There is a wide range of resources for children available that deal with issues of mental health. The following list is divided into three sections:
- Picture books,
- Books for children aged 5-12 years, and
- General books that are very suitable for this age group.
Handy Ideas and Information for Children and Young People (downloadable booklet)
* * * Picture Books * * *
Big and Me David Miller (2008) Ford Street Publishing, Melbourne. Available from www.fordstreetpublishing.com or any good Australian book shop.
Big and Small are machines that work together as a team. ‘But some days Big goes a bit wobbly, and I get a lot worried.’ Big malfunctions in a variety of ways and Small tries to help with the assistance of The Boss and Mechanic. The story is a metaphor for a child living with an adult who suffers from mental illness. Big and Me is dramatically illustrated with paper sculpture.
Jake’s Dinosaurs Sved Williams, A(1996), Helen Mayo House, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide. Call Helen Mayo House on 08 8303 1183.
A picture book written for children aged 3-6, who have a mother with serious mental illness.
Robby Rose and Monkey Wilkinson, L (1996), Helen Mayo House, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide. Call Helen Mayo House on 08 8303 1183.
A picture book written for children aged 3-6, about a boy whose mother develops post-natal depression after the birth of her second child.
A picture book about Sally, whose mum has had a new baby and is now suffering from post-natal depression. This book gives comfort and reassurance to 3-9 year olds in the same situation: that it is possible for their mums to get better with help, support and time.
A Terrible Thing Happened Margaret M. Holmes (2000), Magination Press. Email: www.maginationpress.com
A picture book for 4-8 year old children who have witnessed any kind of violent or traumatic episode. It uses friendly animal characters to tell the story, which centres around Sherman, who has had something terrible happen to him. The story explores the ways this made him feel and what helped him to feel better.
Something Has Happened: An activity book for young people Tricia Irving (2000), Skylight. Contact: Skylight, PO Box 7309 Wellington South, New Zealand 0800 299 100. Email: support@skylight-trust.org.nz. Web: http://www.skylight.org.nz .
An activity book for young children (aged 3-6 years old) who are facing difficult times. It is designed to be personalised by each child. There are guidelines on every page for a parent or carer as they help a child with the book.
* * * Books for children 5-12 * * *
It’s about you Too! Published by NSF (National Schizophrenia Fellowship, Scotland). See website www.nsfscot.org.uk.
A guide for children around 7-11 who have a parent with a mental illness. Excellent little book.
Helicopter Man by Elizabeth Fensham, Published by Bloomsbury, distributed by Allen and Unwin. http://www.allenandunwin.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=9780747575498
About a boy whose father has schizophrenia, this diary-style book is pitched at children aged 10-13 and up. Very good.
You’re Not Alone: A SANE Guide to mental illness for children. Available through SANE by phone or on their webpage www.sane.org
A cartoon-style book inspired by the experiences of Dan Halloran whose mother had schizophrenia. The book is aimed for children aged 8-12 and is very readable.
My Illustrated Mum Wilson, J (1999), Doubleday.
For children aged about 10and over. About a young girl living in the wake of her mother’s manic depression. Her older sister is on the brink of adulthood and facing the traumas of adolescence, and her mother is sinking further into her illness. Funny and touching, a great read.
Handle With Care L. Kaszanski & G Ferrari for ARAFMI W.A., Inc. (Association of Relatives & Friends of the Mentally Ill), Phone (03) 9889 3733.
A workbook that contains information and activities to help children aged 8-12understand more about mental illness, ways to take care of themselves and their feelings.
Helpful Harry COMIC (SA), (Children of Mentally Ill Consumers).
Email: comic.admin@bigpond.com to obtain a copy.
An adult child of a parent with a mental illness wrote this booklet for COMIC to help young children understand mental illness.
Mia's Dad is Strange and Mark's Mum is Depressed National Family Association Promoting Mental Health in Tampere, Finland (2003).
These two illustrated books for children and families have been produced by the National Family Association Promoting Mental Health in Tampere, Finland in 2003. They were developed for children under 12 years of age with the intention of explaining the effects of a parent's psychosis (Mia) and depression (Mark) on a child's everyday life.
The books cost 6 Euro each and can be ordered by emailing Kaisa Nyberg (Project Manager of the “Give Childhood a Chance” project). Email: nyberg.kaisa@nic.fi
National Family Association Promoting Health fax: +3 58 3366 4185
Can I Catch It Like A Cold?Gretchen Kelbaugh. Available via:
http://www.camh.net or Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 2S1. Email: marketing@camh.net
A story to help children understand a parent's Depression. Aimed at children in the 5-9 year age range.
The Wise Mouse Virginia Ironside (2004), Young Minds. Available at http://youngminds.org.uk/publications/other/wisemouse.php
This book is written for 5-11 year olds and aims to help them understand what is happening to a family member who may be experiencing mental illness.
Sad Days, Glad Days – A Story about Depression, Hamilton, Dewitt (1995), Albert Whitman & Co.
Wish Upon a Star Laskin, P. & Moskowitz, A. (1991).
A story for children with a parent who is mentally ill.
* General books for children that are suitable for this group *
Oh, the places you’ll go! Dr Seuss.
Vintage Dr Seuss about overcoming adversity and the rollercoaster that is life sometimes. Delightful.
The Blue Day Book for Kids – A lesson in Cheering yourself up. Bradley Trevor Grieve.
Kids’version of adult book. Great pictures.
Angry Arthur Hiawyn Oram.
Picture book about a young boy getting very angry and what happens. Good ending!
Broken beaks Nathaniel Lachenmeyer.
A beautiful story about the friendship between a small sparrow and a homeless man. It highlights the dignity of people with a mental illness. Lovely illustrations. Suitable for a range of ages.
SHRINK-RAP Press Books. Order details at: w ww.shrinkrap.com.au
These books are useful for explaining mental health problems/disorders to older children, as in these books every point is illustrated by a cartoon. They include:
Too Blue - About depression and other mood disorders.
The Panic Book - Shows how a panic disorder works and what can be done about it.
The Secret Problem - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in children is explained in clear and simple language.
The School Wobblies – For children who have difficulty going to school because they are frightened or worry too much.
For a further list of resources for young children, see
