Coming home by Sharon McGuinness
Ill. by Shannon Melville. Wombat Books, 2012. ISBN 9781921633775.
(Ages: 5-9) Highly recommended. Gemma cannot understand why her
father seems to be so sad. She watches him as he sits alone in his
garden and sees how he can laugh with his friends when they come
around, but then how he goes into a silent mood when they leave. She
dances and talks and laughs but he doesn't seem to listen. Then one
day he feels the sun on his face and he starts to smile.
Very few picture books look at the topic of depression, which, from
the notes at the back of this book, one in five people will suffer
from in their lifetime. Sharon McGuinness has tackled this tough
topic with sensitivity and hope, vividly portraying how Gemma feels
when her father is depressed. Nothing that Gemma does to try and
lift her father's mood works. Children who are living with someone
who suffers from depression will be able to identify with Gemma as
she tries her best to understand the greyness that surrounds her
father. The ideas contained in this book will assist children to
gain an insight into the illness of depression, allowing them to
know that it is not their fault. Adults who suffer from
depression themselves will better understand the effects that it has
on family members.
The illustrations by Shannon Melville complement the text and add to
the understanding of the nature of the illness. Starting with blacks
and greys the pictures are coloured to show the depth of the illness
but by the end of the book, the illustrations are in warm yellows
and blues demonstrating the light that has come back into Gemma's
father and her life.
Information is given at the back of the book about the importance of
seeking help and support if someone the reader knows seems depressed
and links are given to various organisations that can help.
Author royalties will go The Black Dog Institute, which has endorsed
the book.
This is an invaluable book for a library to have because it would be
of immense help to many children who know or who are living with a
person with depression.
Pat Pledger