Coen, a young Indigenous Australian boy, is having a blue kind of day. From the opening illustration, created digitally with blue and purple tones, Coen and his stuffed koala bear are slumped and sad in bed. Progressive scenes show Coen struggling with symptoms of depression and a desire to crawl back into bed. Initially, his multiracial racial family members (Indigenous/white) each try to pull Coen out of his dark mood, but eventually respond to his need for quiet support and comfort. With time, Coen emerges from his blanket cocoon to engage with his sister and parent on his terms. This relatable book about feelings, illustrated by an Indigenous Australian, also includes an author’s note about depression and emotional distress in children. (Ages 4-8)

A moving picture book debut about depression, sensory awareness, and the power of listening, from psychologist and author of Teaching Kids to be Kind.

Coen is having a sniffling, sighing, sobbing kind of day.

His family thinks they know how to cheer him up. His dad wants to go outside and play, Mom tells her funniest joke, and his little sister shares her favorite teddy. Nothing helps. But one by one, they get quiet and begin to listen. After some time, space, and reassurance, Coen is able to show them what he needs.

With poignant text and stunning illustrations, A Blue Kind of Day explores how depression might feel in the body and shows us how to support the people we love with patience, care, and empathy.