Library

Books for Children |  Coping |  Parenting |  Religion

Ginny Morris and Mom’s House, Dad’s House

By: Mary Collins Gallager

This book is appropriate for ages 8-12. It is about a little girl who has two homes and two of everything. She battles practical problems related to her parent’s divorce, like her dad not showing up on Sundays and her Mom being mad. When you read the book you are able to visualize the situations and understand the child’s perspective. This book is suitable for children who are able to read and are at an independent reading level because it is a short chapter book.

Mama and Daddy Bear’s Divorce

By: Cornelia Maude Spelman

This book is for younger ages. It would be a good resource for parents to read aloud to children. It talks about how to handle two home situations. The main character is portrayed as a strong young girl so it provides encouragement for young children who are currently involved in a divorce.

Dinosaurs Divorce

By: Laurene Krasny and Marc Brown

This book can be used as a guide for the entire family. It explains times that children may struggle during a divorce. It is colorful and attractive for young children. One of the best aspects to the book is the way that it targets children’s emotions. It explains that it is ok to cry and even ok to be angry

Two Homes

By: Claire Masurel

This book has amazing illustrations and a good explanation to young children. This book would be most appropriate for very young children or beginning readers. It describes how the little boy, Alex, has two of everything, one at mommy’s and one at daddy’s. This is great because in the end it states that both parents love him regardless of whose time it is with him.

Amber Brown Goes Forth

By: Paula Danziger

This book is from a series of books that are about Amber Brown. This series is designed for girls in 2nd-4th grade. Amber is faced with many divorce-related issues, like sharing holidays etc. This book is appropriate for older readers that can read independently. Overall it provides real situations that Amber faces being a nine year old girl who is constantly having to experience changes emotionally and physically.

Arthur and the 1,001 Dads

By: Marc Tolon Brown

A great book for young children! We see the familiar Arthur character and his friend who does not have a relationship with his father. They all are going to attend a Father’s Day Picnic, but they need a substitute father for Arthur’s friend. It is good at illustrating to children how to be a friend of someone whose parents may be divorced and that fathers can come in many packages.

The Day My Mother Left

By: James Prosek

This book is about a nine year old boy who is dealing with the emotional pain of his parents’ divorce. His mother leaves to live with another man and his father is depressed. He feels like he is in the middle of his parents’ disputes and is trying to survive the battle. This story is very real – although emotional – and really shows how children can blame themselves for a divorce. In the end, the child finds a way to stay strong for himself and his family.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

By: Beverly Cleary

This book is a compelling novel that is suitable for older ages. It is a chapter book that follows a young boy’s feelings about his parents divorce. The story is told as the boy writes to his favorite author about his emotions. He explains what it is like to be going to a new school and having to start over. He struggles at finding a new place in the world. The connection with the author allows the boy to regain his respect for his family and himself.

Kaline Klattermaster’s Tree House

By: Haven Kimmel

This book is suitable for ages 7-12. The book is about a young boy named Kaline whose parents are experiencing a rough divorce. His father has disappeared and his mother is struggling to keep things under control. He has 100 dogs in his imaginary tree house that help keep him happy. He is learning to cope with the struggles of being an outcast at school and his home life being so difficult.

Help! A Girls Guide to Divorce and Stepfamilies

By: Nancy Holyoke

This book is intended for grades 4th through 8th. This book provides advice directly from girls who have experienced divorce. The main purpose of the book is to explain that it is not the child’s fault. In the end the book has quizzes and cartoons to engage the child.

Don’t Fall Apart on Saturday’s: The Children’s Divorce-Survival Book

By: Adolph Moser

This book is a guide for parents and children together. This book explains how to manage and deal with the many changes brought about by divorce. It is easy to read and easy to understand. This book tries to help children understand the situation and eliminate any guilt they may feel over their parents’ divorce and timesharing.

My Parents are Divorced, Too: A Book for Kids by Kids

By: Jan Blackstone-Ford

This book is written by three children who are related through their parent’s marriages and remarriages. They have successfully completed the blending of a family and discuss how to deal with “new” siblings and family situations. It explains the effects of a divorce from a child’s perspective and provides a realistic approach to a serious situation.

Children |  Coping with a Divorce |  Parenting |  Religion

Crazy Time

By: Abigail Trafford

This book is very straightforward and is targeted for those people that feel that no one understands what they are going through. It provides positive support and practical strategies for handling your divorce in the most mature manner.

The Good Divorce

By: Constance R. Ahrons

Considered a landmark longitudinal study of post divorce families, this book continues to provide insight into the lasting effects of divorce. Some may criticize it for “promoting divorce”; however, the goal is really to demonstrate that a good divorce may be better for the family than a bad marriage.

The Collaborative Way to Divorce

By: Stu Webb

This book explains the Collaborative Divorce process which requires both spouses to resolve their differences without going to court by using attorneys, divorce coaches, mental health and financial professionals.

Collaborative Divorce

By: Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson, Ph.D.

Written by an attorney and a psychologist, this book walks you through the steps of collaborative divorce using real life examples and practical exercises.

After Your Divorce: Creating the Good Life on Your Own

By: Cynthia Macgregor and Robert E. Alberti

This book is good for starting over. This book will teach you ways to begin a new life individually without feeling alone. It provides practical advice for many new “single” situations.

Calling it Quits: Late Life Divorce and Starting Over

By: Deirdre Bair

This book is a collection of stories of husbands and wives who chose to end long marriages. It also includes stories of adult children of late life divorces and how they were affected.

Children |  Coping |  Parenting and Divorce |  Religion

Ex-Etiquette for Parents

By: Jann Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe

This is written by someone who has lived it! Blackstone-Ford is a divorce and stepfamily mediator who married Jupe’s first husband. They tackle all kinds of topics including transitions between houses, public event behavior, changing your vocabulary to be more positive and introducing a new partner to your ex and the children. A book like this was long overdue. The authors really encourage people to take positive risks with their behavior to be a model for their children.

101 Ways to be a Long Distance Super Dad…or Mom Too!

By: George Newman

A good handout for people that are either planning on relocating or are facing a relocating child. Some of the technology tips might be outdated, but the point that you can be close to your child even if you live in a different place is a timeless message.

Mom’s House, Dad’s House

By: Isolina Ricci

A classic book for learning about timesharing and giving you tools to work with your children in those situations. A coordinating calendar can be purchased also.

Divorce and New Beginnings: A Complete Guide to Solo Parenting, Co Parenting, and Stepfamilies

By: Genevieve Clapp

This book is specifically designed to teach you how to overcome the challenging parenting aspects of a divorce. This book is also great for moving away from the focus of the divorce and getting on with your life.

Children |  Coping |  Parenting |  Religion and Divorce

Hope for the Separated

By: Gary D. Chapman

This book teaches that life does not end after divorce. It reassures the reader that there is hope, to heal a broken relationship.

When he Leaves: Choosing to Live, Love, and Laugh Again

By: Kari West and Noelle Quinn

This book is for women who are in a situation where they feel that they “may never love again”. This book helps women to understand the changes of a Christian marriage. This book provides encouragement and inspiration.

My Single Mom Life

By: Angela Thomas

A very practical book for single moms. This book gives sound spiritually based advice for dealing with situations from dating to discipline and everything in between. It is an easy read that will leave you laughing.