Saturday, June 25, 2016

Not Today Celeste! - a bookwrap









According to Wikipedia:  


Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being.
People with a depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, angry, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, experience relationship difficulties and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicideInsomniaexcessive sleepingfatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present.


Unwrapping...




Authored and illustrated by Liza Stevens
Contribution by Dr. Pooky Knightsmith
Ages 3-8

Unwrapping some illustrations for you...






























About the book...


Celeste is a beautiful little dog who loves her life.  She has everything a dog could desire to be happy and at the top of her list is her beloved human, Rupert.  He is kind, funny, handsome, clever and brave.  What more could a dog possibly want? Celeste has it all.  Life is grand. 

Then one day everything changes.  Rupert changes.  He forgets to feed her, doesn't want take her out for walks or even want to have her around and yells at her making her scared and confused.  She is totally devestated by his actions and cannot comprehend his animosity and change of behaviour towards her.  

Celeste is despondent and heartbroken.  Finally ridden with grief  she seeks out her neighbour and talks to her about her feelings and what is going on in her household.  Her wise neighbour comes over to meet with Rupert and suggests that maybe he needs help to get over this slump of extreme sadness he is experiencing.  She directs him to meet with people who have similar feelings and urges him to seek help immediately.   Her neighbour assures Celeste that things will improve now and in the meantime she can come to talk to her at any time and play with her dog because the special little canine needs some time in life to play, be stress-free and well... just to be a care-free dog once again.  Celeste is very happy to oblige the offer.

This debut book by the author/illustrator will incite converstations of feelings and experiences helpful to a child whose parents or caregiver caught in that tangled, dark web of depresssion.  Children often feel that they are to blame for what's happening and they feel isolated and unloved.  This charming tale will expose the true scenario and provide assurance that it is not the child's fault and things can be rectified and healing can take place with the proper help and care. 

 Practical advice is documented at the end of the book by Dr. Pooky Knighsmith which will be a invaluable resource for social workers, child and school counsellors, psychologist, parents and foster parents.  I highly recommend this book. 




About the author..


One of the happiest moments of Liza’s life was when she realised that some people drew pictures, wrote stories and made stuff FOR THEIR ACTUAL JOBS. From that moment on, all she wanted to be was one of those people.
Liza graduated from Cambridge School of Art with a Masters Degree in Children’s Book Illustration. Her illustrations and unique, handmade dolls and puppets have been exhibited widely. Her debut picture book,”Not Today, Celeste!”, is due to be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on 21st June 2016. Created to provide a simple explanation of parental depression for young children.

Liza lives near Brighton, with her husband, sons and two particularly wonderful dogs.








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