Best children's books to help talk about divorce and separation

With rhyming text and appealing, fun illustrations, My Daddy’s Going Away cleverly and subtly helps children to understand and find ways to cope with separation.

A little girl imagines her busy Daddy as all sorts of animals during their packed day in a playful, warm story about a single father and his daughter.

A positive and encouraging story about a young girl coping with the separation of her parents. Families come in all shapes and sizes and this cheerful picture book celebrates that wonderfully.

Tia’s parents are separating, and she doesn’t know how to feel about it. A sensitively told book, with lovely illustrations, that could be a useful way of discussing different family situations with young children. 

Florrie has a home with her mum and a home with her dad – and she loves them both! An uplifting picture book to soothe worries about separation or divorce.

A little girl goes to the park with her dad and has a fantastic time. The book has fewer than 60 words yet positively depicts what appears to be a separated or divorced dad visiting his daughter for a play date as a part of everyday life.

Mia is transported into the Reindeer Express, a magical sorting office, as she tries to get her Christmas card to Daddy in time. A sweet and heartfelt story about Christmas for a child whose parents are separated.

The issue of divorce is presented here in a simple and straightforward way, supported by colourful illustrations.

A sensitive and compassionately written picture book addressing the difficult emotions children can feel when parents split up.

A funny story about an endearing heroine whose misguided intentions result in numerous entertaining escapades.

Cosmo is a dog with a passion for dance. When his family no longer have enough love to stay together, can he save them? This charming story brings together the fun of canine freestyle dance and the heartbreak of divorce into a single, moving story about families.

Distraught at her parents’ divorce, Andy cannot decide who she wants to live with. She spends one week at Mum’s house, the next at Dad’s, but never really feels that she belongs anywhere.

Told entirely in emails and letters, this sensitive, often funny book examines what it means to be a family, and what happens when families change. Strong and vivid characterisation makes us feel we really know the characters. 

At odds with her strict new teacher, and concerned that her unmarried mother is falling for the divorced father of the little boy she childminds, Charlie’s life becomes increasingly stressful.

Fast-paced and funny, this otherworldly adventure is a heartwarming tale of friendship and loyalty. With entertaining characters and a clever plot, it explores big issues with humour, sensitivity and a touch of magic.

When Juan goes to spend the summer with his strange uncle Tito, the last thing he expects is to be sent on a quest in his labyrinthine library. This quirky, magical adventure is a must for book-lovers everywhere.

Anne Fine does not shy away from the fact that separation and divorce are painful, but she does have an uplifting message about the power of honesty and compromise.

High-functioning Stewart is happy at Genius Academy but his life is shattered when his Mum dies from cancer. Ashley is obsessed with her social standing at her own school, devastated by her dad moving out because he’s gay. They become unwilling siblings when their parents start a relationship.

From fast-paced football matches to school and family drama, this novel written in verse has something for everyone and will grip reluctant readers from page one.