Best Picture Books About Divorce (2026): 5 Picks Compared

The best picture books about divorce give a child words for a family change and reassurance that love stays put. This list compares them by listed reading age, grade level, page count and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Family Changes by Stephenson	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Two Homes by Herman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Why Families Change by Roberts	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Mom and Dad by Walsh	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Invisible String by Karst	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Family Changes by Stephenson

Catherine Stephenson·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a child aged 6 to 10 needing plain words about divorce.

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Pros

• Plain words about divorce for ages 6 to 10
• Calm-down tools and drawing activities
• Reassurance: loved, safe, not at fault

Cons

• Ages 6 to 10, narrower than listed 5 to 10
• No grade level is stated on the listing
• Companion journals are separate titles

2

Two Homes by Herman

Steve Herman·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a young reader in two homes needing reassurance.

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Pros

• A dragon story about living in two homes
• Reading age 4 to 10 years, a wide span
• A child is loved in one home or two

Cons

• Book 37 of 68, a very long series
• No grade level is stated on the listing
• At 44 pages, a fast finish

3

Why Families Change by Roberts

Dr. Jillian Roberts·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a young child asking why a family changes shape.

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Pros

• Designed by a child psychologist for hard conversations
• Reading age 4 to 8 years, from customers, plus grade level
• Part of a series on other hard topics

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• At 32 pages, a starter
• Series fans may want the other titles too

4

Mom and Dad by Walsh

Melanie Walsh·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For a very young child in two homes, with flaps to lift.

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Pros

• Lift-the-flap format for very young readers
• Same child in each home
• Illustrated Candlewick edition, June 12, 2012

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• The 2012 edition is the oldest pick
• Grade Preschool to 2 spans widely

5

The Invisible String by Karst

Patrice Karst·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A mother tells her two children that the people they love are connected by an invisible string; suits the youngest readers.

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Pros

• 40 pages, so it can be read in one sitting
• Illustrated, with a 2018 publication date
• Reading age of 3 to 7 years suits the youngest readers

Cons

• The description names separation anxiety, loss and grief, so a parent may want to read it first
• A short conversation built on a single idea, which older readers may find slight
• The listing states no series position, while the description names related titles

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More picks to compare

• Two Places to Call Home by EarleFor young readers living in two houses, with a story about embracing change.Check on Amazon
• Divorce Is the Worst by HigginbothamFor kids whose parents are going through a divorce, told with frank humor.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. Four picks list a reading age, and two list a grade level.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about divorce

Match the reading age to the child

Listings here run from 2 to 5 years up to 5 to 10 years, so start with the listed age and grade. For older readers, browse middle grade books.

Pick a story shape: a routine or a conversation

Some picks follow a daily routine between homes, while others answer questions directly, like why a family changes shape.

Check the edition and the series position

Two Homes Filled with Love is Book 37 of 68 in its series, so check the series number before buying, and Why Do Families Change? is part of a series on hard topics. For teen readers facing the same change, young adult books cover it at a higher level.

Before you buy

• Check the listed reading age against the child.
• For a series book, confirm which book of the series it is before buying.
• Check for a companion journal the child may want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages are the best picture books about divorce for?

Reading ages here run from 2 to 5 years up to 5 to 10 years.

Which book helps a child living in two homes?

Two Homes Filled with Love and Living with Mom and Living with Dad both follow a child in two homes.

Do any of these books belong to a series?

Two Homes Filled with Love is Book 37 of 68, and Why Do Families Change? is part of the Just Enough series.

Still deciding? Our top pickFamily Changes by Stephenson

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse picture books, middle grade books and young adult books.