Why Are You So Sad?: A Child's Book About Parental Depression

Rating:
Summary: An excellent supplemental resource for child counselors
Review: Superbly written by family therapist Beth Andrews, and enhanced with the artwork of freelance illustrator Nicole Wong, Why Are You So Sad?: A Child's Book About Depression is an interactive picture book approach to explaining depression and its treatment in terms and images that kids can readily understand. Why Are You So Sad? will reassure children that their parents suffering from depression can get better and explores the many feelings such children usually experience. Why Are You So Sad? will help children ages 3 to 8 understand and express their feelings and provides them with practical tips for coping with their parent's depression. In addition to showing children how they can feel better too, Why Are You So Sad? is further enhanced with the addition of a comprehensive note to parents by therapists from the disciplines of clinical social work and clinical psychologist. Why Are You So Sad? is an ideal addition to community library collections and would make an excellent supplemental resource for child counselors and family therapists.


Rating:
Summary: A good idea, but lacks depth and interest
Review: This illustrated book helps a child understand a parent's depression. We need more books on this topic, especially when my favorite one, Please Don't Cry Mom, is out of print. Why Are You So Sad gives straightforward information, but the plot and illustrations seem one dimensional. I did not find myself drawn in by the characters. I had a couple of children look at it. One said that it sounded "accurate" but they did not find it interesting.

Children of a depressed parent need to hear this sort of information, so I will keep the book. A parent or counselor might be better off reading the book themselves, and making up their own story based on the factual material presented in the book. Sad Days, Glad Days does not have as much factual material but has better illustrations and conveys more warmth.