Dark Cloud

by Anna Lazowski, Penny Neville-Lee (Illustrations)

Written with compassion and care, a thoughtful story about a little girl who visualizes her depression as a way of learning to cope.

Abigail has a dark cloud. It follows her everywhere. It can be a ball of worries, a swirl of fog or a long shadow. But it's always with her, getting in the way of things. Her dark cloud makes the other children distant and messes with her grand jeté during ballet class. It even takes away her appetite for birthday cake. Then one day, Abigail begins to figure some things out about her dark cloud. Like how it's not always the same size. How she can trap it in a sandcastle at the beach. And how, sometimes, she can even step away from it and feel the sunshine on her skin.

In this sensitive picture book, symbolic imagery perfectly captures how depression can look and feel. Anna Lazowski's lyrical text together with Penny Neville-Lee's expressive drawings provide young children with a way to understand and talk about their own feelings. The repetition in the text and the visual narrative pull readers in, making this an excellent read-aloud pick to spark discussions about feelings. Neville-Lee's art uses soft, muted colors, with lightness and color gradually added as Abigail moves from feeling overwhelmed by her depression to learning how to live with it and even find relief from it. Reviewed by a child psychologist, this book is a great choice for teaching social-emotional learning, critical thinking and character education lessons on perseverance and resilience.

Genres: Picture Books, Mental Health, Childrens, Fiction, Emotion, Canada, Mental Illness

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A lovely picture book highlighting to little ones how they can cope with the ‘dark cloud’ of depression.


Abigail, our lead character, has a dark cloud that follows her everywhere. It changes form at times, turning into a fog or a shadow, but it never leaves her alone. One day, Abigail understands that while she cannot get rid of the cloud, there are certain things she can do to reduce its influence on her life. This way, she can step away from its darkness and experience the bright sunshine.

Through the lovely metaphor of a dark cloud, the book highlights how depression can make everything in our life seem gloomy and dull. However, if we learn to accept that we have the cloud over our head, we can be better prepared to face it and even overpower it. Children can thus understand that having a cloud over their happy emotions isn’t something to be ignored but to be acknowledged, discussed, and sorted out.

Abigail’s dad has an important role to play in the plot, and I am glad at how this highlights the importance of seeking help. Kids find talking about emotions difficult, but it is so helpful to have a supportive listening ear when you need one. Of course, the support may not always come from within families. The author’s parting note highlights some simple beginners steps towards discussion of emotional issues, and also provides helpline numbers for USA, UK & Canada.

Another thing I loved was how the dark cloud doesn’t disappear from Abigail’s life as the story goes on. It is just that she understands better how to deal with it.. This is so important for children to understand about mental health issues – there is no magic solution that will pop away your troubles. It is a slow and constant process, and the results take time, but if you invest the efforts, there is a rainbow at the end of the dark cloud.

That said, the book would serve more as a discussion starter than as a remedy. The topic of depression is too deep for little minds, and I hope this book will be utilised not just by children but also by parents/teachers/guardians to encourage little ones to understand mental health and seek/provide help if needed.

One part that isn’t mentioned in the text but covered nicely by the illustrations is how Abigail’s dark cloud persisted even in the presence of her friends. So the solution usually provided by caregivers when kids feel gloomy – ‘Go play with your friends!’ – isn’t a magical remedy, and the book thus highlights how it is possible to be depressed even when you are amid company.

The content is written in simple prose, with about 4 lines per page, thereby not overwhelming little ones.

The illustrations match the pulse of the book every step of the way. Abigail’s resigned expression under the dark cloud is matched by B&W illustrations, and when she accepts her mental issues and steps into the ‘sunshine’, the colours become multihued and vivid.

Definitely recommended as this book shows how to embrace your depression rather than ignoring it or being overburdened by it.

4.25 stars.


My thanks to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Dark Cloud”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thanks to my GR friend Chantel, whose lovely review led me to try this book. Do read her review as well.



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[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for my toddler's bedtime. From the story, it's hard for kids and even me to understand the meaning of the story because the girl didn't say she's feeling sad and why. Honestly, I had to read the author's note to understand the meaning of the book. Maybe just me.

The story followed Abigail. One day, the dark cloud just appeared and it followed her everywhere. Her surroundings became black and white. Her classmates didn't want to play with her. She had trouble practicing her ballet routine. She didn't feel excited at her birthday party. Then another boy sat next to Abigail at the park and he must've been experiencing the same as her because he didn't say anything. Later, she finally had an idea on how to get rid of her dark cloud. After, she began to see colors.

Thank you Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book tells the story of a girl named Abigail who is suffering from depression. Throughout the story, dark clouds or shadows symbolize the depression that follows Abigail everywhere. The illustrations are dark, in the grey scale for most of the book, until the ending when there are flowers as she is able to break through. I really like that this book normalizes and explains depression in a way that young children can understand.I like that it shows that you can get through it, but that it can also feel never-ending at times. I kind of wish there had been more discussion about how the child could get help. Unfortunately, depression and other mental illnesses are becoming more common in younger children, and so books like this are so important. In adult books about depression, there would be advice like speak to your doctor, here's a number for a therapist etc. and while there is a message from the author at the end, I would have liked to see Abigail speaking about her depression with her parents or other safe adults, visiting a doctor or therapist etc just because while normalizing it is great and important, I think that including information right in the story about how you can get help would be a good message to include. Otherwise, great book, and I would definitely recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how this book has resonated with me [as I sat ugly crying at 5:30am when I was reading it]. I am a Wednesday child, full of "woe" from almost birth and have struggled with this my whole life. I was 5ish when I realized I had "a cloud" [though I had no words to describe what I was feeling, everyone else quickly labeled me as "sensitive and moody", two monikers that have stuck for years] and about 7 when I first thought about dying and how it would better over-all if I wasn't around [such huge feelings for such a young child to have]. I would have LOVED to have had a book like this that would have 1. made me realize that what I was dealing with was okay [in the sense that a lot of people struggle, even as kids] and 2. it would have helped me tell an adult exactly what I was thinking and feeling and that I needed help [alas, I have never been able to get help and still struggle daily]. It would have been glorious and I am so glad that something that is so profound has been written for littles - I truly believe this book will make a difference in lives.

This is a very timely and MUCH NEEDED book. Every parent, care-giver, auntie, uncle, grandparent, teacher needs to be reading this book, both for themselves and then to the littles that they have in their lives. This will start important conversations that will help save lives and help littles see that Dark Clouds are okay, getting help is even more okay and that it often clears and you can have glorious, colorful days [I can attest to this]. I highly recommend this and will myself read it again, especially on dark days where it seems there is no color around. VERY well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Lazowski, Penny Neville-Lee: Illustrator, and Kids Can Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel for this book so freaking much!
I can totally understand how and why this story exists, will live to tell the stories of many young people who are with mental health issues.

This is such a wonderful way of representing what we go through. Depression doesn’t choose anyone to become depressed. The illustrations exactly demonstrates this. Let’s not put in a box why and how depression happens to anyone.

The first step anyone can help is to accept it and let the ones who are affected with depression, especially the younger ones, understand and be aware that there are ways to talk about it and let them know that they aren’t doing anything wrong.

I can express so less in words what I felt while reading this book.

If you love the work of Debbie Tung, you will love this one. They have similar presentation and artstyle with similar themes.

Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Cloud is a book about a little girl named Abigail and her big feelings. In this book Abigail describes a dark cloud that often follows her throughout her day. This looming cloud makes it hard for Abigail to make friends, feel confident in hobbies, and enjoy every day life activities. One day her dad notices her dark cloud and comforts Abigail, as he too at times is followed by a dark cloud of his own. Towards the end of the book Abigail notices that this cloud isn’t always the same size, and that she can some times even leave the dark cloud behind. Though the cloud is never named with a specific feeling in the story, it is evident that Abigail is living with the dark cloud of depression. This is a great book to read to young children who may suffer from big feelings and I would recommend it for adults who have children that may have a similar struggle.

[Marla Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

well, I’m not a child so I like that and understand it

[Magalys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it's a children's book but 20 year old me could've used this. Thanks to #netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Cloud
4.5 Stars without text
3 Stars with text

To be clear, I think the book synopsis does a much better job explaining the black cloud as depression than the text inside the book. Though I never read blurbs during story time. So, I excluded it.

To be honest, I preferred this book with no text at all. It is a visual masterpiece. The text wasn't direct. It's vague, and at times confusing. The author does not state what the Dark Cloud represents to Abigail throughout this story. Leaving it up for interpretation, which requires more executive function skills. Speaking from experience, my daughter does not do well with vagueness. Children with ADHD or on the spectrum will find this book challenging. So, I did a flip-through without the text.

I think the illustrator did a fabulous job with their use of color; it represents vibrant life, while artists' use of black and white represents sadness or depression. I like how the darkness is not always the same size. As the story progresses, it teaches the reader how both light and darkness can co-exist together. On good days, Abigail is covered in sunshine, and gives the reader hope of balance will be found.

This is an excellent book for educational purposes, and to address a difficult topic. So, I'd recommend this for parents, teachers, counselors, and nurses serving the youth's behavioral health. But not my first choice for parents that may not be prepared to answer hard questions.


Thank you, NetGalley and Kids Can Press , for an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The picture book Dark Cloud by Anna Lazowski and illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee (Kids Can Press, May 2023) introduces children to the concept of dark emotions (sadness and depression) with the symbol of a dark cloud. With tinted grayscale illustrations representing sad moments and bright colors showing moments of happiness and understanding, Dark Cloud provides a unique format for parents and children to discuss these hard-to-deal-with feelings.

This analogy of the cloud is a common metaphor for the challenges of depression. Although in the first pages of the book Abigail doesn’t seem to have any respite from the dark cloud (represented by a scribble above her head as well as the muted grayscale), as her father begins to see her issues and as Abigail learns to deal with the dark cloud, we see splashes of color begin to appear.

The yellow in the polka-dot hair bow that her father puts in her hair. A bit of blue in a picture book, as she sits in the library (the ever-present cloud above her). The bright green ice cream on her cone as we see her walk away from her cloud “trapped” in the sand castle. And, finally, a rainbow garden of colors as she and her family visit a garden.

This book seems like a great option for early discussions around these very real sometimes inexplicable feelings.

(Complete review at my blog, Rebecca Reads)

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Cloud by Anna Lazowski and Penny Neville-Lee is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book that explores the topic of depression in a sensitive and thoughtful way. The story follows Abigail, a little girl who has a dark cloud that follows her everywhere, getting in the way of things and making her feel distant from other children.

The use of symbolic imagery in the text and illustrations perfectly captures the way depression can look and feel. The repetition in the text and the visual narrative is engaging and pulls young readers into the story, making it an excellent read-aloud pick to spark discussions about feelings.

The gradual addition of lightness and color to the illustrations as Abigail learns to cope with her dark cloud is a powerful visual representation of the journey toward relief from depression. The book is reviewed by a child psychologist and is an excellent choice for teaching social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and character education lessons on perseverance and resilience.

Overall, Dark Cloud is a compassionate and caring story that provides young children with a way to understand and talk about their own feelings. It is a must-read for parents, educators, and caregivers who want to help children build emotional resilience and cope with difficult emotions.

I would love a physical copy.

[Jessica Kluthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent, I find that there are some topics that are difficult to initiate a conversation about — but picture books like this one create the space to ask questions, to think through big topics in a safe space, to let us feel, and simply put, do so much of the heavy lifting. I am grateful for this book.

Dark Cloud demonstrates the power of text and illustration to work together to bring understanding to a complex topic. This book does so expertly with clear descriptions and a deliberate use of grey tones and colour.

Dark Cloud is a book about depression — not just the hills and valleys of emotions, but something heavier which we see as a dark cloud over Abigail, a ball of worries following her, a swirl of fog wrapped around her, a long shadow, tangled thoughts, a flutter of butterflies… All clearly depicted to help a young reader grasp what Abigail is experiencing.

The book, with its increased use of colour as the story goes on, infused with bright florals and the majestic orange and black monarch, shows that even if Abigail’s dark cloud does not dissipate, she can feel “sunshine on her skin” — and sit together in understanding with others (including her dad and a friend). She is not alone.

Inspired by the hope this book demonstrates through the bright flowers, we used loose parts to make our own garden.

This is an important book. Talking about mental health is so essential, and this book offers a way in.

Thank you to Kids Can Press for gifting this book to my family.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Abigail has a dark cloud. It follows her all around and sometimes it tangles her thoughts. The cloud is always with her, but some people close to her are there to lend a hand and be a friend. Even though Abigail never gets rid of her cloud, she learns to live with it and find the beauty that is still around her.

I thought this book was a good illustration of depression. I think we sometimes forget that children can deal with depression too, and it can be a hard thing to recognize and discuss. The book made for a good illustration of how it can feel and look and I felt like it could help lead to a discussion about more difficult emotions.

This book is being published 5/2/23

[Anitra Rowe Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dark Cloud" is a picture book about a girl named Abigail, who feels underneath a sad feeling that won't leave her alone. No matter where she goes, the cloud follows - making "everything damp." It follows her to school and ballet and even to dinner, where it takes "away her appetite." As the cloud continues to follow Abigail, it begins to feel "a bit familiar" and she recognizes that other people in her life have cloudy days, too. Evocative text and imaginative illustrations personify dark feelings, making depression less abstract and more tangible, allowing readers to recognize their own emotions and forge pathways forward that acknowledge dark clouds as real things that can sometimes grow, sometimes shrink, and always be lived through with help and friendship.

[Alissa Manning-Telisak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love most about this book is that it tells kids it's okay to not be okay. So many children are dealing with anxiety and depression and this book is a lovely way to talk about how we are feeling. This is a story about perseverance in a way that a child can relate. The illustrations prove to be very powerful make a statement on their own.

As a mom, I love this book. But as a teacher, I LOVE this book! Reading social/emotional texts with my students always leads to powerful discussions. This is a must buy for any elementary school educator or therapist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for an advanced readers copy!

[Amberlea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, and sensitively written book that deals with childhood depression, a difficult, and often dismissed subject. The book gently addresses the variety of forms the feeling takes for the protagonist, Abigail: a cloud, a fog, a ball of worries, a shadow, a tangle of thoughts - which will give young readers and their caregivers many ways into the big subject of how to label and talk about one's feelings. The sweet illustrations by Penny Neville-Lee joyfully show Abigail's world returning to colour as she learns to live with, feel, and manage her painful emotions. I think this is an excellent resource and highly recommend it!

[Patti Ranson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is never gone for long. It may change, but it always comes back. A dark cloud one day, a ball of worries or a swirl of fog the next. Sadness/depression follows Abigail everywhere, including ballet class and even her own birthday party. The reader learns that this thing is a big deal, but Abigail shows how she finds reprieve, not all the time, but enough to feel some control and happiness in her life.
A great book to share with any child, helping them to understand possibly themselves and others around them.
I get it.

[Brigita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depression is a heavy topic, particularly for children. Lazowski offers a great tool with Dark Cloud to start conversations about it, to explain how emotions are important and how we experience them differently. The books is particularly good for educational purposes.
The illustrations do a great job of creating an atmosphere that relates Abigail's feelings; sometimes they are actually more straightforward than the text itself.

[Karalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a girl who has a dark cloud that follows her everywhere representing depression. I wish it went into more detail about how it affects your life but this is a great book to start a conversation with your children on this heavy subject. I liked how when she would have good days the pages were more colorful.

I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

[Jennifer Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this. The writing is fantastic, evocative and gentle. The illustrations are complementary, at times grey. The resolution isn’t pat, as in “everything is solved”—rather it highlights resilience and strategies. When we get the recognition that some days just are grey, that’s when the images blossom with vibrant colours. In this way, knowledge is the resolution, and something to celebrate. Children will appreciate seeing their emotions represented in concrete ways.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children can struggle with anxiety and depression too, and it's important for adults to acknowledge that. I can relate to Abigail and I think many people who have experienced a "tangle of worries" or a "dark cloud" in their lives can as well. I liked that this book presented a more nuanced view of emotions rather than the simple "don't worry!" or "cheer up!" message that pervades many picture books (and is not helpful, unless the negative emotion is truly just a minor inconvenience).

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking for picture books with a SEL theme that are well-written and most likely will be well-received by my students. This book tells the story of Abigail who had a dark cloud appear and ends with her receiving support by someone sitting beside her on the bench and her dad taking her hand and letting her know he has cloudy days as well. Overall, a lovely book that addresses an important topic for today's children. Two thumbs up for this book!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about childhood depression. Our main character has a dark cloud that is with them most of the time, and that is OK. What is important, is that those around them know it exists and it’s part of who they are. This book doesn’t sugarcoat or try to turn that dark cloud into anything else but realizes that there are good days and bad days. Depression does happen in kids, and it needs to be acknowledged.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem for helping kids understand and talk about depression. The story uses beautiful, soft illustrations to show how a little girl deals with her dark cloud. It’s simple yet powerful, making it easy for children to grasp their feelings. This book gently introduces the concept of mental health without being overwhelming. It’s a fantastic resource for parents and teachers to help kids open up about their emotions. The gradual addition of color in the illustrations as Abigail learns to cope is a nice touch. Definitely a must-read for families, especially if their kids struggle with worries.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great way to talk about, complicated feelings, sadness, and depression. I don't feel like the book covers the full range of feelings that display if someone is depressed, for example, but I think the book is a good starting point for a conversation. My favorite scene is when Abigail hugs her dark cloud.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Oh how I wish this book was around 35 years ago when I felt alone.

Great way to communicate with simple language a feeling that is heaving and very hard.

This book is a great tool to help explain a feeling

[Brooke Eubanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and hopeful depiction of childhood depression and sadness. This would give language and belonging to any child feeling that overwhelm. The illustrations were diverse and mirrored the emotion well. I’m glad I reached for this one on my journey of finding inclusive and contemporary picture books. And I am certainly partial because she finds joy in the library and pistachio ice cream. : )

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just appeared the day and wouldn’t go away. Even when it seemed to be gone it was just waiting. But when Dad grabs Abigail’s hand she knows Dad is there for her. Such a powerful book read and share!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a girl dealing with her darker emotions. I like how they don't magically go away, she instead learns to accept and live around them. The artwork compliments the story, starting mostly black and white and muted colors, adding in more bursts of color as the story goes.

[Jennifer H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at sadness and depression, this is an important addition to elementary collections. Thanks do the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title.