Dark Cloud - Anna Lazowski - ★★★★.¼

AUTHOR: Anna Lazowski

ILLUSTRATOR: Penny Neville-Lee

GENRE: Children's Picture Book, Mental Health

RATING: 4.25 stars.

In a Nutshell: A lovely picture book highlighting to little ones how they can cope with the ‘dark cloud’ of depression.

Abigail, our lead character, has a dark cloud that follows her everywhere. It changes form at times, turning into a fog or a shadow, but it never leaves her alone. One day, Abigail understands that while she cannot get rid of the cloud, there are certain things she can do to reduce its influence on her life. This way, she can step away from its darkness and experience the bright sunshine.

Through the lovely metaphor of a dark cloud, the book highlights how depression can make everything in our life seem gloomy and dull. However, if we learn to accept that we have the cloud over our head, we can be better prepared to face it and even overpower it. Children can thus understand that having a cloud over their happy emotions isn’t something to be ignored but to be acknowledged, discussed, and sorted out.

Abigail’s dad has an important role to play in the plot, and I am glad at how this highlights the importance of seeking help. Kids find talking about emotions difficult, but it is so helpful to have a supportive listening ear when you need one. Of course, the support may not always come from within families. The author’s parting note highlights some simple beginners steps towards discussion of emotional issues, and also provides helpline numbers for USA, UK & Canada.

Another thing I loved was how the dark cloud doesn’t disappear from Abigail’s life as the story goes on. It is just that she understands better how to deal with it.. This is so important for children to understand about mental health issues – there is no magic solution that will pop away your troubles. It is a slow and constant process, and the results take time, but if you invest the efforts, there is a rainbow at the end of the dark cloud.

That said, the book would serve more as a discussion starter than as a remedy. The topic of depression is too deep for little minds, and I hope this book will be utilised not just by children but also by parents/teachers/guardians to encourage little ones to understand mental health and seek/provide help if needed.

One part that isn’t mentioned in the text but covered nicely by the illustrations is how Abigail’s dark cloud persisted even in the presence of her friends. So the solution usually provided by caregivers when kids feel gloomy – ‘Go play with your friends!’ – isn’t a magical remedy, and the book thus highlights how it is possible to be depressed even when you are amid company.

The content is written in simple prose, with about 4 lines per page, thereby not overwhelming little ones.

The illustrations match the pulse of the book every step of the way. Abigail’s resigned expression under the dark cloud is matched by B&W illustrations, and when she accepts her mental issues and steps into the ‘sunshine’, the colours become multihued and vivid.

Definitely recommended as this book shows how to embrace your depression rather than ignoring it or being overburdened by it.

My thanks to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Dark Cloud”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.