The Very Bad Thing
A Story of Recovery from Trauma
By: Elizabeth Mary Cummings, Melissa Salvarani (Illustrator)
Published: March 2020
The story of recovery from a traumatic event. The Very Bad Thing happened on a bright sunny day. In this picture book, with the sea as a metaphor, a young boy navigates through a terrible storm as he deals with this trauma.
$16.99
Description
The Very Bad Thing
A Story of Recovery from Trauma
By: Elizabeth Mary Cummings, Melissa Salvarani (Illustrator)
The story of recovery from a traumatic event. The Very Bad Thing happened on a bright sunny day. In this picture book, with the sea as a metaphor, a young boy navigates through a terrible storm as he deals with this trauma. Feeling alone and cut off from everyone he keeps going trying to get through. He can see there is a place of safety where the Very Bad Thing can not touch him but he struggles to go on and he can’t go back. He finds the strength to call for Help and Help appears, steady and strong, providing the support he needs to face the trauma and move to a life of safety and peace beyond it.
Additional information
| Format | Paperback |
|---|
Elizabeth has written a very real descriptive of hardship and provides the young reader with hope after dealing with trauma.
In The Very Bad Thing we are taken on a journey of despair followed by ultimate calm. The calm is brought forth through the friendship and support of another.
Through the work of the ‘R U OK?’ organisation we know that the support of another or many others during traumatic or disruptive periods in life is key to recovery and mental well-being. It is also evident that we teach our youth (from a young age) to know that reaching out is extremely important in the road to recovery. There is no shame in asking for help and love and support.
Conversely the book teaches us to be aware of those that might need some love and support during a tough period. That’s what we must teach them. Thus Elizabeth’s example in this story is very on point and current for the times in which we live. Difficulties arise.
Whatever that may be can be frightening for some.
We must support one another.
We must ask for help.
In this book children are given permission to do both. It is a brilliant and sensitive example of how that very thing, connection can heal.
Maryanne Larkin