NOTE: This resource list is from the Basic Parenting Plan Guide published by the Oregon Judicial Department. This is not a list of endorsed materials but merely suggestions for books, publications, web sites and organizations that may be helpful as resources. Various individuals contributed to the resource list. The specific content of the materials and web sites does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Oregon Judicial Department or of the State Family Law Advisory Committee.
Books for preschoolers
Bernard, by Bernard Waber. Bernard the dog runs away while his owners argue about who will keep him when they break up.
Dinosaur’s Divorce, by Lawrence Brown. Through a dinosaur family, the writer of the Arthur children’s books explains divorce in a simple and straightforward way.
My Family Is Changing: A First Look at Family Breakup, by Pat Thomas
Sometimes A Family Has To Split Up, by J. Watson
Tots Are Non-Divorceable: A Workbook for Divorced Parents and Their Children, Ages Birth to Five Years, by Sara Bonkowski
Books for elementary aged children
Break Up: Facing Up to Divorce, by Gianni Padoan
Divorce Happens To The Nicest Kids, by M.D. Prokop
Divorce Is A Grown Up Problem, by Janet Stinberg
Families are Forever! Kids Workbook for Sharing Feelings About Divorce, by Melissa Smith. An interactive workbook that encourages children to express their feelings (ages 4-8).
How Does It Feel When Your Parents Get Divorced, by Terry Berger
I Don’t Want to talk About It, by Jeanie Franz Ransom. When a child’s parents sit her down to tell her they are going to get divorced, she fantasizes about the different animals she will turn into to deal with it.
I Have Two Families, by D. Herering
It’s not Your Fault, Koko Bear, by Vicky Lansky. A “read-together book” for parent and child.
Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Any More, by K. Stinson
Mr. Rogers Talks With Families About Divorce, by Fred Rogers and Clair O’Brien
Why Don’t We Live Together Anymore?: Understanding Divorce, by Carol Ackelmire. From the “Comforting Little Hearts” Series. For ages 4-8
Books for preteens and adolescents
The Boys And Girls Book About Divorce, by R. Gardner. Normalizing information and advice from a child psychiatrist for children going through divorce.
Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary. A sixth grader deals with going to a new school, his parent’s divorce and his desire to be a writer.
Divorce Can Happen To The Nicest People, by Peter Mayle
The Divorce Express, by Paula Danziger. Phoebe’s life changes when her parents divorce and she spends time with her father far away from her home and boyfriend.
Don’t Fall Apart on Saturdays!: The children’s Divorce Survival Book, by Adolph Moser
Help! A Girl’s Guide to Divorce and Stepfamilies, by Nancy Holyoke
How Tia Lola Came to Stay, by Julia Alvaraz. Multicultural book that takes the reader along a boy’s new life after his parents’ divorce.
How To Get It Together When Your Parents Divorce, by Arlene Richards and Irene Willis
It’s Not The End Of The World, by Judy Blume. Karen plans to get her father and mother back together so they can realize that divorce was a mistake.
The Kid’s Guide To Divorce, by Brogan, Marden & Fawcett
My Parents Are Divorced, Too, by Bonnie Robson
My Parents Still Love Me Even Though They Are Getting Divorced, by Dr. Lois Nightingale
Pickles and Peanuts, by Martha Ivery. Peanuts turns to her new friend Pickles to deal her feelings of abandonment, loss and being different from everyone else.
When Divorce Hits Home, by Thea Joselow and Beth Joselow. Written by a daughter and mother about one teenager’s experience with divorce and how she dealt with it.
Books for adults – general
Between Love and Hate: A Guide to a Civilized Divorce, by Lois Gold. Offers guidance to those going through divorce on improving communication, effective negotiation, and conflict resolution. Covers legal, financial and emotional issues.
Caught in the Middle, by C. Garrity and M. Barris
Crazy Time, by Abigail Trafford. A personal and academic account of the emotional and practical struggles of men and women going through divorce.
The Divorce Advisor, by Marcia Kline Pruitt.
Divorce And New Beginnings, by G. Clapp
Getting Divorced Without Ruining Your Life, by S. Marguilies
Going It Alone, by Robert Weis
The Good Divorce, by Constance Ahrons. Shows couples how they can move beyond breakup and learn to deal with the transition from a nuclear family to a “binuclear” family.
How to Survive the Loss of a Love, by Melba Colgrove, Harold Bloomfield and Peter A. McWilliams.
Living Through Your Divorce, by Earl Grollman and Marjorie Sams
Untying The Knot, by Janine M. Bernard and Harold Hackney
Your Divorce Advisor: A Lawyer and a Psychologist Guide You Through the Legal and Emotional Landscape of Divorce, by Diana Mercer (Fireside 2001)
Books for adults – parenting plans and workbooks
But…What About Me! (How it Feels to be a Kid in Divorce), by Bonnie Doss
Child Custody: Building Parenting Agreements that Work (3rd Ed.), by Mimi E. Lyster [Nolo Press, Jan 2000].
The Children’s Book, by Marilyn S. McKnight Erickson and Stephen K. Erickson. A communication workbook for parents to use and pass back and forth as the children spend time in different homes. Includes places to record the schedule, activities, names, addresses and birthdays of friends and families, etc.
Creating a Successful Parenting Plan, by Dr. A. Jayne Major
Co-Parenting: Sharing Your Child Equally, by Miriam Galper
The Custody Revolution: The Father Factor and the Motherhood Mystique, by R. Warshak
Divorce Book For Parents, by Vicki Lansky
The Divorce Decisions Workbook, by Margorie Louise Engel and Diana Delhi Gould. A planning and action guide. Contains extensive forms for information-gathering and decisionmaking.
The Divorced Parent, by Stephanie Marston
Families Apart, by M. Blau
Growing Up Again: Parenting Ourselves, Parenting Our Children, by Jean Clark
Helping Children Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way, by Gary Newman
Helping Your Child Succeed After Divorce, by Florence Bienenfeld
How to Help Your Children Overcome Your Divorce, by E. Benedek and C. Brown
Impasses Of Divorce, by J. Johnson and L. Campbell
Joint Custody with a Jerk, by Julie A. Ross and Judy Corcoran. Excellent suggestions for examining each parent’s role in ongoing parental disputes. Communication skills for dealing with a difficult ex-spouse. “Not just for people who have joint custody and not just for jerks.”
Kids Are Worth It, by Barbara Coloroso
Mom’s House, Dad’s House: A Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced or Remarried, by Isolina Ricci. A practical guide to setting up two-home parenting arrangement. Useful for parents whether or not joint custody is chosen. Includes guiding principles for co-parenting and maps out emotional stages and milestones from the time of separation through remarriage.
Parenting Through Divorce, by Karen J. Todd, M.C. and Nancy Barros, M.A.
The Parent’s Book About Divorce, by Richard Gardner
The Parent’s Handbook: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), by Dinkmeyer and McKay; STEP for Parenting of Teens
Parent vs. Parent: How You and Your Child Can Survive the Custody Battle, by Stephen P. Herman
Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelson
Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World, by Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelson
Second Chances, by Judith S. Wallerstein and Sandra Blackslee
Sharing The Children: How To Resolve Custody Problems And Get On With Your Life, by Robert Adler
Shared Parenthood After Divorce, by Ciji Ware
Surviving the Break Up: How Children And Parents Cope With Divorce, by Judith S. Wallerstein and Joan B. Kelley
Touchpoints: Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development, by T. Berry Brazelton
Without Spanking or Spoiling, by Elizabeth Crary
Vicky Lansky’s Divorce Book for Parents, by V. Lansky
Your ___ Year Old (one book for each age), by Louise Bates Ames
Books for adults – noncustodial parents
A Divorced Dad’s Survival Book: How to Stay Connected to Your Kids, by David Knox
Every Other Weekend, by Kenneth F. Parker and Van Jones. Written by divorced fathers to help other divorced fathers confront pain and loss, understand their children’s feelings and accept their changed role in their children’s lives.
101 Ways to be a Long Distance Super-Dad…Or Mom, Too!, by George Newman. Simple and practical tips for keeping close with a child after divorce.
Long Distance Parenting: A Guide For Divorced Parents, by Miriam Galper Cohen
Books about mediation
Divorce Mediation, by Jay Folberg and Ann Milne, Editors
Divorce Mediation, How To Cut The Costs And Stress Of Divorce, by Diane Neumann
Getting Together, by Roger Fisher and Scott Brown
Getting To Yes, by Roger Fisher and William Ury. A general book about negotiation techniques, the introduction of the win-win solution concept.
A Guide To Divorce Mediation, by Gary J. Friedman, J.D.
Mediation, by Jay Folberg and Allison Taylor
Renegotiating Family Relationships, Divorce, Child Custody, And Mediation, by Robert E. Emery