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Meh
Sadness is an emotion that everyone feels at some time or another. But sometimes you might feel a sadness so long and so deep and dark that it seems impossible to find happiness. That kind of sadness is called depression. Meh is a wordless picture book about one boy's journey through depression. Discussion questions at the back of the book are intended for parents or teachers to discuss depression with children.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 22, 2021
This book was meh.
July 17, 2015
It doesn't have any words, but Meh is a beautiful visual journey through depression. It provides a great way to introduce mental health issues to children from a young age.
It's an amazing use of color and texture to compare to show mental state. Very cool visually.
It's an amazing use of color and texture to compare to show mental state. Very cool visually.
September 20, 2022
I liked: the wordless picture book aspect. That's all.
The book was too vague. It felt like the author was trying to cover all the possibilities for depression, trying to give hope, but it came across as pulling yourself out of your slump with a nice big roar, and everything will be fine. That's just... not true. Maybe I'm reading with old eyes, and it's a fine first-look at depression for young kids, but the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is - in my opinion - never a good way to present the depression discussion, even to small kids.
rating: g
recommend: I ... don't. not really. There are better options out there.
The book was too vague. It felt like the author was trying to cover all the possibilities for depression, trying to give hope, but it came across as pulling yourself out of your slump with a nice big roar, and everything will be fine. That's just... not true. Maybe I'm reading with old eyes, and it's a fine first-look at depression for young kids, but the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is - in my opinion - never a good way to present the depression discussion, even to small kids.
rating: g
recommend: I ... don't. not really. There are better options out there.
February 25, 2018
WORDLESS BOOK #1:
Meh: a Story about Depression is a realistic fiction book written by Deborah Malcolm. The reason this book is considered a realistic fiction because it is a story that uses made up characters but could happen in real life. This book would be great for primary and intermediate readers, because it focuses on a heavy topic as depression but teaches children through pictures which is why I think it would be great for both.
TEXT TO SELF: This book reminds me of myself for many reasons. As I was learning English I oftentimes felt angry and I'm sure that without knowing I was a bit depressed because my life felt grey and black. By the end of first grade, I had made no progress with my language acquisition and was then forced to repeat 1st grade. That only made me feel like I was in a hole in which I would not be able to climb out of as the main character in book felt. I had lost all my friends, they had left to become 2nd graders while I was left behind, I was alone and hopeless. I know I would have loved to read through this book back then.
TEXT TO TEXT: Meh reminded me of Alice in wonderland. Like in Alice in wonderland the main character falls into a black hole and that is where their journey begins. both characters experience strange things but eventually find their way out. Both books have illustrations that do a fantastic job taking the readers along on their journeys. For example when the “gloom” arrives in "Meh" we can feel the mood change we share the boy’s emotions as he moves through the black and gray pages of depression. Same goes for Alice, the pages go from bark to bright depending on the situation in which she is in.
TEXT TO WORLD: Most people think of depression as something that just affects adults. But kids can experience it to. They learn to hide it, just like adults do, not wanting anyone to know how they feel. Just like the boy in the story, children oftentimes feel alone and hopeless. Adults such as parents and teachers, should pay special attention to kids who are having trouble concentrating, or are keeping to themselves, or are otherwise acting differently than they normally do. These kids may be experiencing depression. Depression is a real problem for anyone and this book does a great job of bringing attention to that problem.
Meh: a Story about Depression is a realistic fiction book written by Deborah Malcolm. The reason this book is considered a realistic fiction because it is a story that uses made up characters but could happen in real life. This book would be great for primary and intermediate readers, because it focuses on a heavy topic as depression but teaches children through pictures which is why I think it would be great for both.
TEXT TO SELF: This book reminds me of myself for many reasons. As I was learning English I oftentimes felt angry and I'm sure that without knowing I was a bit depressed because my life felt grey and black. By the end of first grade, I had made no progress with my language acquisition and was then forced to repeat 1st grade. That only made me feel like I was in a hole in which I would not be able to climb out of as the main character in book felt. I had lost all my friends, they had left to become 2nd graders while I was left behind, I was alone and hopeless. I know I would have loved to read through this book back then.
TEXT TO TEXT: Meh reminded me of Alice in wonderland. Like in Alice in wonderland the main character falls into a black hole and that is where their journey begins. both characters experience strange things but eventually find their way out. Both books have illustrations that do a fantastic job taking the readers along on their journeys. For example when the “gloom” arrives in "Meh" we can feel the mood change we share the boy’s emotions as he moves through the black and gray pages of depression. Same goes for Alice, the pages go from bark to bright depending on the situation in which she is in.
TEXT TO WORLD: Most people think of depression as something that just affects adults. But kids can experience it to. They learn to hide it, just like adults do, not wanting anyone to know how they feel. Just like the boy in the story, children oftentimes feel alone and hopeless. Adults such as parents and teachers, should pay special attention to kids who are having trouble concentrating, or are keeping to themselves, or are otherwise acting differently than they normally do. These kids may be experiencing depression. Depression is a real problem for anyone and this book does a great job of bringing attention to that problem.
Read
October 22, 2017- 32 pages
- Age range: 6-10
- Publisher: thunderstone books
- Wordless story
- Invites the reader to think, reflect and interpret: children can personalise it depending on their own interpretation
- Visual narrative tells the story
- Includes discussion points at the back of the book to help encourage communication with parents, teachers and children
- Illustrations are very thought provoking, colours tend to consist of dark colours such as blacks, greys, etc
- Age range: 6-10
- Publisher: thunderstone books
- Wordless story
- Invites the reader to think, reflect and interpret: children can personalise it depending on their own interpretation
- Visual narrative tells the story
- Includes discussion points at the back of the book to help encourage communication with parents, teachers and children
- Illustrations are very thought provoking, colours tend to consist of dark colours such as blacks, greys, etc
October 24, 2023
Thank you, Deborah Malcolm, for this brilliant picture book!
Recommended for everyone - from young children to adults.
[(c) Deborah Malcolm, 2015]
What would you do when sadness takes over and you are pushed into that dark abyss?
This wonderful book is the story of Meh, about a young boy who is sucked into darkness and how his spirit animal guides him back into the light. It reminded of the Patronus from Harry Potter.
[(c) Deborah Malcolm, 2015]
The story of Meh reiterates that we all have that spirit inside, which when embraced and trusted can pull us back even from the deepest of the dark holes. When it becomes and feels impossible to come out, it is totally alright to speak out and ask for help.
When sadness stays for a longer time, feels very difficult to find happiness, and is not affecting daily life then this kind of sadness is called Depression. This does not mean something is wrong or bad with you. It is alright to discuss this with your loved ones or trusted friends.
If you are feeling depressed, want to talk to someone anonymous, DO NOT HESITATE and please call your local support lines. The people handling these helplines won't judge you, and could guide you to make sense of the feelings you are having:
United Kingdom: Samaritans 24/7 Call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org
United States: Call 24/7 - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text MHA to 741741
India: Kiran 24/7 1800-599-0019
Recommended for everyone - from young children to adults.
[(c) Deborah Malcolm, 2015]
What would you do when sadness takes over and you are pushed into that dark abyss?
This wonderful book is the story of Meh, about a young boy who is sucked into darkness and how his spirit animal guides him back into the light. It reminded of the Patronus from Harry Potter.
[(c) Deborah Malcolm, 2015]
The story of Meh reiterates that we all have that spirit inside, which when embraced and trusted can pull us back even from the deepest of the dark holes. When it becomes and feels impossible to come out, it is totally alright to speak out and ask for help.
When sadness stays for a longer time, feels very difficult to find happiness, and is not affecting daily life then this kind of sadness is called Depression. This does not mean something is wrong or bad with you. It is alright to discuss this with your loved ones or trusted friends.
If you are feeling depressed, want to talk to someone anonymous, DO NOT HESITATE and please call your local support lines. The people handling these helplines won't judge you, and could guide you to make sense of the feelings you are having:
United Kingdom: Samaritans 24/7 Call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org
United States: Call 24/7 - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text MHA to 741741
India: Kiran 24/7 1800-599-0019
June 10, 2018
Meh: A story about depression is a wordless realistic fiction picture book that touches the feelings of sadness and depression in a way that I think would be suitable for the younger aged children. The main character gets sucked into a ‘darkness’ and needs help finding their way out. I also think that this would be a great book for learning self awareness and developing empathy skills. This book also really allows the students to be detectives and figure out what's going on without it literally spelt out right in front of them.
February 12, 2019
Since it was a wordless book, I recommend it to children of all ages, and to adults trying to explain their depression to a younger audience. I am grateful that books like these are being written for younger folk, because that's how we can erase the stigma of mental illness - through awareness and empathy.
October 30, 2020
The illustrations in this book not only correspond to the words on the pages, but enhances it making the story more interesting and comprehendible. Depression is a hard subject. Its a subject that not even adults want to talk about. Through the pictures and words, it teaches children about depression in a way that they can understand. Mental health is a taboo but important subject that everyone should know about. The author came up with a unique way to start teaching them at a young age. IT also teaches them that is okay to feel this way. This book would fall under realistic fiction.
February 13, 2018
In this wordless picture book, the main character of the story gets sucked into the darkness and needs to find a way out.
The wordless pages help make this book a great talking piece as the readers work to determine what is going on.
The wordless pages help make this book a great talking piece as the readers work to determine what is going on.
Read
April 28, 2022This is a wordless picture book that shows what depression looks like. this is a book I think I would share with older students maybe the 6th Grade level ad older. many teens struggle with depression and this book shows that its okay to struggle but it doesn't mean that one day you can't be happy.
April 11, 2023
This is a fantastic wordless picture book about one boy's experience through depression. There are so many things I can think of to do with this story and I would love to hear students discuss and analyze it. This may be one that you will want to order multiple copies.
May 14, 2019
An extremely QUICK book with a total of approx (1) word in total! Haha but the illustrations are really clever and I thought it tackled a good topic in an easily digestible way.
August 18, 2021
Completely wordless. Great for kids (and adults) of all ages for a wonderful visual description of anxiety/depression. The downside is that I think it could've been longer!
December 31, 2021
Better tool than literature.
April 18, 2022
3.5 stars
September 4, 2025
This book feels like such an easily approachable way to discuss depression even with young children. Great read!
December 23, 2025
A beautiful depiction of depression in a book with no words. It doesn't need.
March 16, 2017
It's hard to review a book with no words, but I'm going to try.
This is a story told in pictures. It tells how suddenly it can sneak up on you, how alone it will make you feel and how you have the power to dig yourself out of it. Huh, and all without words.
There is some study-guide like material at the back to help discussion and can be used to help children deal with their own depression (but if it's serious, do seek professional help).
This is a story told in pictures. It tells how suddenly it can sneak up on you, how alone it will make you feel and how you have the power to dig yourself out of it. Huh, and all without words.
There is some study-guide like material at the back to help discussion and can be used to help children deal with their own depression (but if it's serious, do seek professional help).
March 11, 2017
2.5 stars. I received a free copy of this book through Good Reads Giveaways. I was surprised to see this book had no words. My 9 year old made a storyline as she looked at the pictures that was interesting to listen to, but this book didn't start the dialogue I was hoping it would surrounding depression.
September 16, 2015
When I was asked to consider this book for review, the cute white cat got pointed out to me as a feature of the story I may like. I thought so too, and the cat is adorable! I love the way the little white paw prints appear in some scenes, and how slowly the cat brings the nameless boy (no words in the story) out of his depression. This is a brilliant book which doesn't need words – it's up to the reader (especially if they have someone older with them) to figure out what's going on, and it means they can pretend to be the nameless character more than if he had a name (although if he was a girl that would be ace!).
He struggles in life, and finds a turning point when the cute white cat first appears, and then takes a more prominent place in his life. Depression is accurately depicted. It's important for younger readers to have Meh because it explains clearly what they or their friends may be feeling, and how there is hope for them to be happier again.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
He struggles in life, and finds a turning point when the cute white cat first appears, and then takes a more prominent place in his life. Depression is accurately depicted. It's important for younger readers to have Meh because it explains clearly what they or their friends may be feeling, and how there is hope for them to be happier again.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
August 25, 2015
Love how this book invites the reader to quietly think, reflect and interpret. The visual narrative alone tells the tale (there are no words in the story) . It's an excellent tool for supporting emotional literacy, self awareness and empathy skills.
Read more of my review on my blogpost here: http://missusbspicturebookreviews.blo...
Read more of my review on my blogpost here: http://missusbspicturebookreviews.blo...
November 10, 2015
I love that this book has no words but beautiful illustrations because it allows the reader to draw conclusions about an illness that is so personal and so different for everyone. The questions in the back of the book are great for discussing with your kids or students.
July 23, 2016
Wonderful tool for talking to children about depression - whether it is they who are feeling it or someone they Know or love. It doesn't tell them what to think, but gives them some insight.
February 11, 2016
Beautiful expressive and the questions at the end for people to ask and discuss with adults and children is wonderful.
May 26, 2018
Loved the illustrations but felt it could have gone a bit deeper into depression.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews