The Whale Who Felt a Little Blue: A Picture Book About Depression

Isla Wynter

Jun 2021 · Peryton Press

About this ebook

Some days, Luka the blue whale doesn’t feel happy at all. He gets angry, he’s sad, he cries until the ocean is salty.

His friend Jenny wants to help Luka, but how?

Luckily, a wise mermaid might know what to do…

This lovingly illustrated picture book gently introduces children to the symptoms of depression and gives advice on how to help others who’re feeling blue. A book not just for children.

This book is recommended for:

- Children with parents, siblings, friends or relatives suffering from depression

- Children who show symptoms of depression and low mood

- Adults of any age who want a simple and relatable insight into what it’s like to have depression.

Ratings and reviews

Friends Helping Friends - The whale in this story feels more than a little blue. The blue whale (literally a blue whale!) at turns feels alone, sad, angry… and at times tries to shut himself away from the undersea world. But he is lucky to have a sperm whale friend who asks the ocean’s wisest mermaid what she can do to help her friend when he feels out of sorts. The mermaid provides a list of ideas and encourages the sperm whale to come up with ideas of her own. At the end of the book, the sperm whale tries the ideas, and of course, they work. Other than I wish the mermaid’s ideas weren’t in a list form, the book is lovely and could help friends help each other get past life’s rough patches. I like how the book encourages the reader to come up with their own ideas to help, too. After all, no two pairs of friends are the same! Some ideas/strategies are excellent for adults, too… and might even be helpful for a child to get past their own “blue” moods and days! I received a free copy of this picture book, but that did not affect my review.

Whimsical and Beautiful This is a simply wonderful story, beautifully illustrated, with a poignant and challenging message. I loved how accessible dealing with a depressed playmate became for Jenny, and how she helped Luka just by being there. This book should be required learning in schools, to help kids talk to others about their emotions, no matter how difficult it may seem.

About the author

Isla Wynter lives in Scotland with a cute cat, a lonely pot plant (it used to be three) and a horde of imaginary friends.

She believes in unicorns and plans to one day convince the world of that fact. Even if she has to catch a unicorn herself.

Until then, she continues to write stories for children and young adults.