The Princess and the Fog: A Story for Children with Depression

by Lloyd Jones (Author) Lloyd Jones (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Bronze Medal Winner in the Picture Books, Early Reader category of the 2015 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards

Once upon a time there was a Princess. She had everything a little girl could ever want, and she was happy. That is, until the fog came...

The Princess and the Fog is picture book to help sufferers of depression aged 5-7 cope with their difficult feelings. It uses vibrant illustrations, a sense of humour and metaphor to create a relatable, enjoyable story that describes the symptoms of childhood depression while also providing hope that things can get better with a little help and support. The story is also a great starting point for explaining depression to all children, especially those who may have a parent or close family member with depression.

With an essential guide for parents and carers by clinical paediatric psychologists, Dr Melinda Edwards MBE and Linda Bayliss, this book will be of immeasurable value to anyone supporting a child with, or affected by, depression, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, arts therapists, pastoral care workers and school staff, as well as parents and carers.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.95

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--An age-appropriate look at depression. Though this picture book opens with "Once upon a time," this is far from a typical princess book. The title princess loves to read books, ride horses, and play outside with her friends. Everything begins to change, however, when a fog, symbolizing depression, creeps in. Slowly, the princess feels sad and lonely, no longer enjoys the activities she once did, and doesn't want to leave her palace or see her friends. Her well-meaning parents try everything they can to make her smile, but nothing works. Eventually, a friend asks the princess if she wants to talk. By discussing her feelings, setting up daily challenges, and receiving advice from various people, the princess begins to feel better. The people in her life and the advice that she receives also help her deal with the dark clouds when they return. This title effectively conveys what depression feels like to children. The fairy tale-type story and the striking, dynamic illustrations, which use color to indicate the princess's changing mood, make a heavy topic accessible. A special author's note is included for caregivers on helping children with depression. VERDICT A good option for educating children about mental health, and a solid choice for caregivers who are struggling with depression and want to educate the younger members of their families about the topic.--Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

We don't often think about younger children having depression, what we mistake for early puberty might actually be early signs of depression. This book is aimed at kids ages 5-7 (but kids under 9 will appreciate it as well) describes what kids feel when 'the fog descends' and kids don't want to do anything, or do what they used to.It is also a very good book for kids with parents who suffer from depression, to read and to help understand what is going on with the person with depression, and why they don't act 'like themselves' anymore, but then later they do. The illustrations by Lloyd fit the story perfectly. The book also includes a depression guide for parents and caregivers, by Dr Melinda Edwards and Linda Bayliss, that's offers great tips, suggestions and guidance. This is a book that needs to be at every school, and read to every child!. We highly recommend this book!—Bless Their Hearts Mom blog
Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones is a silly man with a silly beard who lives in the south of England. More of his work can be seen at www.lloydjonesillustration.com. Lloyd has a first class honours degree in Illustration from the University of Portsmouth, an MA in Sequential Design and Illustration from the University of Brighton and he is currently working on a PGCE FE from the University of Southampton. He has learned to live with his fog, rather than suffer from it.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781849056557
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date
June 21, 2015
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV034000 - Juvenile Fiction | Royalty (kings queens princes princesses knights etc.)
JUV039240 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Depression & Mental Illness
Library of Congress categories
Depression in children

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