These two major changes can greatly effect our children without our even realizing it. As with anything, I believe that reading these books helps us to better communicate with our children. It helps to spur a dialogue and I often find myself learning new ideas and strategies in how to work with my kids.
MOVING
We made a big move ourselves three years ago. At the time, we only had one nearly two year old. Some of these books helped us to explain the move to Greysen. His favorite part of the move was his new room. It was the first thing that I painted and then I stenciled the alphabet and numbers around the tops of the walls. He was so proud, I don't think he missed his old home for long!
by Melanie Watt
I love this book! Gorgeous illustrations, fantastic story. Augustine deals with the changes in her life through drawing. Her illustrations allude to many famous artists such as Van Gogh, Warhol, Magritte, even the title name comes from Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The story about the move is great, but the illustrations alone are worth checking this book out.
A move told through the perspective of the family pet:
Lily
by Abigail Thomas, illustrated by William Low
Big Ernie's New Home: A Story for Children Who Are Moving
by Teresa Martin and Whitney Martin
A New Room for William by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Carol Thompson
A great example of how to make the new home a "home" for kids. That makes all the difference to William as he begins to accept his new home.
Goodbye House
by Frank Asch
A sweet and simple book.
DIVORCE
This topic we do not have immediate experience with, but some children that are close to mine are going through this now. Reading these books helps my kids to understand what is happening to their friends. On sensitive subjects, we as parents should always read the literature first before sharing it with our children.
Let's Talk About It: Divorce
by Fred Rogers
Mr. Rogers has a wonderful way of explaining difficult situations to children. That has been extended in the new PBS show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, which we love at our house. This book is great for most children, although visually may seem a bit out of date.
Was It the Chocolate Pudding?: A Story for Little Kids about Divorce
by Sandra Levins, illustrated by Bryan Lando
Great book for kids and showing them that this is a grown-up issue and not about something the kids did. Cute illustrations, very engaging.
It's Not Your Fault Koko Bear:
A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce
by Vicki Lansky
Similar to Chocolate Pudding, this book helps to show that the kids are not at fault. This book also shows a very amicable family, which is not always the case in these books.
Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce
by Cornelia Maude Spelman
A wonderful book that talks about how things may be changing and that some things can still stay the same.
by Michele Shen
A simple book for even the smallest children. The spider and the bee are married and find that they can no longer live together.
And I happened upon this extra book for parents in my research and thought it might be really helpful to some:
Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way
by M. Gary Neuman, illustrated by Patricia Romanowski Bashe
I'm sure that this short list doesn't even come close to scratching the surface on these topics - if you love any literature on this topic that didn't make my list, please do share!
Found another great book - I Have Two Homes by Marian De Smet, illustrated by Nynke Talsma. Gives great perspective to parents and children that they are not the only people who feel this way.
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