living in two homes, and when parents beginning dating. Again, this book is a better tool when only the sections that apply to the child's situation are shared. It may be overwhelming to read the book in its entirety.
It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear
This book is intended to be read with an even younger age range, from preschool to about first grade. It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear : A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce [The Book Peddlers, 1997] is a book that focuses on the children's emotions that divorce often elicits - fear, anger, sadness. Vicki Lansky seeks to reassure children that divorce is not their fault and provide them with suggestions on how to deal with their emotions. A delicate and sensitive book, parents can use it to help their child express their emotions and dissuade their fears.
Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce
This book by Cornelia Maude Spelman is better used with younger preschool children. Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce [Albert Whitman & Company, 2001] uses simple sentence structure and warm illustrations to convey the emotions common of children from divorced families. The message is that although the family does not live together, everyone is still loved.
Some families with a strong emphasis on co-parenting might prefer using a different title. The book does explain that sometimes scheduled visitations may not work out, requiring the time to be rescheduled. While the point is to explain that sometimes the parents and children will need to be flexible with visits, it could be seen as casting a negative image on the parent who does not have primary custody.
Was It the Chocolate Pudding: A Story For Little Kids About Divorce
Sandra Levins takes a common fear, the concern that the children caused the divorce, and lovingly constructs a tale that reveals that divorce cannot be blamed on them. As parents share this story, geared for 2 - 6 year olds, it also may help them see divorce through the eyes of their children. Was It the Chocolate Pudding? [American Psychological Association, 2005] is a sweetly told tale that reveals several truths about divorce.
The only caution to parents is that it may be a little wordy for younger children of this age bracket. Parents may wish to pre-read the story and paraphrase it to fit their children's attention spans.
Children's literature can be a suitable vehicle for addressing children's fears and concerns about divorce. Parents should always read through the books first and adapt the wording to fit their families' needs and situation. With gentle understanding, these books may be just the help that children of divorce need.
