It is tricky enough for an emotionally stable adult to navigate the murky waters of divorce. Let alone a child who is too young to understand the complexities of separation. As expected, children are likely to have questions that are nearly impossible for parents to answer. While I don’t have all of the answers, I compiled a list of books that helped our little family. These top 5 books for helping little ones with divorce are excellent resources for helping very young children deal with the the range of emotions that they will feel through their experience. I wanted my daughter to feel as comfortable as possible during this transition.
My goal was and is to provide her with knowledge that is suitable for her age and to help her with coping mechanisms as she grows and matures in the years to come. Many of the books on this list are not divorce specific, rather they help children deal with issues like separation and identifying emotions. These books are helpful to any young child who is struggling with a difficult situation. Here are my picks for the top 5 five books for helping little ones with divorce:
1. The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
The Color Monster is a beautifully constructed pop-up book. The main character is, the Color Monster, who has jumbled up emotions. The pages of the book are brilliantly colored and they associate colors with emotions. It is a simple and age appropriate tool to educate young children about the identification and compartmentalization of feelings. It teaches children that it is completely normal to have a wide range of emotions. This is not a divorce specific book and could be beneficial to any young child.
2. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
The Invisible String tells a tale of twins who are frightened by a thunderstorm. Their mother explains that all people who love each other are connected by an invisible string and that we are never really alone. It is a book that is excellent for teaching children how to deal with separation.
3. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Kissing Hand is a story about Chester Raccoon and his mother. Chester does not want to go to school. Mother Raccoon kisses Chester’s palm and tells him that whenever he misses her to place his hand on his cheek and that he will feel his mother’s love. This book teaches an easy practice to employ to help a young child cope with being away from mom.
4. My Two Homes Claire Masurel
In My Two Homes, Alex’s parents have shared custody and as a result, Alex now has two homes. The book is beautifully illustrated and talks about the differences at mom’s house and dad’s house, but emphasizes that both parent’s love Alex dearly. This book is a perfect resource for a young child who lives with both parents and a great discussion tool. It is easy for any child of divorce to empathize and relate to the transitions between two home environments.
5. It’s Not Your Fault KoKo Bear by Vicki Lansky
It’s Not Your Fault KoKo Bear is an easy to understand book for both young children and parents. KoKo learns the meaning of divorce, how to acknowledge feelings, and most importantly, that the divorce is not KoKo’s fault. This book is perfect for young children who are having difficulty coping with the changes and emotions that arise from a divorce.
