Who Is Your Safe Person?

3/15/2020

A Book Review of Stay Through the Storm

Stay Through the Storm
Written by: Joanna Rowland
Illustrated by: Lorian Tu
Published by: beaming books

Stay Through the Storm is one of the few picture books for young children that touches on the topics of severe depression, suicidal thoughts and hopelessness. "The Storm" and the darkness in the story can be an analogy for many struggles that children experience, so this book is relevant to all children. It is most appropriate for children ages 3-8.

Why would we broach the subject of suicide with young children? It's very painful for us to accept that suicide touches lives of young children, but it does. They may have teenage or adult relatives or friends that die due to suicide. They may have suicidal thoughts themselves or may even have made attempts. Even though successful suicides are rare in children below age 10, children as young as 5 years old have successfully committed suicide. Suicidal thoughts at a young age are a major predictor of later successful suicide. Therefore, it is important to address coping with these feelings from a young age. Joanna Rowland, the author, approaches this intense topic in an age-appropriate and gentle manner.

Her theme throughout the book stresses the power of friendship to help us through life's storms. The story helps children understand the importance of reaching out or accepting the help of others when their lives feel full of darkness. "Stay" is a repeated word throughout the dialogue. "Stay" and allow me to care for you. Together we can conquer your hopeless, scared feelings. Tell me about your feelings, I will understand because I am human and I probably felt that way at one time or another too. This will end and we'll get to the other side of it together. If the feeling comes again, I will be here for you then too. This book is an example of humanity at its best.

Through the illustrations, Lorian Tu, portrays hopefulness through vivid colors. The illustration of the fort on the cover and in the book supports the theme that you are safe and protected and can be helped through tough times.

I highly recommend this book for all children, especially those who have been through or are going through dark and difficult times. This gentle, beautiful story provides coping skills, reassurance and hope to the youngest among us.

Check out this author's website for excellent books on mental health and other topics for young children. https://www.writerrowland.com/

Activity Idea for Stay through the Storm

Have a discussion with your child after reading the book. The following questions can help.
1. If you were feeling really big feelings like sad, scared, confused, hopeless or worried, who would you want to be with you to help you(can be more than one person)?

2. How would that person(s) know you're having big feelings and that you want them to stay with you?

3. What do you think that person can do with you to help you feel cared about and safe?

4. Who do you think would want YOU with them if they were having really big feelings?

After the discussion, make a fort/tent with the child and include their safe people inside the tent.
Directions are below.

Materials Needed:
thick light-colored cardstock paper
crayons
scissors

Directions:
1. Fold one sheet of cardstock in half

2. On the outside of the tent, have the child draw what has or might give them really big feelings.

3. On the inside of the tent, have child draw things that they would like their support person to do with them to help them feel cared for and safe.

4. Fold a 2nd piece of cardstock in half. Ask child "Who would you want to be with you to help you with those big feelings?" Have child draw him(her)self and that person(s) on the half piece of paper.

5. Help child cut out people.

6. Write names on back of people.

7. Fold people in half and sit them up.

8. Have child put the people in the tent.

9. Top view

10. Finished project! Discuss further about their specific drawings and support people.
Have fun!