Monday, January 18, 2021

Guest book review - Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka: How Play Therapy can Help Children with Depression by Amy Wilinski-Lyman (Author), Leela Green (Illustrator)


Even the happiest creature on Earth can get the sads! Lucky G makes a trip down under to help out a struggling quokka. Join them on their journey to better mental health.  

Lucky G is a big bird on a big mission: To help kids cope with their mental and physical challenges.

Raves for the Raven Who is a Therapist 

This book grabs you from the outset and takes you on a hopeful journey: A colorful, spunky raven (with a Ph.D.) travels to Australia to meet a quokka who has lost his true smile, finds it hard to move and isn't hanging out with friends anymore. Dr. G knows that depression is the culprit, and extends a listening ear and helping hand, all the while reassuring the quokka that lots of adults and kids feel depression, too! 

The illustrations are colorful and whimsical, and the fact that Amy takes us on a journey to Australia provides the novelty that keeps the book captivating and moving right along. I truly enjoyed reading this and I believe children with depression, and their parents, will find acknowledgment, guidance and hope in this little book. Enjoyable, informative and capable of capturing a child's imagination. ~ Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Founder, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery & Education, Fairfax, VA 

In her latest Lucky G book installment, Wilinski-Lyman makes the concept of play therapy accessible to children and parents. Speaking from experience, and from the heart, she presents therapy as a helpful tool for kids and fights stigma against depression. Her characters are easy to relate to for children and families alike. The vivid and expressive illustrations by Leela Green make this book a visual treat for all ages. ~ Marta Manning, former president NAMI Midland, MI chapter (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 

I liked the whole story. Blue was my favorite character--I would be friends with him. I liked how Blue was sad at the start and then was happy by the end. ~ Astor, 7 years old 

Available to buy from...

Enjoy these beautiful excerpts...

Amy Wilinski-Lyman (Author), Leela Green (Illustrator)
Lucky G is a big bird on a big mission: 
To help kids cope with their mental and physical challenges.

Guest book review by Carly Louise Wilson
‘Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka’ is a beautifully illustrated book that helps educate children and adults on depression and the overwhelming feelings of sadness.

Depression comes in all shapes and forms, and just because someone is smiling on the outside, does not mean their happiness is reflected in the inside. This book was a very powerful and constructive way to help teach children that ‘it’s ok not to be ok’, and the importance in trusting someone and talking about feelings. It also encourages therapy and play therapy, something which takes away the societal stigma around children having to speak to professionals. My grandma always used to say ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ and this book follows that same sort of rationale and moral, and encourages children to also look around them for others who may need a helping hand or help.

I loved the illustrations, it is educational to children about Australia and animals, and also had a funky cool edge with the rhyming couplets.

As a woman in her 30s who doesn’t always know the right thing to do, this book was a good starting point and has a great collection of notes for guidance towards the back of the book to reference.

This book is suitable for all ages as it contains valuable lessons to be learned, and depression in children and adults is a topic which needs to continuously be discussed and spotlighted. The cover alone was quirky and made it stand out as a book.

5 Stars

About the Author
AMY WILINSKI-LYMAN lives in Michigan with her three awesome children: Zach, Drew, and Kendall; and her big fluffy orange cat, Marshall. Amy was hospitalized with depression for two months in early 2016. During that time, Amy’s family desperately tried to find resources to help her young daughter and two sons cope with their mom’s deep sadness. They quickly learned there was nothing really out there. Amy decided she would change that. She set out to create a character and a story children would enjoy and understand. Through her books and online presence she wants to show parents and children living with mental illness that there is hope.

You can also follow the author here...
Website   Facebook    Twitter   Instagram   Goodreads  

Follow the Book Tour
018836-glossy-silver-icon-symbols-shapes-square-2
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

Win $25 Amazon.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash
(winners choice)
Ending on Sunday 31st January at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!
Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x
Current book tours open for sign ups HERE


Thursday, January 14, 2021

Cricut Access Exclusive Sale!

 


**This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you for any and all clicks. 


banner  

Starting today through 1/19, is the Cricut Access Exclusive Sale featuring 40% off select materials and accessories! Cricut.com is offering Free Economy Shipping on orders $99+ with code SHIPJAN or JANSHIP through 1/31.