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Together Things

When her father feels sad, a little girl finds ways to keep the bonds of love alive

Michelle Vasiliu author Gwynneth Jones author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Exisle Publishing

Published:1st Feb '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Together Things cover

A poignant tale about a girl adapting to her father's depression, Together Things offers comfort and understanding to young readers facing similar challenges.

In Together Things, a young girl grapples with the changes in her father's behavior as he battles depression. Once a source of joy and fun, her dad now struggles with feelings that she cannot fully comprehend. The narrative unfolds as the girl learns that her father's sadness is not something visible, but rather a deep-seated issue that resides within his mind. This poignant exploration highlights the often-overlooked impact of mental illness on children, who may feel confused and isolated when a parent can no longer engage in the activities they once enjoyed.

As the story progresses, the girl discovers that while her father works on his recovery, they can still share meaningful moments together, albeit in different ways. The book emphasizes that it is normal for children to feel a range of emotions about their parent's struggles, including anger and sadness. Through creative alternatives like reading stories or drawing, they can maintain their bond, even when traditional play is not possible. This message is crucial for young readers who may be experiencing similar situations in their own lives.

With beautiful illustrations complementing its heartfelt narrative, Together Things serves as a gentle guide for children navigating the complexities of a parent's mental health. It encourages open conversations about feelings and mental well-being, fostering understanding and empathy in the face of adversity.

Compassion and empathy are the key message of the book and Vasiliu conveys that in a simple, understated, but incredibly powerful way. * NZ Booklovers Review *
A sad but beautiful picture book exploring a child’s view of a parent’s depression. These feelings, along with the young girl’s confusion and anger is portrayed in darkening squiggly lines the further you venture through the book. The squiggles lighten again, and although they are still there, new connections help keep them at bay. * What book next? *
This beautiful book touches on the difficulties that children may experience in understanding the changes that occur in their parent/s if they struggle with mental illness. In this book it is the Father who “feels sad”. * Early Childhood Educators Australia *
Children struggling to accept change in their family caused by mental illness will benefit from this warm hearted story helping them understand the reality of depression, suffered by one in five adults. * Blue Wolf Reviews *
A sad but beautiful picture book exploring a child’s view of a parent’s depression. These feelings, along with the young girl’s confusion and anger is portrayed in darkening squiggly lines the further you venture through the book. The squiggles lighten again, and although they are still there, new connections help keep them at bay. * What book next? *

ISBN: 9781925820294

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

32 pages