It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce (Lansky, Vicki) Paperback – Picture Book, December 15, 1997

Our therapist recommended this book for my young children (5 and 7). They each responded differently, but for both it was a great way to engage them in conversation in an empathetic, understanding, and open way. They so related with Koko Bear and his feelings in the book and were able to identify some of their own feelings through reading it. My 5 year old has asked to read this many times while my 7 prefers not to...not because she doesn't like the book but because it does bring up feelings that are difficult for anyone--especially a youngster--to process. If you know children affected by divorce, this book is definitely worth reading with them.There are also helpful tips on each page for parents. Ideas to help children process, ways to talk about the new realities we all experience through divorce, and conversation starters to talk to kids in a non-threatening, nonjudgmental, emotionally safe manner.

This is a must read with kids.

This is, hands down, the best resource I've purchased to help my daughter handle the divorce we're going through. Her dad left our home a few months ago and I had no idea of how to begin handling the aftermath. Luckily a friend passed along information about a great co-parenting class, and the facilitator took time to highlight this book on the resource list for participants. It really does help, and with all of my own emotional upheaval and the new responsibilities that come with spousal abandonment and divorce, I need all the help I can get! I'm amazed and thrilled to see my 5-yr old daughter's strength flow back a little more each time we read it. The message and approach are right on target for her emotional needs. Sometimes I think the doll is somewhat unnecessary, but the book itself has been a lifesaver.

My son is 4&1/2, and although the whole idea of divorce is over his head, the concepts of being “a family apart”, not all family lives with you—like aunts & uncles reside in separate houses from you—but you are all still a family, and even though mom and dad are getting a divorce, no one is divorcing you, really resonated with him. The book broke down core concepts in a way he could understand what changes would occur. He asks to read it all the time. It has opened a dialogue about divorce, and has let my son know that he can ask me anything at any time as we work through the divorce.

During my divorce, my kids seemed to be adjusting well, at least in the beginning. As time went on however, they struggled with the idea of divorce so I picked up this book and a few others. This is a great book for the younger ones (mine were 4 and 6 at the time). It really speaks to their guilt over things they think they could have done to stop it, and gives you as the parent a great way to start the conversations that are so important, yet so hard to have. Their Dad and I shared this book from house to house, and in time, the girls didn't need it anymore. I have since given it to a friend to help her situation.

This book was great! When we spoke to our son about the upcoming Divorce, he got upset this was one of the books we used to help him understand. WE read this book and he asked questions, told us how he felt, and then took it to school to help tell his friends. He also asked if he was allowed to let a friend borrow it, " Cause he is hurting and needs to know it is not his fault too". My whole family loves this book, It helped our son identify his feeling and know that they were Ok, that he was "allowed" to be upset, and that the divorce would become "normal" to him in the months to come.

A great book for younger children to try and understand an adult concept.This was a bit to wordy for the child involved but still valuable.Also good for the other children within the group.

This book is a sensitive way to broach the subject of divorce or separation with young children. I bought it for my daughter and son-in-law to use when telling my 4 year old granddaughter about their divorce. No doubt it was the hardest day of their lives to tell her, but the story is understandable for a young child. She still broke down and cried, she still begged that they not get divorced, but my daughter keeps reminding her of the "puzzle pieces" from the story which don't fit together no matter how hard you try.