Book Reviews

Sometimes “Tough Stuff” happens within families.  I want to support you by providing storybooks that may be a helpful resource for you during these times.  Below is a list of children’s storybooks that may work for your family or someone you know.  I encourage you to read them before sharing those with children to ensure you are comfortable using the content and that they are appropriate for the child’s age and development.  

Divorce and Separation

It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear by Vicki Lansky

Target Audience: 4-8 years

Family Issue: Parents getting a Divorce

This book addresses divorce in a very age appropriate way for young children.  It is the story of Koko Bear whose parents are getting a divorce and the father is moving to a new house.  As Koko adjusts to living in two homes he asks his parents questions to better understand what is happening.  The story also has adult tips on the bottom of each page to help parents process the issue as well.  This book is recommended to parents who are getting a divorce and both parents are remaining present in the child’s life (would not recommend for issues of addiction or abuse where one parent won’t be present in the child’s life).

Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

Target Audience: 4-9

Family Issue: Parents getting a Divorce

Dinosaurs Divorce walks children and parents step by step through the divorce process.  It addresses questions such as: Why Parents Divorce, After the Divorce, Living with One Parent, Having Two Homes, Celebrating Holidays, and Having Stepsisters and Stepbrothers.  The authors address the questions in an age appropriate way and also incorporate emotion pages to help children identify what they are feeling.  This book is recommended to families going through a divorce where both parents will be present in the child’s life.

I Don’t Want to Talk About It by Jeanie Franz Ransom

Target Audience: 3-7

Family Issue: Parents getting a Divorce

This children’s story illustrates the emotions a child might feel when hearing about his or her parent’s divorcing.  It uses animals to describe how a child might want to run away like a wild horse, roar like an angry lion, crash like an elephant, and gobble up the angry news like a crocodile.  The use of animals would help explain emotions in an age appropriate way and perhaps help a child to identify their emotions.  Excellent for preschoolers.