Books About Separation · 63 titles considered

The Best Separation Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about separation? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Separation

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2015

A Night Divided

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

A girl risks everything to escape East Berlin and reunite her divided family.

352 pages· 71,577 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 49,324 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a city split by the Berlin Wall, Gerta's family is torn apart. Trapped in East Berlin, she discovers a daring plan to tunnel to freedom. With soldiers watching and trust scarce, Gerta and her brother Fritz must decide if they can risk everything for a chance to reunite their family. Will they succeed, or will the wall claim another victim? This gripping tale of courage and hope unfolds in a world where every move could be their last.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2018

Amal Unbound

By Aisha Saeed · Book #1 in the Amal Unbound series

A young girl's dream is shattered by a powerful family's control. Can she reclaim her freedom?

240 pages· 39,370 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 19,059 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Amal, a twelve-year-old with dreams of teaching, finds her life upended after offending a powerful family in her Pakistani village. Forced into servitude, she must navigate a world of complex hierarchies and hidden dangers. As she uncovers the lengths the Khan family will go to maintain their grip on the village, Amal realizes that her freedom and her family's safety depend on her courage to challenge the status quo. Can she rally the other servants and defy the oppressive rule, or will fear keep them all in chains?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Pax

By Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen (Illustrator) · Pax series

A boy defies war and distance to reunite with his fox.

278 pages· 49,714 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 66,740 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Peter and his fox, Pax, are torn apart when Peter's father joins the military, forcing him to release Pax into the wild. Stranded at his grandfather's house, Peter embarks on a daring journey across three hundred miles, driven by love and loyalty, to find his beloved fox. Meanwhile, Pax navigates the wilderness, facing his own challenges and discoveries. Will their bond withstand the trials of separation and war? This poignant tale explores the depths of friendship and the courage to defy the odds for those we love.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1994

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon

By Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Amber Brown series

Best friends face separation and conflict. Can they mend their bond before it's too late?

80 pages· 7,973 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 5,755 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are inseparable best friends until Justin's sudden move threatens their bond. As they grapple with distance and misunderstandings, their friendship is put to the ultimate test. Can Amber and Justin find a way to bridge the gap, or will their connection be lost forever? Amidst the chaos of shared custody and growing up, Amber's journey is filled with humor, heart, and the challenge of holding onto what matters most. Discover if friendship can truly withstand the trials of time and distance in this heartfelt tale.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 3–8 · 1993

The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn, Ruth Harper (Illustrator) · The Kissing Hand series

A young raccoon learns to cope with going to school for the first time.

30 pages· 457 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 73,860 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Chester Raccoon dreads his first day of school, but his mother has a special secret to share. With the Kissing Hand, Chester can carry her love wherever he goes. Will this magical gesture ease his fears and help him face the unknown? Discover how a simple touch can transform a daunting journey into a heartwarming adventure.

Sale price

$1615

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2015

Mama Seeton's Whistle

By Jerry Spinelli

Can a mother's whistle bring her children back from afar?

40 pages· 947 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 399 ratings

$17.00Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Mama Seeton's simple two-note whistle calls her children home for cake and love. As they venture further into the world, the distance grows. Can her whistle reach them across the globe and reunite the family once more? This heartwarming tale explores the enduring bond between a mother and her children, capturing the essence of love that transcends distance. Will the familiar sound of home be enough to bring them back?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2015

Maple & Willow Apart

By Lori Nichols · Maple & Willow series

Sisters find a creative way to stay connected despite being apart.

32 pages· 501 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 611 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Maple and Willow, inseparable sisters, face a new challenge when Maple starts school, leaving Willow behind. As they embark on separate adventures, they discover the ache of missing each other. Can they find a way to bridge the distance and keep their bond strong? Join them on a heartwarming journey of creativity and connection, where the power of sibling love shines through even the toughest changes.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

The Elephant in the Room

By Holly Goldberg Sloan

A girl, a lottery winner, and a circus elephant find hope in unexpected friendships.

256 pages· 46,245 words· Est. 5 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,665 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Sila's world is turned upside down when her mother leaves for Turkey, leaving her longing for reunion. In Oregon, a chance encounter with a lottery-winning grandfather and a circus elephant named Veda sparks an unexpected journey. As Sila befriends the quirky Mateo, they embark on a mission that intertwines their fates, revealing that hope and comfort can emerge from the most unlikely places. Will these newfound connections help Sila navigate her challenges and bring her family back together? Discover a tale of resilience, friendship, and the extraordinary bonds between humans and animals.

Sale price

$1498

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2017

Daddy Long Legs

By Nadine Brun-Cosme, Aurélie Guillerey (Illustrator)

What if Daddy can't pick Matthew up? Imaginative solutions abound.

26 pages

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 319 ratings

$15.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Matthew worries his dad's old car won't start after kindergarten. Each 'what if' leads to wild ideas: a tractor, a teddy bear, even a dragon. Can Daddy's promise to walk reassure Matthew? This whimsical tale explores a father's unwavering commitment, easing separation fears with humor and love.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Hello Goodbye Dog

By Maria Gianferrari, Patrice Barton (Illustrator)

A determined dog escapes to reunite with her girl at school.

40 pages· 518 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,017 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Moose, the devoted dog, can't bear to be apart from Zara when she goes to school. Despite the rules, Moose's love drives her to escape repeatedly, seeking Zara's side. As Moose's antics escalate, the challenge becomes finding a way for them to stay together. With a clever plan and some training, can Zara and Moose finally share their days without breaking the rules? Discover how this inseparable duo overcomes obstacles to be together.

The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club

Browse by age

Separation Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about separation for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1799

Red & Lulu

Ages 3–7 · 2017

A cardinal's journey to reunite with his love amidst Christmas magic.

Sale price

$695

I Promise I'll Find You

Ages 4–7 · 2005

A child lost, a promise to find them, a journey across worlds.

Sale price

$995

Night Catch

Ages 4–8 · 2005

A soldier and his son play catch across the world using the North Star.

Sale price

$1899

Papa Brings Me the World

Ages 3–6 · 2020

A father travels the world, bringing home stories and treasures to his child.

#11 in Series

Sale price

$1099

I Am Going!

Ages 4–8 · 2010

Piggie's departure threatens Gerald's perfect day. Can their friendship endure the change?

Sale price

$1899

Knock Knock

Ages 5–6 · 2013

A child's morning game with his father changes when the knock never comes.

Sale price

$1699

Mango Moon

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A family grapples with life after a father's deportation.

Sale price

$1899

Gittel's Journey

Ages 5–8 · 2019

A young girl faces a daunting journey alone when her mother's stopped at Ellis Island. Can she find her family with a blurred address?

Sale price

$1799

Mama's Nightingale

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A child bridges separation with stories, hoping to reunite her family torn by immigration detention.

Sale price

$1799

Coming on Home Soon

Ages 5–8 · 2004

A girl and her grandma await a letter during wartime, hoping for Mama's return.

Series

Sale price

$999

When I Miss You

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A young guinea pig learns to cope with missing her parents.

Series

Sale price

$1899

Dinosaurs Divorce

Ages 4–7 · 1986

Navigate the challenges of divorce with understanding and resilience.

View all separation picture books

Browse by age

Separation Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about separation for developing and independent readers.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1299

Parachute Kids

Ages 9–12 · 2023

A young Taiwanese girl navigates her new life in America, dealing with challenges in school, cultural differences, and her complicated relationship with her family