Is Your Child a Blueloon?

Help!  I Think My Child Might Be Depressed!

Although clinical depression is often thought of as an adult disease, it can affect children as well.  Unfortunately, children may not have the maturity to understand what is happening to them, or they may feel powerless to change their situation, so they don’t speak up about what they are going through. It is up to adults to be on the lookout for signs of trouble, and recognize when a child needs help.

What to Watch For – Potential Warning Signs of Depression in Children:

Sadness, hopelessness, loss of pleasure or interest, anxiety, turmoil (anger outbursts)

Difficulty organizing thoughts (concentrating), extreme negativity, worthlessness and guilt, helplessness, feelings of isolation, thoughts of suicide

Changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, sluggishness, agitation

Avoidance and withdrawal, clingy and demanding behavior, excessive activity, restlessness, self-harm

What to do:

Don’t minimize your child’s feelings, and reassure him child that depression is not something to be ashamed about –Some people have a hard time recovering from being sad.

Work hard to cultivate trust and communication with your child and be aware of the impact your own responses in life are having on your child.  You are your child’s coping instructor.

Allow your child the right to feel depressed and teach him that asking for help is ok – If he thinks depression is bad or not ok, he may try to hide his feelings from you.

Tell your child the truth and give him time to grieve.  By being honest, you are allowing your child to work through the pain.

Pay attention to the length of your child’s symptoms. If the symptoms linger for an extended period of time, or if you see severe changes in your child’s personality, seek professional help.

Although suicide in children is rare, it does happen.  Take it very seriously if your child says or acts like he wants to die.

If your child is experiencing frequent signs of depression that last for extended periods of time, it is crucial that you seek professional help. Children who are experiencing signs of depression do not automatically need medication.  Many children will respond to therapy alone. If you are uncertain where to seek help, contact your child’s school counselor or your family physician for a referral. 

Julia Cook is a national award winning children’s author and parenting expert. The purpose of her books is to enter the worldview of children and teach them to become life-long problem solvers. Her latest book: Blueloon is a creative story about a sad little balloon who is suffering from depression.  With help from the wise rock, Blueloon learns what he can do to “bounce back” to being the way he used to be – bright, round , and full with a very straight string!  Finally!  A book on depression  that works for Blueloons of all ages!  Available at www.juliacookonline.com  (and amazon.com)

Would you like to WIN a copy of Blueloon? Julia will give away TEN (10) copies. Just leave a comment here! If you use the anonymous feature be sure to type your name. Winners will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Click here to read My review of Julia's books and Julia Cook's Interview

From My Bookshelf to Yours: Best Me I Can Be series by Julia Cook

I Just Don't Like The Sound of No is a story about a little boy named RJ. He has a problem accepting no. He likes to argue in the hopes that he can change that answer into something else.  A teacher teaches him about the Say Yes to No Club. He learns the valuable skill of accepting no.

This book is a must for parents, teachers and anyone else that has contact with children. This story will help them learn a valuable social skill in a fun way. At the end of the book there are tips for parents and educators that will help teach children on how to accept no and how to appropriately disagree.

The Worst Day of My Life Ever is another story about RJ who is having a really bad day. What he learns is that a lot of his problems come from him not listening or following directions. This story teaches the important lesson about listening and following directions. I love how it teaches children to be responsible for their actions, own their mistakes and take control of their day. Also I like how the book explains that hearing is not the same as listening. This book also ends with tips for parents and educators.

RJ is in trouble again in Sorry I Forgot to Ask! He and his friend decide they don't want to take the bus home from school. They walk instead and make a few stops. When he gets home he learns about asking for permission. He forgets to ask about a few other things over the weekend. He learns the importance of asking for permission and also how to apologize correctly.

This story has a great message. Kids get in the habit of saying "I'm sorry" as a reflex and not really meaning it. This book teaches them the steps to sincerely apologize. This book also ends with tips for parents and educators.

These are only 3 of the wonderful books of Julia Cook. I will be reviewing more later. I am having a hard time giving these up because as a therapist I think that these are valuable tools. If you would like the chance to win one of these books leave a comment here or go to Wild About Reading. Please comment on why you would like to win one of these books. Only open to U.S. Sorry, I had a book not make it to Japan and it is very expensive!

Click here to read Julia Cook's Interview

*A free copy of this book was given to me for  a honest review.  No other compensation was provided for this review.

Interview with Author Julia Cook of the Best Me I Can Be series

About Julia Cook

Julia Cook was born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah. While living in Utah, she became actively involved in teaching children how to ski. That experience led to a love of teaching in general.  Julia now lives in Fremont, Nebraska.  She has a Master’s degree in Elementary School Counseling.  While serving as a guidance counselor, Julia often used children’s books to enhance her classroom lessons.  She is now well-recognized as a national award-winning children’s book author who has presented in over 700 schools across the country, regularly delivers keynote addresses at national education and counseling conferences, and  has 26 published children’s books. The goal behind all of Julia’s books and efforts is to actively involve young people into her fun and creative stories and teach them to become “better.”  Inspirations for her books come from working with children and carefully listening to parents and teachers. Julia’s books have been referenced in such publications as Parent’s Magazine, The New Yorker, Yahoo.com, and babyzone.com. In her spare time, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and family.

Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you.

I can ride the unicycle and play the accordion at the same time, I love banana popsicles, I think more like a kid than a grown-up.

What inspired you to write the books?

Kids that struggle with solving their problems

What are your favorite children's  authors/books?

The Box Car Children!

What advice would you give other aspiring writers? 

 Use empathy in your stories so that kids can live what they read

What are you working on now?

I book called I Just Want To Do It My Way – on staying on task and asking for help 

What do you hope your books will impart to children?

Help all who read them become life long problem solvers

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

A school guidance counselor

What obstacles have you experienced in your writing journey?

Getting my books in the right hands and truly making a positive difference to both kids and grown-ups

Anything else you would like to share?

Never underestimate the power of the words “I Can!”

Where can people buy your books/.Do you have a web page or fan page?

www.juliacookonline.com, amazon, Barnes and Noble, NCYI.org Boystown Press, Booksamillion – Just about everywhere!!


Thank you for interviewing me! Julia

Click here to read Review of Julia Cook's Books