Recommended books
The Guide for Separated Parents: Putting
Children First
Karen and Nick Woodall (Piatkus 2007)
This book (originally published as Putting Children First) helps parents to work through their own experiences of separation and the experiences of their children, and offers tools and strategies for managing post separation parenting arrangements.
A Mother Apart: how to let go of guilt and find happiness living apart from your child
Sarah Hart (Crown House Publishing 2008)
A book for mums who aren't providing the main day-to-day care for their children, those who spend time their children regularly, those who don't and those who have no contact with their children at all.
Gary Bailey's Divorce for Dads: making the right choices for your kids
Gary Bailey and Nick Woodall (Two Dogs 2010)
Specially written for dads who are going through separation to help them make the right choices for their children. From former Manchester United and England goalkeeper, Gary Bailey, and Nick Woodall from the Centre for Separated Families.
The Step-Parents' Parachute: The Four Cornerstones of Good Step-parenting
Flora McEvedy (Piatkus 2009)
A guide to step-parenting - how to overcome the problems and pitfalls and make the most of what can sometimes be a fraught relationship. With a foreword written by Dr Miriam Stoppard.
Two Homes
Claire Masurel and Kady MacDonald Denton (Walker Books Ltd 2002)
Alex has two homes - a home where Daddy lives and a home where Mummy lives. This portrayal of the life of a child whose parents are divorced is full of warmth, comfort and affection.
Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families
Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown (Little, Brown Books 1988)
The dinosaur characters introduce aspects of divorce such as its causes and effects, living with a single parent, spending holidays in two separate households, and adjusting to a stepparent.
It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: a read-together book for parents and young children during divorce
Vicki Lansky and Jane Prince (Book Peddlers 1998)
KoKo is a sad bear who learns the divorce is not a bear's fault, that those sad feelings will pass, that a child can love and be loved by both parents even when living in a family apart.
Families in a Step-Chain
Ann Bryant (Coach House Publications 2005)
All over the country, children go to stay with step-parents, stepbrothers and stepsisters at the weekends. It's just like an endless chain. A step-chain... A series of books for children from award winning author Ann Bryan who has even kindly agreed to sign copies of her book!
Buy direct from Ann (through her contact page)
Jack and the Black Cat
Helen Victoria Bishop (Atlantis Children's Books 2012)
Jack is really quite sad and alone is his bedroom considering the situation between his mummy and daddy. He like many children in a break up situation feels that it might be his fault. Jack speaks of his worries to his loyal friend, Black Cat who is able in his magical way to talk Jack through his concerns and worries and provide him with some practical advice on how to make life a little easier, all of which make Jack feel more confident and reassured. Jack is a sensitive book to inspire and support children through the difficulty of parent separation and divorce.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (Piccadilly Press 2001)
In this down-to-earth book, the authors use innovative ways to make relationships with children of all ages less stressful and more rewarding.