Books for Tough Times: Divorce

Henry Cooper and his dog Pomegranate have two houses. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other weekend, they live with Mama in her new apartment, but on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other weekend, they live with Papa in his new house. Henry and Pomegranate are happy as they dance with Mama and sing with Papa, but Henry knows that sometimes Pomegranate gets confused and just wants to go . . . home. This gentle and accessible story about dealing with the many changes that come with divorce is beautifully brought to life by author Karen Stanton's vivid and memorable illustrations.

One day, Mrs. Stork tells Stanley that Dad is going to fly off and build his own nest. At school, Stanley worries about Dad missing Fathers' Flyday Friday. But his friend Stella tells him, "Two nests are better than one."

Fred Stays with Me follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent's house to the other's, giving her a sense of continuity and stability.

A boy's parents help him adjust to his new stepfamily when his mother remarries after a divorce. Includes note to parents.

Addison is a regular kid whose parents are going through a divorce, but he knows that no matter what happens, his parents will always love him. The text in this beautifully illustrated picture book is inspiring, gentle, and uplifting, and teaches kids that having two homes to live in can be just as great as having two strong feet to stand on.

One sad day, Mama and Daddy Bear say they are getting a divorce. Daddy won't live at home anymore. Dinah is scared and sad. She wonders if she'll ever see Daddy again.

Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever.

The changes that come with divorce can be difficult for a girl. In this book, American Girl answers girls' letters about every aspect of divorce, from the initial split-up to a parent's remarriage. The book includes quizzes and tips, plus advice from girls who've been there and have wisdom to share.

Current statistics indicate that nearly one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. As a result, many young people find themselves dealing with issues surrounding divorce, remarriage, and blended families. This candid and informative book addresses the myriad of emotions young people may experience during a divorce and the unique challenges blended families face.

It's in the news every day: divorce is tough on kids. MacGregor knows how tough, and she has prepared a down-to-earth guide that genuinely helps. Included are discussions of many topics troubling kids when their parents divorce: reasons parents get divorced; ways the divorce will change kids' lives; kids' feelings about divorce; things kids can do to help them feel better; who to talk to; what's likely to happen next. This is not just a book for kids about divorce, though.

Although parents feel shattered or liberated by the divorce, their children probably feel terrified by the prospect of a change in their stability and happiness. This resource provides guidance in sorting out young people's feelings, understanding the divorce process, and finding people who can offer help. Teens find out how to avoid being caught in the middle of divided loyalties. They learn about conflict resolution and how to communicate with others honestly while dealing with life changes and emotional challenges.

Explores what happens when parents divorce and provides strategies for coping with a changing family.

Upsetting changes can happen in a family when there's a divorce. Thefeelings of the children may be confusing and complex. They may feel that the divorce istheir fault or that they can somehow make their parents get back together. In his gentle, reassuring tone, Fred Rogers explains that the most important thing isfor children to know that all of their feelings are real and acceptable, whatever they mightbe. Talking about them and recognizing them can help children feel more stable during atime filled with change. No book can, or should, take away the pain of divorce, but Fred Rogers encouragesus to remind children that although some things will change with the divorce, some thingswill stay the same. Children still have a family that loves them...a family that needs theirlove. And knowing that can give them a very good feeling.

What if your favorite characters came to life? Billy's spending the summer in a lakeside cabin that belongs to the mysterious Dr. Libris. But something strange is going on. Besides the security cameras everywhere, there's Dr. Libris's private bookcase. Whenever Billy opens the books inside, he can hear sounds coming from the island in the middle of the lake. The clash of swords. The twang of arrows. Sometimes he can even feel the ground shaking. It's almost as if the stories he's reading are coming to life! But that's impossible . . . isn't it?

Sylvan has been angry ever since his parents split up. And now that an embarrassing photo has appeared in the paper, he's stuck with a lame nickname too. Charity is back in the United States after several years in Africa. And she's learning that home can be a strange place when you've been away for a while. Neither of them knows what's up with Brian. He spends whole afternoons alone on his trampoline. From the first day of school, Sylvan knows he doesn't want to hang out with weirdoes like Charity or Brian. He'd rather just be a normal kid. But when the principal gets ready to fire their favorite teacher, Sylvan, Charity, and Brian have to find a way to work together.

Danny is a skilled baseball catcher, but suddenly, he can no longer make easy throws. He has a case of the yips. Could his parents divorce be behind his problems on the field?

The year is 1954, the place is Missouri, and twelve-year-old Rosemary Patterson is about to make history. She is one of the first African American students to enter the white school in her town. Headstrong, smart Rosemary welcomes the challenge, but starting this new school gets more daunting when her best friend is hospitalized for polio. Suddenly, Rosemary must face all the stares and whispers alone. But when the girl who has shown her the most cruelty becomes an unlikely confidante, Rosemary learns important truths about the power of friendship to overcome prejudice.

Max and his dad love their weekends together. Weekends mean pancakes, pizza, spy games, dog-walking, school projects, and surprising neighbors! Every weekend presents a small adventure as Max gets to know his dad's new neighborhood--and learns some new ways of thinking about home.

Kids are told, "it's for the best"--and one day, it may be. But right now, divorce is the worst. With honesty and humor, Anastasia Higginbotham beautifully conveys the challenge of staying whole when your entire world, and the people in it, split apart. Exceptional in its child-centered portrayal,Divorce Is the Worst is an invaluable tool for families, therapeutic professionals, and divorce mediators struggling to address this common and complex experience. TheOrdinary Terrible Things Series shows children who navigate trouble with their senses on alert and their souls intact. In these stories of common childhood crises, help may come from family, counselors, teachers, or dreams--but crucially, it's the children themselves who find their way to cope and grow.

This sensitive book explains what happens when divorce papers are signed, explores the reasons why parents may decide to separate, and provides reassurance to any reader whose parents are splitting up.

Divorce is painful and confusing. Perhaps now more than ever, you want to give your child all the love, support, and guidance he or she needs, but everything seems harder and more complicated. Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way can help.

An internationally renowned authority on children and divorce reveals the latest research-based strategies for helping children survive and thrive before, during, and long after their parents divorce. The breakup of a family can have an enduring impact on children. But as Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll explains with clarity and compassion in this powerful book, parents can positively alter the immediate and long-term effects of divorce on their children. The key is proven, emotionally intelligent parenting strategies that promote children's emotional health, resilience, and ability to lead satisfying lives. Over the past three decades, Pedro-Carroll has worked with families in transition, conducted research, and developed and directed award- winning, court-endorsed programs that have helped thousands of families navigate divorce and its aftermath. Now she shares practical, research- based advice that helps parents: ?gain a deeper understanding of what their children are experiencing ?develop emotionally intelligent parenting strategies with the critical combination of boundless love and appropriate limits on behavior ?reduce conflict with a former spouse and protect children from conflict's damaging effects ?learn what recent brain research reveals about stress and children's developing capabilities Filled with the voices and drawings of children and the stories of families, Putting Children First delivers a positive vision for a future of hope and healing.

Knowing what to say to your child when you decide to divorce is never easy. However, so often when adults think they are protecting children, or that they are too young to understand they are in fact leaving the children to imagine situations which are often worse than the reality. Rosemary Wells helps you to see the situation from the child's point of view. She gives advice on letting children be involved in decisions that affect them, as well as on the practical and legal issues that are involved