Tomlinson (text) and Tori-Jay Mordey (illustrator), A Blue Kind of Day, Penguin Random House Australia, April 2022, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761046384
Rachel Tomlinson addresses depression in her newly released picture book, A Blue Kind of Day, illustrated by indigenous artist Tory- Jay Morley. Her main character, Coen, reveals a range of behaviours including staying for long periods in bed, pulling the blankets around himself like armour and not smiling or laughing. She writes that Coen ‘feels trapped’. His body felt prickly and he wound up like a coil. He dragged himself back to bed and scrunched into a tight, angry ball.
Tomlinson acknowledges that it is ‘normal’ for adults to want to ‘fix’ a child’s depression, but advises to be careful and not rush into action. In A Blue Kind of Day Coen’s family tries to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play with Coen. His mother tells him the funniest joke, and his little sister wants to share her favourite teddy with Coen. However, nothing helps. The break-though comes when Cohen asks his mother to read a story. Coen smiled and wondered what tomorrow might bring.
Tomlinson advises adults to read books to children where they can see themselves reflected, and ‘get them thinking about the main character’s emotion.’ She recommends that it is important to seek professional advice when a child’s depression persists for more than two weeks or a child’s behaviour is unusual.
Rachel Tomlinson is a registered psychologist who works with children. A Blue Kind of Day is a serious picture book which an adult or counsellor may wish to share with a child.
It is suitable for 3 to 5.
Reviewed by Susanne Gervay
