Coming home by Sharon McGuinness
Ill. Shannon Melville. Wombat Books, 2012. hbk., RRP $24.95. ISBN
978-1-921633-77-5.
'Gemma watches her dad as he sits alone in his garden. Waiting. Day
after day.
Looking but not seeing. Shoulders hunched. Body slumped.' No matter
what Gemma
does - whirling like a ballerina, turning cartwheels, even playing a
tune on her
recorder - nothing seems to break through to that dark and lonely place
that her
dad inhabits these days. She even wonders if he loves her any more.
Weeks pass
and then one day . . .
I have been WAITING to review this remarkable book by our very own
Sharon
McGuinness - she who is behind the wonderful Mrs Mac's Library that is
such a wonderful resource for
all of us.
Gemma's dad suffers from depression and in Coming Home, Sharon
has
dared to
tackle an issue that she knows much about, that many of our students
experience
within their families, and yet few bring into the open through
contemporary
realistic fiction that is aimed at the primary school child. This
sensitively
illustrated picture book that starts in a dark place with just a few
spots of
colour of hope blossoms into a beautiful story that needs to be shared.
Despite
its focus, it is a story of hope and learning to enjoy what is, not
worry about
what might be. Gemma's dad may relapse, but, for now, Gemma's just glad
to have
him 'home'. The words may seem simple, but they are carefully chosen
and convey
a powerful message. Perhaps it will be your lead-in to RUOK Day on
September
13.
Mental health issues are very slowly losing the taboo that has
surrounded them
for centuries, and by writing Coming Home Sharon has given us a
story
that can
help us open discussions with a group or be gently suggested to a
particular
student because the teacher librarian knows both students and the
collection.
This is a story written with such delicacy that you know it has been
written by
one who has lived the life and knows how to reach out to children.
Sharon is developing a book trailer which will be available on her new
site Mrs
Mac's Books and teachers'
notes
are available.
She is also donating all royalties to the Black Dog Institute to
help
fund
education programs and further research.
Coming Home's message and quality is being heard in the author
community - it
will be launched at the State Library in Perth on October 16 by Meg
McKinlay
(No Bears) at a function also attended by Norman Jorgensen,
Sally
Murphy, and
Susanne Gervay. Acknowledgement and accolades indeed for a new author!
Even if you only have $25.00 left in your budget for this year, spend
it on this
book.
Congratulations, and thank you, Sharon.
Advice, support and treatment for depression is available from:
Black Dog Institute ,
Beyond Blue , Headspace (Australia's
national youth mental health foundation),
RUOK?&
and Lifeline .
Barbara Braxton