Best Books About Divorce for Kids – K through Elementary Age

If you’re anything like me, you appreciate that the written word is a magical thing. From the youngest of ages, I recall being pleasure of being read to, subsequently growing into an avid reader myself. With a a bookseller for an uncle and voracious readers as parents, it was inevitable that I would come to raise the next generation with this same sentiment.

A good book takes you in, offering security, fostering the imagination, providing a sense of connection. Today, in honour of Family Literacy Day, I have curated a list of the some of the (in my opinion) best children’s books about divorce that are currently available on the market. This list was compiled after reading through dozens of children’s books; a particularly heartening research project.

For young children, offering them a language with which to articulate their fears and questions about divorce is invaluable. Even for us as adults, we often struggle to find the words to satisfactorily express our emotions. The books I have chosen as “the best” offer a combination of carefully curated prose, rich, engaging illustrations and a level of relatability that lets the child understand that divorce is a shared and universal experience.

Without further ado, let’s dive on in:

Always Mom, Forever Dad

Written by Joanna Rowland, illustrated by Penny Weber, published 2014
Recommended for ages 3 – 10

In the midst of the many unknowns that children may be experiencing during their parents divorce, this book is a beautiful reassurance of the relationship that a child has with each of his or her parents. This story offers a sense of security to young readers as it displays the loving and enjoyable interactions that the young characters have with both their mother and father, wherever the physical location of home may be. It serves as a gentle reminder for parents to help children foster a loving relationship with both parents. For any child who has feared loss after their parents’ divorce, this is a beautiful reminder of unshakable love, belonging and connection.

Divorce is the Worst

Written and illustrated by Anastasia Higginbotha, published 2015.
Recommended for ages 5 – 10.

This book is a raw, real and cathartic. In a world that is quick to try and soothe young children without necessarily recognizing their underlying emotional struggles, Higginbotham offers Divorce is the Worst as a conduit through which to grant children permission not to feel okay and rather to feel as they do, without any measure of shame or guilt. This book addresses difficult truths as it walks through a young boy’s day to day experiences in the aftermath of his parents informing him of their plans to divorce. The audience is taken on a journey through the boy’s fears, anger, loneliness and dismay as a bystander to his parents’ life altering decision.

Immediately, the reader is taken in by the book’s simple yet powerful illustrations as one of its uniquely defining characteristics. Created as a collage from various torn and pasted papers, magazines and fabrics, the young reader is given a sense that divorce is multifaceted, organic and messy.

At the end of the story are suggested exercises, encouraging the reader to create their own collage, expressing themselves and how they feel about their family’s situation. Likewise, the reader is taken through the exercise of “unpacking their backpack of emotions,” offering a parent of caregiver a valuable conversation starter for understanding what emotions their young ones might be carrying in their hearts and minds.

It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear

Written by Vicki Lansky, illustrated by Jane Prince, published 1998
Recommended for ages 4 – 8

It’s Not Your Fauly, Koko Bear, is a sweet story of divorce as told through the eyes of a teddy bear family, helping young children understand big concepts in an easily accessible fashion. Written with the guidance and input of numerous children’s mental health professionals, this book combines a beautiful storyline with a wealth of valuable information for parents in the form of informative footnotes at the bottom of each page.

The book does a wonderful job of simultaneously providing a comforting narrative to children, while offering parents plenty of food for thought. The narrative takes young readers through exercises in building facial recognition of various emotions, as well as touching upon different ways in which teachers can support children through divorce within the classroom environment. The tone of the book is comforting, offering children the reassurance that despite the changes that are taking place around them, there are still many adults who love and care for them unconditionally.

I Don’t Want to Talk About It

Written by Jeanie Frinz ramson, illustrated by Kathryn Kunz Finney, published 2002
Recommended for ages 4 – 8

I Don’t Want to Talk About It is a touching account of a young girl’s visceral response to her parents’ telling her that they are getting a divorce. Throughout the story the reader is taken on a journey through the various emotions, fears and worries that children experience in relation to changing family dynamics. The authour utilizes various animalistic character traits to describe the girl’s emotional journey as her parents gently support her in coming to terms with the inevitable changes. From coming out of her turtle shell to wishing to stampede away, the protagonist finally receives the bear hug of comfort that she yearns for from both of her parents, understanding that their love for her is the one thing that will never change.

Two Homes

Written by Claire Masurel, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Duncan, published 2003
Recommended for ages 2 – 10

To describe Two Homes in one word would be to call it comforting. This book is one of positive vibes and simple words, appropriate for even the youngest of audiences. The authour takes the reader through all of the most enjoyable aspects of each of the two homes that children experience post-divorce. Supported by beautiful watercolour illustrations, this is a feel good book, reassuring children of their parents’ unconditional love, no matter where they are.

Was It the Chocolate Pudding? A Story for Little Kids About Divorce

Written by Sandra Levins, illustrated by Brian Langdo, published 2005
Recommended for ages 4 – 9

This book focuses on an important aspect of the childhood experience of divorce; the self-attribution of guilt for its occurrence. Children often mistakenly think that their parents’ decision to divorce could somehow be their own fault, the result of some misdeed. What this book does so perfectly is to reassure children that they are never at fault for this familial change.

The authour does an excellent job of weaving together a whimsical, humourous storyline with kid-friendly explanations of adults’ common phrases and concepts. The book is one of few to feature a father as a primary custodial parent while still showcasing the children’s mother in a supportive and present role. This book will provide adults with a gentle reminder to take the time to engage their children in conversation related to the divorce and to proactively support their children’s understanding of the changes taking place around them.

Standing on My Own Two Feel: A Child’s Affirmation of Love in the Midst of Divorce

Written and illustrated by Tamara Schnitz, published 2008
Recommended for ages 3 – 8

This book, as indicated within the title, is indeed an affirmation of the many most important truths of divorce. The story is voiced in the first person by the main character, a young boy who offers a confident, positive view of his life after his parents’ divorce. The book reads quickly, with simple vocabulary and a quick rhythmic tone, making it an excellent choice for the early reader to pick up on their own time and again, whether reading with a parent or on one’s own. The book’s bright illustrations add to the positive vibe, letting children know that even once their parents have gotten divorced, there is still plenty for which to be grateful.

Dinosaurs Divorce

Written by Laurie Krasny Brown, illustrated by Marc Brown, published 1988
Recommended for ages 5 – 10

If you’re looking for a children’s book that covers the topic of divorce from nearly every angle, Dinosaurs Divorce is a book that you cannot afford to miss. This book, illustrated in a comic book style of illustration offers an accessible and engaging format to young audiences while simultaneously being chalk full of content.

Written and illustrated by the husband and wife team that created the Arthur children’s book and television series, you can rest assured that this book will be an informative and enjoyable experience. Following a family of cartoon dinosaurs who are experiencing their parents’ divorce, this book is full of conversation starters, covering the gamut from an explanation of what divorce is to various emotions that children will experience and possible reasons for the divorce taking place. The storyline touches upon the legal process that parents endure, as well as children’s experiences in school and on through the concept of blended families.

Interested in purchasing one of these books?

What are your favourite divorce related books for children?
Share below!