Suggested Reading List for Kids

These books are available on the internet, in major book stores or in local libraries.

Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families by Laurene Kransy Brown and Marc Brown, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1986.
This picture book helps young children and their families deal with the anxieties of divorce. It contains simple, direct text for children ages 3-7 with lively illustrations.

It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear by Vicky Lansky.
A read-together book for parents and young children (ages 3-7) during divorce. Children can share Koko's angry and sad feelings. Each page contains practical tips for parents.

Divorced But Still My Parents (A helping book about divorce for children and parents) by Shirley Thomas & Dorothy Rankin.
This is an interactive workbook for children (ages 6-12) that helps them learn more about divorce and themselves.

Divorce is Not the End of the World: Zoe's and Evan's Coping Guide for Kids by Zoe and Evan Stern.
Two young children offer an honest, positive, and practical guide that will help other kids (between ages 7-16) realize they are not alone and that their feelings are not unusual.

Why me? A Teen Guide to Divorce and Your Feelings by Rachel Aydt, Rosen Publishing Groups, 2000.

Counseling / Support

Some schools provide a support group and/or individual support for kids of divorce.

COPING KIDS was developed by the Clay County Family Court and provides support for groups or individuals grades K-12 experiencing divorce during the school years. If your child's school doesn't provide a group but is interested in providing one, have the school counselor contact Clay County Family Court at 816-792-7681 for a COPING KIDS curriculum.

Family Court Services offers two separate programs designed to help parents and teens develop the skills needed to address anger, conflict, and non-compliance with family rules. Contact Dr. Sue Southworth at 816-792-7681 for class times and fees.

1. Parenting With Love and Limits is designed to give parents the tools they need to help them deal with a difficult, angry, or oppositional teen more effectively. The program helps parents get back control when grounding and withholding privileges doesn't work. Parents and children attend this class together.
   Topics include: Truancy, cutting classes, refusing to do homework, and other school related problems; Dealing with the angry, oppositional teen, violence, not obeying family rules.
2. Anger Management for Teens helps adolescents develop more acceptable ways to cope with and express angry feelings. It also teaches effective problem solving and communication techniques they can use with parents, friends, and school personnel. This class is for teens only.
   Topics include: How to reduce anger, positive ways to express anger, problem solving and negotiation skills, and listening and communication skills.