By 2010, it is estimated that more children will be living in one-parent/ step families than with both parents. Children's books are starting to reflect these changes. Books about lone-parent situations aren't all grim "issue" books on divorce and bereavement, either; many simply show a single-parent situation as the "normal" back-drop to a good story.
The following books are taken from a new guide to such books ("Families Just Like Us") to be published next month by Book Trust and the National Council for One Parent Families (020-7428 5400) or Book Trust (020-8516 2993).
Flour Babies (Anne Fine, Puffin, £4.99, 9-13yrs)
Simon and each of his classmates are given a "flour baby" to look after for three weeks. As Simon becomes unusually attached to his "baby", he also begins to appreciate the work involved in being a parent - particularly a single parent like his mother.
Playing With Mum (Carla Dijs, Child's Play, £5.99, 1-4 years).
Books featuring just mum or just dad are becoming far more common now. This volume celebrates the mother-child relationship, as a small piglet plays exuberantly at being a range of different animals in this pop-up book.
Why? (Lindsay Camp and Tony Ross, HB Andersen Press,£9.99, 4-7 yrs)
Many parents will be familiar with the cry "why?" from young lips. Here Lily's constant barrage of questions is driving her father to distraction in a delightful interpretation of a father- daughter relationship.
We're Going On A Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, Walker Books, £4.99, 2-6 yrs)
This has rapidly become a firm favourite for the age group. A father takes his party of children on a bear hunt, encountering grasslands, rivers and snowstorms en route. The rhythmic text has a musical charm that lends itself well to reading aloud.
My Dad is ... My Mum (Ali Ives and Georgie Birkett Macdonald, Young Books, £8.50, 5-8 yrs)
Although 25%of children live with one parent, this can still be a sensitive subject, especially at school. It's very difficult for Becky when she has to write an essay on the theme My Dad is ... But she finds the perfect solution.
Two of Everything (Babette Cole, Random House, £4.99, 6-9 yrs)
This story shows how miserable it can be living with two parents who hate each other. Then the children come up with the inspirational idea of "un-marrying" them, and the festivities begin . An original and effective book about divorce, laced with great humour.
Stone Cold (Robert Swindells, Puffin, £4.99, 12+ yrs)
The arrival of an unfriendly stepfather causes "Link" to leave home and live on the streets. His story is interwoven with that of an ex-soldier, set upon ridding the streets of "vermin" by enticing the homeless back to his house and murdering them. A gripping yet disturbing read.
