Karen Brough’s New Picture Book About Divorce Tells Kids ‘This Isn’t Your Fault’

One Nest or Two follows five bird siblings through separation and two homes, helping children ages 4 to 8 with big feelings, without blaming either parent

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — When parents separate, a young child may quietly wonder whether it is their fault. One Nest or Two, a new children’s picture book about divorce and separation by Australian author Karen Brough, meets that fear through five bird siblings whose family moves from one nest to two. For children ages 4 to 8, it gives parents, caregivers, teachers and counselors a gentle way to talk about separation, two homes and big feelings.

With the holidays approaching, a season many children of separated parents spend moving between two homes, the book offers families a gentle way to talk about what has changed.

The book focuses on the child’s emotional security rather than the adults’ situation, and neither parent is blamed. Every conversation takes place between a young bird and Wise Old Bear, a trusted figure outside the change. Brough’s note for parents and caregivers says the book “does not intend to assess or judge anyone’s situation, but open up opportunities for organic conversation.”

Each bird reacts differently. Blue Bird cries and misses the old nest, Gray Bird is full of questions, Red Bird is angry, and Yellow Bird hides and worries. Green Bird stays quiet, then asks, “What if I’m the reason this happened?” Wise Old Bear answers, “This isn’t your fault, Green Bird. Not at all.”

The birds also model simple coping strategies children can try: talking about what confuses them, letting big feelings out, noticing what has stayed the same, practicing thankfulness, journaling, drawing, and replacing untrue thoughts with true ones. A rhyming refrain returns throughout: “A family is still a family whether one nest or two.” The hope is honest rather than tidy. Some mornings, Red Bird still wakes with ruffled feathers, but the birds know they are not alone and end the story knowing “they were loved, and that was enough for today.”

Brough said, “I always hoped to create a safe place inside the story, where children recognize a little of themselves, feel seen, heard, and not alone. I wanted it to be a gentle conversation starter for children and the parents, caregivers and professionals supporting them.”

NetGalley reviewer Kelsey B, a librarian, called the book “a phenomenal resource” that also fits “things like foster care or adoption,” adding, “I plan to buy this for my library but also for my own personal collection.” NetGalley reviewer Julianne H, who remembered when “the wild wind blew my childhood home apart,” wrote that the book “helps children feel less afraid and alone.” NetGalley reviewer Maeve S, a parent, wrote, “I read this book to my daughter, and she absolutely loved it.” NetGalley reviewers received advance reader copies.

Psychologist and Behavior Analyst Rachel McGregor said, “Karen has delicately, yet boldly, described the different expressions of hurt and confusion children experience. Professionals will find this an incredibly useful tool and talking point to support children.”

Details, including the book’s 10 gentle conversation starters, are on the One Nest or Two book page. Interviews with Brough and review copies for counselors, schools, libraries and family support organizations are available through the media contact below.

Published by Heart Hope Publishing and illustrated by Hiruni Kariyawasam, One Nest or Two: A story about big feelings, divorce, separation, and finding home again is out now in paperback (ISBN 978-1-922967-44-2), hardcover (ISBN 978-1-922967-43-5) and on Kindle. It is available from Amazon and other booksellers.

About Karen Brough

Karen Brough is an Australian children’s author whose picture books help families talk about grief, big feelings and family change. Her grief picture book, I Can’t Believe They’re Gone, has sold over 23,000 copies and is available in German, French, Italian and Spanish editions. More at karenbrough.com.

About Heart Hope Publishing

Heart Hope Publishing is an independent Melbourne publisher founded by Karen Brough. It creates picture books that weave gentle psychological tools into stories to help children through life’s challenges, including I Can’t Believe They’re Gone, The Tale of the Little Black Cloud, and One Nest or Two, along with faith and encouragement books for women.

Karen Brough
Heart Hope Publishing
karenbroughreviews@gmail.com
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Written By: EIN Presswire