Mental Health

Shortlist Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 A gorgeously illustrated and original read-aloud about a family called Hope and a Black Dog who is fearfully scary or insignificantly puppy-like depending on how you look at the world...Age 6-9, Paperback 25pp Themes: Mental Health, Feelings

"The Bluchers are here. When they first arrived, they came quietly and stealthily, as if they tiptoed silently into the world when we were all looking the other way...I think the reason I knew about them before most other people was because I used to spend a lot of my time sitting on my windowsill, looking down over the world". There was Before and then there was After. And that whole time, Ade and his mum have gazed down at their changed world from the relative safety of the 17th floor of a London tower block. In the After, tower blocks start to collapse and creeping, threatening plants-the Bluchers- swamp the landscape below. And then, Ade's best friend, Gaia, suddenly disappears and the construction workers sent in to repair the blocks die on site and the population seems to have vanished. Home no longer feels safe, but Mum won't leave her room... Wonderfully rich storytelling recreates and reinvents a Day of the Triffids for today's young readers in which a familiar urban world is shot through with a nightmarish dystopia. Beautifully drawn characters include Ade's burgeoning botanist friend, Gaia. A story of friendship and courage and hope, this also touches on the lives of some young carers as Ade looks after his mum who is living with agrophobia and depression. 'An excellent book. It explores issues of parental mental illness and young caring within an exciting but safe story' (Sylvia, Children's Social Work Director, LL reviewer). Age 9-12, Paperback 327pp

Grandpa Joe and Granny Lou used to love showing Ben their thriving garden of weeds and blooms, buzzing with bugs, birds and butterflies. They called it their 'private jungle'. But ever since Granny Lou passed away, the garden has gone still and grey. And, Grandpa Joe sits silently, in the dark, on his sofa. He can't even be temped outside by the butterflies. Can Ben bring them to him? A lovely grandparent/grandchild relationship set amidst a wider story of family conflict, transitions, healing, loss and recovery. 'A heart-warming tale of a family finding itself again after a bereavement; (Elena, Community Librarian, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'A lovely book dealing with loss and bereavement and the not too nice side of isolation and withdrawing into oneself' (Elaine, Foster Care Associates Liaison Officer, Letterbox Library reviewer). Chapter book with b&w illustrations. Age 8-12, Paperback 83pp

Art Class is no fun for one quiet child, sat on her own, with a fuzzy black cloud hovering over her...but a patient and fun-filled little girl resolves to find a way through the fog...Multicultural, casual images of disability, a winning text and exceptionally imaginative illustrations. Age 4-8, Paperback 27pp Themes: Mental Health, Feelings

One of Letterbox Library's favourite illustrators joins forces with the very popular Peters team. "My Dad's life was full of colour. ..But one day, Dad was full up with sadness, all the way to the top. He said his sky had turned grey." A child's perspective of their parent's depression as it threatens to take over. This excellent description of mental health problems also brilliantly captures a child's anxiety, loneliness and their overwhelming guilt when faced with a parent in pain. Enhanced by evocative language ("Months were stretchy like chewing gum...") and Karin's wonderfully expressive illustrations, this is a hugely empathetic and sensitive treatment of an adult's struggle with and recovery from a period of depression- with a concerned child looking on. 'Very sensitively handled- some great figurative language' (Jayne, Primary Inclusion Manager, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'Much needed. Positive/reassuring resolution. Great illustrations.' (Rosalind, Workforce Dev. Commissioning Officer, Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 6-9, Paperback 24pp Themes: Mental Health, Families

Stevie knows a lot of things. About a lot of things. Including about herself. But one thing she doesn't know is the "something funny", the "fizzy feeling" that overcomes her when she looks at her friend, Chloe. A dreamy stream of free verse details the anxiety and then the realisation and the joy as Stevie recognises her shifting sexuality. A sensitive exploration of identity and anxiety by an Irish, award-winning author. So very well pitched to a middle grade, pre-teen, reader. 'What an amazing book- on so many levels. The narrative style and layout make the reading fast and easy; the characters are so well drawn. Perfect- understandable, life affirming for so many young people' (Elaine, Foster Care Associates Liaison Officer, LL reviewer). Age 9-14, Paperback 156pp

Oscar loves spending time with his Grandma but lately she has been getting forgetful and soon she has to go into a care home. A child-friendly exploration of what dementia is. Includes factual information to help children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship. Ages 4-7, Paperback 28pp

Selected by Booktrust as a Best Book of 2013 The second in the series of these most joyful and inclusive books! Explore lots of different feelings with the children in this book, see if you can find feelings that match your own, or that help you understand how other people are feeling. Feelings explored with the same warmth, wit and sensitivity as in the award-winning 'The Great Big Book of Families'. Age 4-8, Paperback 32pp

Booktrust Best New Illustrators Award 2008 A bereaved little girl decides to put her heart away in a safe place. But will she know how to get it back? The depths of love and loss are treated with an extraordinary lightness of touch. Age 5-adult, Paperback 31pp Themes: Mental Health, Bereavement

A lovely feelings book in which a child invents a happiness which tastes of sunshine and smells of warm biscuits; she puts it all in a jar and carries it everywhere, sharing it with people along the way. But then one day her jar is no longer there...can her friends help her rediscover some happiness? 'Liked this. Gentle illustrations and a story of kindness and a girl as a budding scientific inventor of happiness! Yes!' (Eileen, Former Primary Teacher, LL reviewer). Age 3-6 Paperback 27pp

How wonderful to have an in-depth, pre-teen read which takes on, eloquently and honestly, young people's own struggles with depression and suicide. Fantastic storytelling weaves together the experiences of four young teens who have all been excluded in different ways and made to feel 'different': Francis, a fashion-loving boy; Andi, a girl who refuses conventional ideas about 'femininity'; Robert, an obese computer geek and, of course, Jessica, the ghost of a suicide victim determined to bring joy back into the lives of her new friends. Fantastic characterisations, warm hearted and ultimately hopeful. A wonderful tribute to friendship. 'Jessica's Ghost is both a hymn to the joys of "being different" and an earnest exploration of the serious traumas suffered by teenagers who are lucky enough, and unlucky enough, to be unconventional' (Josh Lacey, The Guardian, May 2015). Age 9-12, Paperback 247pp Themes: Mental Health, Bullying, Gender Equality

A very important book. It is the start of Spring. But, Luna insists, today is not a day for smiling. Because today is the anniversary of her mum's death or, rather, her mum's suicide. Luna rages at her dad, "People you love don't get to stop living and leave you behind!" An extraordinarily difficult subject is given an honest and, nevertheless, soothing and reassuring treatment by a picture book for the very young. Luna's Dad allows her to express both her grief and her fury; he answers every question she has; he explains her Mum's illness; he banishes Luna's irrational guilt at her mum's death. Complete with a guide for carers by a bereavement specialist. 'A lovely, sensitive story' (Carey, Childminder, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'Book allows Luna to express strong feelings, ask painful questions and, with support form her dad, to have a future that includes happy memories of her mum' (Maggie, Former Early Years Adviser, Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 5-8, Hardback 24pp

6-year-old Little Bea has a special pretend friend, Nye Nye, who has green wings and who is great for making mud pies and carpet-flying with. On the days Bea doesn't want to play with Nye Nye, she simply waves Bye Bye and Nye Nye disappears. Big Jay has very different pretend friends. These ones stick around whether Jay wants them to or not- and they make him feel sad and scared. A fantastically clever book which explains hallucinations caused by schizophrenia and other mental health illnesses to very young children and which also helps children think about ways adults with these hallucinations can be meaningfully supported. Very child-friendly and child-appropriate. "I love the idea of this book as I love books that tackle issues that some people will be lazy and pass off as 'it's too difficult to explain to a child'" (Josephine, teen reviewer for Letterbox Library). "An amazing book that tackles a difficult topic" (Elaine, Educational Psychologist, Letterbox Library reviewer). Comes with lots of supportive back notes. The author is an Advisory Teacher for the PSHE Association and is a member of Rethink Mental Health. Age 4-8, Hardback 36pp

By an author who lives with depression, this is a beautiful picture book exploring a complex issue through the 'comfort' of a fairytale format. The story first introduces us to a princess who is happy at school, at play and at home- until, very gradually, a big swirly black fog comes into her life, slowly enveloping her, leaving her tired and sad and unable to accomplish even the easiest of tasks. Her parents try everything; they even try to erase the angry scrawl above her head with an enormous pencil rubber. It takes a special friend who is persistent in his visits and who finally gets her to talk for the fog to start to dissipate. The story ends with a series of supportive strategies suggested by friends, family and professionals. A thoughtful and empowering book for young children who are living with depression. Comes with a guide for carers. 'Very helpful for children to identify with and to understand and support others who are depressed' (June, Parent, Letterbox Library reviewer). 'Wow. Supportive, empathetic and great illustrations. Helpful to all' (Rosalind, Workforce Dev. Commissioning Officer, Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 4-7, Hardback 38pp

A small child builds something. It comes crashing down. He sits hunched up on the floor, forlorn and low. Creatures rush in to 'help'. The chicken suggests chatting; the bear suggests a good roar; the ostrich suggests burying their heads in the sand... all to no avail. And then, along comes a rabbit, a quiet rabbit who simply...listens! Soon Taylor is talking, laughing, shouting and, finally rebuilding. We have seen a flurry of books recently on kindness and empathy but this one really is exquisite. Celebrates the emotional art of 'active' listening and how to adopt patience and silence in the face of someone's loss or pain. An Empathy Lab choice 2020. Age 3-7, Paperback 32pp

Scarlet is used to looking after her little brother (who has a learning disability) so when her mum's depression results in them being split up into different foster homes, Scarlet is determined to get her brother back. Explores mental health and the complexities of the care system (without demonizing any social workers!) Ages 9-12 , Paperback 203pp

A child introduces her 'Up and Down Mum', both on top of the world and, sometimes, crushed by it; a fabulous, spaghetti-making Mum one day, a stay-in-bed Mum the next day; sometimes she is a brilliant, roaring make believe dragon and also, sometimes, she needs to go away somewhere quiet...on those days, Grandad comes to stay. A very clever, authentic book which spills over with the unconditional love of a child for her parent- and vice versa! Developed in consultation with families who have a parent with bipolar disorder and created in collaboration with The Wellcome Trust. Great backnotes on BPD. 'Strong on the positive relationship between child and parent. Includes themes of seeking help, managing a long term condition, changes in care/family arrangements which would be useful to a range of children/families' (Anna, Social Worker/Therapist/Disability Advisor/living with bipolar, reviewing for Letterbox Library). 'I think this book is great. We have a child at school who I know has expressed some of these feelings about her own mother who has BPD & this is the sort of book that would really support her, especially as it's 'real' about some of the aspects that the child finds difficult' (Edyta, Primary Teacher, Letterbox Library Reviewer). Age 4-7 Paperback 30pp

Amy's parents have separated, she and her mum have moved away, Secondary School looms and Amy's anxiety levels are being pushed in to overdrive. So much so that Amy becomes a school refuser. But then comes the opportunity to attend Grace Nuala's Art School. She is soon joined by Rami, a recent refugee to the UK from Syria, a witness to and victim of some of the worst humanity the world has to offer. And yet, Rami insists on and claims an identity beyond 'Refugee'. Together, these two girls form a friendship which slowly, delicately but determinedly transforms them through its strength and balm. Brahmachari at her best- full of her trademark compassion for and respectful honouring of young people's lives and voices. 'An excellent book- I read it in one sitting!' (Sylvia, Children's Social Work Director, LL reviewer). Age 8-12, Interest 8-12, Paperback 96pp