Bouncing Away – The ups and downs of life and how to deal with them

Bouncing Away – The ups and downs of life and how to deal with them
10.00

The first mental health book in Ireland created by children for children.

Recommended age: 8-12

The book gives insight into children’s own perspectives on how they stay happy and how they cope during tough times.

 

Description

This book was developed by children aged 8 to 12 years old in Sligo from the HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the HSE Community Psychology Service (PCCC) and a local primary school. The project engaged children in an artistic process over eight weeks, one session per week.

The book shares each child’s individual story and their experiences of what helped and supported them. It provides an essential resource for other children, parents and healthcare practitioners who are interested in understanding and supporting children’s mental health.

Read book online for free here

Page from Bouncing Away - children's mental health book
Page from Bouncing Away - children's mental health book
Page from Bouncing Away - children's mental health book

‘I really enjoyed reading this book. I found that it was very helpful if I ever feel one of these emotions. I thought that the illustrations were very expressive. For example, if there were a few quotes about anger, there would be scribbles that you could see were meant to express a child’s anger.’

– Book review by Juliana, age 11

‘The idea for this book grew from our interest in how children experience and cope with different life events. Oftentimes, there is a mismatch between how parents/adults think children experience the ups and downs of life, and how children actually feel and cope in different situations.

— Dr. Marian Duggan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, HSE Community Psychology Service, Sligo/Leitrim/W Cavan

‘I found the parts where the children mention their pets easy to relate to. The children expressed love and comfort from the pets, as a dog owner I empathised with this. I found the drawings and writing complemented each other, making the story more visual and captivating.’

– Book review by Éabha, age 12

It’s 40 pages are a precious repository of honest emotion and wisdom from children who haven’t yet left primary school.

— Helen O’Callaghan, Irish Examiner

‘It made me realise that on the outside all kids may look very different but on the inside we all feel the same. Big, small, tall, short, skinny, fat, it doesn’t matter, we all share the same emotions of fear, anger and joy.’

– Book review by Michael, age 11

‘This book is based on our belief that children are the best authors of their own experiences. Our hope is that this book will open a dialogue between children and significant adults around their feelings, and around positive mental health. It is also hoped that other children who read this book may learn strategies to cope with situations that are difficult for them.’

— Dr. Marian Duggan, Senior Clinical Psychologist, HSE Community Psychology Service, Sligo/Leitrim/W Cavan

Additional Info

‘Bouncing Away’ is published by Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership in partnership with HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the HSE Community Psychology Service (PCCC).

A Kids’ Own Publication
1st Edition (2015)

Paperback: 48 pages, full colour
Weight: 0.268kg
ISBN: 9781902432557

100% of proceeds support children’s participation in the arts.

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