Book Description
for A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson and Tori-Jay Mordey
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Coen, a young Indigenous Australian boy, is having a blue kind of day. From the opening illustration, created digitally with blue and purple tones, Coen and his stuffed koala bear are slumped and sad in bed. Progressive scenes show Coen struggling with symptoms of depression and a desire to crawl back into bed. Initially, his multiracial racial family members (Indigenous/white) each try to pull Coen out of his dark mood, but eventually respond to his need for quiet support and comfort. With time, Coen emerges from his blanket cocoon to engage with his sister and parent on his terms. This relatable book about feelings, illustrated by an Indigenous Australian, also includes an author’s note about depression and emotional distress in children. (Ages 4-8)
CCBC Choices 2023. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2023. Used with permission.