Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka: How Play Therapy can Help Children with Depression

Amy Wilinski-Lyman

Oct 2020 · Loving Healing Press

About this eBook

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

AMY WILINSKI-LYMAN lives in Michigan with her three awesome children: Zach, Drew, and Kendall; and her big fluffy orange cat, Marshall. Amy became a mental health warrior in 2016 after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Through her books and online presence she wants to show parents and children living with mental illness that there is hope.

Learn more at AmyLymanAuthor.com

From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com      

Ratings and reviews

An ideal book to help a young person understand the difficult topic of depression whilst showing them that they are not alone in having off days, feeling down or lost. This lovely book cleverly uses a zoo instead of a school, using different bright and colorful animals that young readers can relate to helping them to open up and discuss how they are feeling. The eye catching illustrations follow Lucky G, as he goes round the zoo asking for advice from the other zoo inhabitants on how Blue was feeling, demonstrating to the young reader that people who care and know them well will be concerned and notice a difference in their attitude and behaviour. Lucky G will help them feel that they can reach out and ask for help from someone when they need it. With the animals telling them it is okay to feel this way, I feel that they will respond to the advice rather than a person telling them. A brilliant descriptive and excellent written book in short rhyming paragraphs and a book that can be read time after time, helping a young reader suffering from depression or knowing someone who is.

I have reviewed several other therapeutic children's books published by Loving Healing Press, so my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. Aimed at 5-8 year old children with diagnosable depression, this little book has two components: first the illustrated story with rhyming couplets simple enough for a Grade 3 child to read, and for all to enjoy when read by an adult; then a section for parents that is scientifically accurate, in plain language. This part addresses several myths without lecturing, and lists relevant resources within the USA. The illustrations are delightful, and will be enjoyed by any kid. The characters are a wise raven (with a Ph.D. no less), and several Australian native animals who interact in a very human way that should a raise laugh by both parents and children. Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka is not actually a therapeutic book. Rather, in both the story and the parents' component, it educates about depression, destigmatizes mental illness, and encourages people to seek professional help. It informs the reader about the symptoms, and motivates parents to act. I can thoroughly recommend this fun little book.

As someone with depression, it’s hard to describe and explain it to children. Additional, depression is much more than “just sadness”. This book does a great job explaining it and also normalizing it. Additionally, it speaks of talking to someone about your feelings, something that kids and adults alike seem to forget when they need it most. A lot of the words rhyme, which makes the book fun to read. The illustrations are colorful (Dr. Lucky G is my favorite!) and the animals are unique – not your every day cat or dog that you see! The book may be a little too long and wordy for kids to read alone at a young age. I don’t think my 7, soon to be 8 year old would sit and read it all herself, but it would make for a great read together book (child reads one page, parent reads another). I definitely think this is a book that should be on hand for families, especially families that have depression run in the family. It can be a book that helps explain to children as well as encourage them to speak to someone. It also is great for kids who may already be going to therapy and think it’s “dumb” or is negative to them. I enjoyed this book and will definitely be keeping it on hand. As someone with depression and with a child who has depression, this book is definitely going to come in handy!

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. Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka is her second book. The first, Lucky G and the Sunbeam Girl, was published in 2019. Amy became a mental health warrior in 2016 after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Through her books and online presence (www.facebook.com/luckygbookseries), she wants to show parents and children living with mental illness that there is hope. A good treatment plan can be game changing. A fantastic support system is also extremely helpful. Amy credits her family’s love, encouragement, and patience with helping her to reach her goals. Readers can email the author at www.AmyLymanAuthor.com

Leela J. Green is an artist and illustrator based in Michigan. She is excited to use her talents and vibrant style to bring the Lucky G books to life and to help young readers and their families deal with mental illness. As someone who also struggles with mental illness, Leela knows the power of art to communicate difficult feelings. She hopes Lucky G can help people find hope and to rise above depression to find joy. Readers can email the illustrator at [e-mail].