AustLit

'Her mother says you can't see her daddy's hurt because it's inside his head. One in five adults experiences depression in their lifetime, but young children are often left in the dark when their mother or father suddenly can't play like they used to.

'Together Things will resonate with the thousands of young children who know what it's like to live with a parent experiencing mental illness, helping them to understand -- in an age appropriate and sensitive way -- that it is okay for them to feel mad or sad about their parent's illness, but that, while their parent is getting better, they may have to do different things together to preserve their relationship, such as reading stories or drawing pictures, instead of the imaginative play their parent cannot currently envision through the haze of mental illness.

'Through wondrous illustrations and a compelling story, young children can understand the importance of mental health discussions and that sometimes they must adapt their interactions while the people in their lives focus on their mental health.'  (Publication summary)

'My Happy Sad Mummy fills a major gap: explaining to a young child the impact of living with a parent of a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder. Arising from Michelle Vasiliu’s own experience of bipolar disorder, her book uses easily understandable images and words as we see “mummy” through the eyes of the child.

'My Happy Sad Mummy is an engaging and sensitive picture book. It fills a major gap: explaining to a young child the impact on a parent of a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Kevin is being bullied by Jonny Meager, the school's worst bully. Nobody seems to be able to help Kevin. When he hides out in a sushi bar, the owner, Sammy Shu, tells Kevin he must confront Jonny by himself. Kevin knows this would work in the movies, but will it work in real life? Aust authors. Reluctant readers ages 10-14.' (Publication summary)