We are pleased to provide an extensive range of books for both older and younger children, and adults, which we hope you will find helpful. 

Please also see our list of online resources, linking you to a wide variety of organisations which provide support to families and children going through relationship breakdown. 

Reading Lists

We have put together a list of books which we hope you will find helpful – for adults going through divorce or separation, and for younger and older children.

The older children's books are recommended by a children’s librarian. Although they should be appropriate for children aged 10 plus, it’s always worth checking out the books yourself first to see if they are likely to be suitable for your child.

Copies of the books listed can be found at booksellers such as Waterstones, or online via The Book People or Amazon.

Mom’s House, Dad’s House

Mom’s House, Dad’s House

Isolina Ricci, PhD

An updated edition of a ‘standard classic’ for two generations of divorcing parents by internationally renowned therapist, family expert and mediator Isolina Ricci PhD, this is a guide to divorce and making shared custody work for parents and children and features self tests, tools, checklists and guidelines for separated parents.

How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk

How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk

Elaine Mazlish and Adele Faber

A revised and updated edition of a practical, innovative guide to solving widespread problems and building foundations for lasting relationships

The Relate Guide to Starting again

The Relate Guide to Starting again

Sarah Litvinoff

A careful assessment of the lessons to can be learned from initial failure, this guide reveals how to change the patterns of the past

Rebuilding: When your Relationship ends

Rebuilding: When your Relationship ends

Dr Bruce Fisher and Dr Robert Alberti

A full revised, updated and expanded edition of the best-selling guide to putting your life back together after a divorce

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce

Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson

A step-by-step explanation of the collaborative divorce method with a view to ‘revolutionizing’ how couples end their marriages

The Guide for Separated Parents: Putting Children First

The Guide for Separated Parents: Putting Children First

Nick and Karen Woodall

A guide aimed at helping parents unlock and resolve the conflict around contact with children that can arise during and after separation

Helping children cope with divorce

Helping children cope with divorce

Rosemary Wells

This offers advice about practical and emotional problems as well as information on mediation and the Family Law Act

Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids

Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids

Christina McGhee

A guide containing practical, effective ways to minimize the effects of divorce on children, this offers solutions to critical parenting problems engendered by divorce

Living with mum and living with dad

Living with mum and living with dad

Melanie Walsh

Illustrated with simple colourful pictures and oversized flaps, this picture book for very young children is woven with the message that there is love in both homes

My Family’s changing

My Family’s changing

Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker

This picture book for younger children explores the ‘fears, worries and questions’ boys and girls face when their family goes through the breaking up

Two of Everything

Two of Everything

Babette Cole

A funny look by a well-known children’s author and illustrator about two perfect children with problem parents who can’t agree on anything.

Two Homes

Two Homes

Claire Masurel

A matter-of-fact, simple and child-focused book about positively embracing change

Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families

Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families

Laurene Krasny Brown

Over half a million copies have been sold of this guide for helping changing families talk to each other about divorce and the changes children will encounter

We come apart

We come apart

Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan

A story about friendship, love and overcoming unbeatable odds, this profound book for young adults tackles domestic violence, among other subjects, and is told from the points of view of two troubled teens

Rebound, The Crossover and Booked

Rebound, The Crossover and Booked

Kwame Alexander

Festooned with awards, this coming-of-age trilogy in verse is by a bestselling American author and is about basketball, family and staying true to yourself

Buddy

Buddy

Nigel Hinton

A Penguin ‘Original’, this moving young adult book about a boy’s relationship with his father, set in the 1980s

Passion flower

Passion flower

Jean Ure

Acclaimed novelist Jean Ure writes about two sisters aged 10 and 14 who are caught in the  middle of their parents’ problems

Rescuing Dad

Rescuing Dad

Pete Johnson

A funny yet realistic story for children aged 10 plus, about how Joe and Claire try to transform Dad, so that Mum will change her mind about ‘chucking him out’

Goggle-eyes

Goggle-eyes

Anne Fine

Targeting children aged 9 and up, the author of ‘Madame Doubtfire’ looks at how children come to terms with their parents' divorce and remarriage with humour and insight

Jake's tower

Jake's tower

Elizabeth Laird

A novel for young adults that tackles the fear of adult violence through the story of Jake, who creates an imaginary tower where he can dream up his own father

Oven chips for tea

Oven chips for tea

Alex Gutteridge

In this funny, upbeat novel, Katrina’s world turns upside when her much-loved grandparents decide to divorce

Dear Mr Henshaw

Dear Mr Henshaw

Beverley Cleary

A Newbery Medal-winning book, which looks at divorce, insecurity and bullying through the eyes of a 11-year-old boy whose parents have separated

The reluctant journal of Henry K Larsen

The reluctant journal of Henry K Larsen

Susan Nielsen

Thirteen-year-old Henry has moved with his father to a new home, where nobody know his name, and is encouraged to write a journal

Far from the tree

Far from the tree

Robin Benway

‘A contemporary novel about three adopted siblings who find each other at just the right moment’ by a New York Times bestselling author

Hatchett

Hatchett

Gary Paulsen

A young adult’s story of survival and transformation, where adversity is turned to advantage

It’s not the end of the world

It’s not the end of the world

Judy Blume

A novel for young adults which tackles how it feels to be an adolescent when your parents are splitting up

Dustbin Baby, Candyfloss, Clean Break and The Suitcase Kid

Dustbin Baby, Candyfloss, Clean Break and The Suitcase Kid

Jacqueline Wilson

Dame Jacqueline Wilson has sold over 40 million children’s books in the UK and was the Children’s Laureate from 2005-7. These books cover what happens when parents split (Candyfloss), how it feels to be abandoned (Dustbin Baby), the consequences of a father abandoning his family (Clean Break) and how it feels to be caught between warring parents (The Suitcase Kid)

Online Resources

We have listed below a number of organisations that support families or children going through relationship breakdown. Please click on the organisation for further information about what it provides.

The BACP is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. It helps people make informed choices about the provision of counselling and continues to raise the ethical and professional standards of the profession. Its resources include database of counsellors and psychotherapists across the UK.

CPAG works on behalf of children growing up in poverty in the UK. It provides information, training and advice for professionals working with people working with hard-up families, promotes solutions to help lift families out of poverty and works with people in need at some foodbanks.

Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children can be themselves whatever their worries, whenever they need help, however they want to get in touch. It is run 24:7 online and on the phone.

Part of the Coram group of charities, the Children’s Legal Centre promotes and protects the rights of children in the UK and worldwide in line with the UN Convention on the Child. It provides free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals, as well as international consultancy on child law and children’s rights.

Citizens Advice is a network of 316 independent charities throughout the United Kingdom that give free, confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems. The twin aims of the service are to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and to improve the policies and principles that affect people's lives.

CLS Direct offers free, impartial, legal information for for residents of England and Wales, including on family issues.

Texas-based ‘divorce coach’ Christina McGhee offers advice on ‘helping separated and divorced parents raise happy and secure kids’.

The FMC is made up of national family mediation organisations in England and Wales and is dedicated to promoting best practice in family mediation. Its central aim is to ensure the public can confidently access family mediation services that offer high quality mediation provided by mediators who meet its standards. The website features a database of local mediators.

Gingerbread is a prominent UK charity for single parent families. It offers support, advice and practical help for via a national network of local self-help groups. Its website includes a library of online information, stories and news and parents can also use its advice line.

Grandparents Plus is the only national charity (England and Wales) dedicated to grandparents and their role in the care and development of their grandchildren. It provides an advice service and support network and runs support programmes and independent guidance schemes.

Home-Start is one of the leading family support charities in the UK.

Its volunteers help families with young children deal with the challenges they face. It offers friendship, support and practical help in the home to families with at least one child under five years old, as well as information and training for volunteers.

The IFT works to prevent family breakdown and enhance family strengths. The largest family therapy organisation in the UK, it provides training and clinical work in the field of systemic psychotherapy with families, couples and individuals.

The NACCC helps children keep in touch with parents following separation. It is the only charity in the UK to provide safe spaces where children can meet the parents they don't live with. Its approximately 400 contact centres across the UK are run by a network of nearly 4,000 volunteers.

The NYAS is a rights-based charity which operates across England and Wales. It provides specialist help for children, young people and adults, including a national advocacy helpline.

The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover. The NSPCC helpline offers the support of professional counsellors 24/7 to adults who are worried about a child

OnePlusOne specialises in relationship science and offers research and innovation, digital services and training to help people to build stronger relationships. It aims to equip couples, parents and children with the skills and knowledge they need to be happier, healthier and more successful. 

Refuge is ‘for women and children’ and ‘against domestic violence’. Its ethos is that no-one should have to live in fear of violence and abuse. On any given day Refuge supports more than 6,000 clients, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse; for example, domestic violence, sexual violence, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, human trafficking and modern slavery, and female genital mutilation.

The UK's largest provider of relationship support, every year Relate helps over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships. Its services include relationship counselling for individuals and couples, family counselling, mediationchildren and young people's counselling and sex therapy. It also provides workshops for people at important stages in their relationships.

Resolution’s 6,500 members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. They follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems. Its members encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family - and in particular the best interests of children. The website features a nationwide database of Resolution family lawyers, information on family law and getting a divorce and information on current campaigns.

The Samaritans helps people in distress who feel they have no one to turn to. It operates 201 branches across the UK and the Republic of Ireland and currently is contacted every six seconds by someone who is looking for support. 

CAFCASS represents young people in family court cases in England. Its website includes information for young people, parents, carers and professionals, including advice, fact sheets, leaflets, contacts and a newsletter.

The charity works to support vulnerable children in England and Wales. It fights poverty and neglect and aims to help all children have a better chance in life. Its website features detailed resources for ‘churches and schools to listen to and work with children and young people’.

The UKCP is the leading organisation for the education, training, accreditation and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors in the UK. Among other elements, its website features a database of psychotherapists and information about what psychotherapy does.

This national charity is committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. It works to prevent mental illness from developing as well as to improve early intervention and care for those living with a mental health problem.

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