Welcome to our Book List for Younger Children (in no particular order) that have been recommended by single parents for younger children (under 10’s) to help them understand family circumstances. There are links to where you can buy the books from, however these may not be the cheapest option, so do your research!

   Dinosaur’s divorce by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown
Sympathetic to the full range of feelings that divorce produces, evocative cartoon dinosaur characters convey the message. Chapters address such concerns as why parents divorce, what will happen to ‘me’, where will holidays be celebrated, living in two homes.

   Children don’t divorce by Rosemary Stones and Nicola Spoor
Covering issues around divorce eg the effects on friends at school, visits by a social worker and the arrival of a new partner. The book looks at separation and divorce from the child’s angle and offers a good opportunity for children to explore and express their feelings

   Was it the chocolate pudding? by Sandra Levins and Bryan Langdo
A story about divorce in a typical family, with age-appropriate explanations with childlike innocence and humour, this book explains divorce from a kid’s point of view.

   When Katie’s Mum and Dad separated by Sarah, Duchess of York
Provides child-friendly advice on coping when parents separate, and gives reassurance for children who think they may be responsible for their parents’ separation. Katie realizes that her parents are happier apart, and that no matter what, some things will never change: she loves her dad and mum very much, and they will always love her back.

   My family’s changing by Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker
This is a picture book that takes the subject of divorce and explains the facts gently but seriously. It addresses the child directly and is designed to encourage interaction between parents and the child, dealing with difficult personal and emotional issues for younger children.

   All Families are Special by Norma Simon
The book helps children understand how people in the family support each other through good times and bad. It introduces children to many different types of family (single parents, divorced, same-gender parents, multi-generational, adopted).

   Love is a Family by Roma Downey
Lily storms home to her mother one day, demanding a real family. She’s positive they are the weirdest family. Her single parent mum doesn’t seem overly fazed, reminding her daughter that they are a “small kind” of family, but real nonetheless.

   What are Parents? by Kyme FoxbyLee
Playfully rhyming words and beautifully illustrated pictures lead a child through a journey to discovering diversity while learning to accept their unique family. The book teaches children that there are all types of families in this world and what makes a parent is someone who loves, teaches, sings, laughs and is devoted to their child.

   Raising You Alone by Warren Hanson
This is an essential book for any single parent family. With heart and humour, it talks about the quirks and challenges that must be faced every day. A picture book for parents as well as children, this honest, engaging story is the perfect way to say, “I will always love you.”

   Do I Have A Daddy? by Jeanne Warren Lindsay
Addressing single parent families, this book helps kids with absent, deceased, and unknown dads talk about and deal with this often difficult situation. When Erik, a preschooler, is teased by other children about not having a dad, his mother explains that there are many kinds of fathers, and not all of them live with their children.

   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 mums 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.

   Goodnight Daddy by Angela Seward
This is a realistic portrayal of a little girl’s love for her absent father and her disappointment at being “stood up” by him. Her mother helps her realize that she can cope with being disappointed by someone she loves and move ahead with her life.

   Mum and Dad Glue by Kes Gray
A book about a boy coming to terms with his parents’ divorce, with a powerful message that even though his parents may be broken, their love for him is not.

  Two Homes by Claire Masurel
Alex has two front doors, two bedrooms and two very different favourite chairs. He has a toothbrush at Mummy’s and a toothbrush at Daddy’s. But whether Alex is with Mummy or Daddy, one thing stays the same: Alex is loved by them both by always. This portrayal of the life of a child whose parents are divorced is full of warmth, comfort and affection.

   Why don’t I have a Daddy? by George Anne Clay
As the little lion cub notices all different types of families, he starts to question his own family. His family consists of his mother and him. The little cub learns that while there is no daddy in his family, there is a donor lion who made his life possible. Through his mothers love and nurturing, the lion cub understands how special he and his family are.

   Man’s Work by Annie Kubler
This book contains no words just pictures so the story can be made up by the parent. It could be good for single dads, to show dads and their sons together without their other parent. It contains drawings of daddy and his son doing household chores, such as cleaning the house together. They hoover, wash up, pick up toys and make the house spick and span.

   Mum and Dad split up by Elizabeth O’Loughlin and Kayleigh Adams
The simple story of a family splitting up is told from a child’s point of view and illustrated by a child, letting young readers know they are not alone. Designed for adults and children to read together, or for older children to read by themselves, the book acknowledges children’s distress and encourages children to find their own way of coping with the trauma and upheaval life has thrown at them.

   Rainy Day by Emma Houghton
It’s far too wet for the fair, and Ned thinks his special day with Dad is ruined. What can they do when it’s pouring with rain? Luckily, Dad has plenty of ideas and gradually Ned finds out that rainy days aren’t so bad – and they don’t last for ever.

   Two of everything by Babette Cole
Demetrius and Paula are two perfectly beautiful children, but they have a pair of parents who do nothing but argue, bicker and clash. In fact, they begin to worry that it’s all their fault, which leaves them feeling very sad and confused. So they call a meeting at school to see if anyone else is in the same parental predicament – and it turns out they’re not alone!

   Where has daddy gone? by Trudy Osman and Joanna Carey
When parents separate, children are casualties. This story of what happened to one little boy provides a sympathetic opportunity to broach the subject within the family, and help children not personally involved to understand what may be happening to their friends. A family story which tackles the subject of separation in a simple and sympathetic way.

   Since Dad left by Caroline Binch
Sid is cross. He doesn’t understand why his mum and dad don’t live together anymore. Sandra, his mum, arranges for him to spend some time with Mick, his dad, but Sid doesn’t want to go. But Mick slowly wins him over, and by the time he returns to his mum, Sid feels he really has a dad again.

   Mom’s house, Dad’s house for kids by Isolina Ricci
The focus of this book is the positive and proactive things kids can do to feel better. It gives tips on how to talk to parents about problems, strategies for addressing and resolving problems and answers to kids’ unasked questions. The book doesn’t end with the divorce, but continues with what to expect and how to cope when the family changes once again into a stepfamily. A must-read for kids whose parents are separating, divorcing, dating, or remarrying.

   Jigsaw puzzle family; the step kid’s guideby Cynthia MaGregor Step
For all the kids who wonder how the jigsaw puzzle pieces of their newly combined family will ever fit together”, a warm and understanding resource for children of divorce. Jigsaw Puzzle Family helps kids realize they’re not alone — many other kids are dealing with a new stepparent, new stepbrothers and/or stepsisters, a new house with new rules. Readers will find dozens of practical and helpful suggestions for making stepfamily life better.

If you have older children you may be interested in having a look at our Books for Older Children (10+ Yrs) to help them to cope with Divorce or Separation.