How do your kids deal with separation? Being apart is something that all families will have to deal with at some point. Some kids stay with a caretaker or daycare teacher while their parents are at work. Other kids may be home with a parent, but someday have to separate when they go off to school. Some children have parents who live in different homes, and have to split their time. All of these situations can be difficult for both the parents and kids to deal with. So I am happy to share some of the best children’s books about separation that have helped my daughter and I to cope when we have to be apart.

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In My Heart*

Written by Mackenzie Porter and illustrated by Jenny Lovlie

This sweet board book follows a mother and daughter as they go about their days at work and school. As they start the day together, the mother reminds herself that they are never apart, even if they are not together. The sweet rhyming text and heartwarming illustrations show how the mother thinks about her daughter throughout the day. At the end of the day, she reassures her daughter of the same message from earlier in the book: that they are always in each other’s heads and hearts, keeping them tied together.

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The Kissing Hand

Written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth Harper

In this sweet, sentimental story, a little raccoon named Chester is not ready to go to school. His mother tells him about a family secret called the Kissing Hand, which can help him to ease his fears. This simple action reassures him of her love, no matter where he is. And he offers the same reassurance back to her. The beautiful illustrations bring the heartwarming story to life, making this a classic for parents whose children are heading to school for the first time. My daughter and I frequently use our kissing hands when we have to be apart and it is truly helpful.

The Invisible String

Written by Patrice Karst and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

This book was recommended to me by a children’s therapist, and it has been really helpful. In this story, when two young children get scared during a rainstorm, they run to their mother in the living room. They tell her that they are scared and they want to be close to her. She reassures them that they are always connected, even when they are apart. She explains to them that we have invisible strings tying us to those that we love and keeping us connected, even while separated. This visual for remaining connected can not only help kids with being separated from parents during the day, but can also help them when a loved one passes away. This was extremely helpful to our family when my uncle passed away, who my daughter was very close to.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Grief

Love, Mama

Written by Jeanette Bradley

This sweet story follows a young penguin named Kipling as his mother heads out across the ocean. He knows that his mother will be back soon, but he can’t help how much he misses her. When he receives a special delivery from his mother, it includes a message reminding him that her love can reach him wherever she goes. When his mother finally comes home, he is happy to be in her arms again. The adorable illustrations feature cute penguin characters in a story that will be familiar to kids whose parents have to work away from home.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney

This addition to the popular Llama Llama series follows the popular little llama as he struggles with going to school for the first time. His teacher introduces him to all of the fun things that happen during the school day, and all the new friends he can make. But Llama misses his mama and can’t shake it. His new friends are able to show him all of the fun that he can have, and at the end of the day, his mother comes back! The rhyming text and colorful illustrations highlight the feelings that most kids feel when going to school for the first time, and reminds them their parents will be back at the end of the day.

What are your favorite kids books about separation? Share in the comments below so I can add to our collection!

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