Single Parent Children’s Books

I’m regularly asked about children’s books which feature single parents so I’ve pulled together a few of the best based on my own, and others, recommendations. These books are not directly about single parenting, rather they are ‘single parent friendly’. That is, stories which feature single parents and celebrate the diversity of families around us.  These books aren’t just for children of single parents. The more all children are aware of the wonderful diversity of families out there, the better. Books starring single parents are for EVERYONE! 

Books for 0-7 years/ picture books

No matter what by Debi Gliori – beautiful imagery with a lovely heart warming message about the love of a single mum.

Yum, yum, yummy by Martin Waddell – three little bears, a grizzly bear and a mummy who rescues them all.

Wish by Emma Dodd – a rhyming story about a pup and their parent. 

Our story by the Donor Conception Network – a great way to introduce the idea of donor conception to little ones, recently updated to add a more positive spin on the decision to parent solo. 

What makes a baby by Cory Silverberg – another one that’s great for introducing the idea of solo motherhood, donor conception and the wider concept of family. 

Pearl Power by Mel Elliott – a beautiful rhyming story about a girl who fights for gender equality – and her mum. 

My mum and me by Penny Johnson and Kirsten Irving – a lovely story about how much mums will do for their little ones. 

Hug by Jez Alborough – a solely illustrated book apart from the two most important words “mum” and “Bo” (the name of mum’s baby monkey).  

Peck, peck, peck by Lucy Cousins – all about a woodpecker and his father – perfect for celebrating single dad relationships. 

Do I have a daddy by Jeanne Warren Lindsay – one of the few books to tackle absent/ unknown fathers, showing there isn’t one type of dad. 

The family book by Todd Parr – a celebration of all types of families. 

Dogs don’t do ballet by Anna Kemp – a great book for both the relationship between a son and his father (so, again, great for single dads) as well as encouraging children to see that being different can be positive. 

Raising you alone by Warren Hanson – gives an honest glimpse into what it’s like to raise a child as a single mum. 

Just the baby for me by Barbara Levin – a lovely introduction to solo parenting by choice with a woman who always knew she wanted to be a mum.

Families, families, families by Suzanne and Max Lang.  Families are all different, what binds them is love. 

My super single mum and My super single dad both by Bronny and Munsta – do what they say on the tin! 

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman – a determined girl, with a great imagination, living with her mother and nana.

Horton hatches an egg by Dr. Seuss – all about how family isn’t about biology but who loves you.

Nan’s donut dilemma by Mary Ryan – for the slightly older child, this book directly addresses the issue of kids being faced with difficult questions and class mates insisting every child has a dad.

Books for 8-11 years 

Tracey Beaker (a series) by Jacqueline Wilson – not about single parents per se, but based in a children’s home, this series helps children learn about diverse children’s lives and understand that many families have complicated lives and parents are not always present. 

Archie Nolan by Beverley Ward – tracing your family tree can be challenging when you’re donor conceived, but Archie and his friend tackle this in a humorous book which features various types of donor conception in solo mum families, same-sex couples and heterosexual families.

Appleblossom the possum by Holly Sloan – a chapter book about a possum out on a great adventure, featuring a single mum family with lots of siblings. 

Danny the champion of the world by Roald Dahl – this classic features one of the world’s more famous single dads.

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary – focusing on the relationships between the main protagonist and his favourite author, this book also spotlights single parenting and an absent father. 

The Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger – a delightful series about a characterful girl whose father happens to live in another country following her parents’ divorce. 

Just under the clouds by Melissa Sarno – deals with a number of challenging topics including the death of a father, single motherhood and homelessness in an uplifting way; homes come in many packages.

Books for 12+ years/ young adults 

A dog called homeless by Sarah Lean – featuring Cally, raised by her single dad, who keeps seeing her mother who has passed away.

Joe all alone by Joanna Nadin – about Joe’s adventures while his mum holidays in Spain and gives him a break from her latest boyfriend. Raising issues of neglect and child poverty in a life-affirming story.

Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence – an award winning book about a son living with his widowed mother. Marlon has to make a difficult choice, but is there really a choice? Lawrence also has the book, Indigo Donut, about a child living with her foster mum.

Being fishkill by Ruth Lehrer – explores what it means to be a family, featuring a lesbian single mum. 

Unbecomming by Jenny Downham – a family mystery with two generations of single mums.

The inexplicable logic of my life by Alire Saenz – having accepted his life with his adoptive gay single dad, Sal suddenly starts to question everything.

Witches of honor by Asare Adei – a story of coping against all odds. With a single mother to boot.

To all the boys I’ve loved before by Jenny Han (also a film!) – a girl, raised by her father, has her secret love letters sent to all her crushes without her knowledge.

The changeover by Margaret Mahy – a supernatural thriller and love story featuring single parents. What more could you want?

Lenny’s book of everything by Karen Foxlee – family drama, featuring a single mum with two kids. This book holds life lessons for all ages.

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta – a beautiful depiction of the bond between a strong-willed Italian-Australian girl and her single mum in 90s Sydney.

Piecing me together by Renee Watson – a thoughtful story exploring identity and issues facing young girls. With the main protagonist raised in a single mother household.

If you have more recommendations, or insight into any of the books mentioned here,  then please do share them in the comments below. 

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If you liked this you might also like my piece on support for single parents.