My dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever

Written by Dr Monika Schott

Illustrated by Kymba Burrows

ISBN 978-0-6454754-4-9

“As a parent, I wish I had this book many years ago…” Professor Pat McGorry AO, Orygen

“Your book is beautiful. So gentle and considerate, honest and touching. Very heartfelt...” Joanne

This timely and compassionate story is about a child and father setting out to build a cubbyhouse under streaming sunshine.

Until clouds snake in on a hazing horizon… skies swell, a clouding storm brews and finally breaks and swirls into pouring rains and eventually subsides. All the while, the cubby grows wackier, with the rustiest of riches that rattle and rule!

This is all a metaphor for the father’s mental ill health that gently aligns with the building of the cubby and changing emotions and weather.

Mental ill health can be a challenge to understand because we can’t ‘see’ anything wrong or broken with the brain. Dr. Schott's warm-hearted story with full colour illustrations helps give some understanding through the eyes of a child building a cubby with its father.

The chapter book is ideal for 5-12 year olds and comes with teacher resources to support student learning, journaling pages for students to express feelings and thoughts, illustrated prompts and a list of resources for carers, health professionals and families to draw upon.

Click HERE for a sneak peek inside the book.

Click HERE to order the e-book

Click for TEACHERS AND PARENTS RESOURCES

For discounts on orders of six or more books, please contact wackiestcubby@gmail.com

“There is still a lot of stigma around mental illness but things are definitely getting better. Twenty years ago, we wouldn’t have seen a book like this. But every one of us will have somebody in our family that will suffer from periods of poor mental health, and Monika’s book is a way for younger children to learn about mental illness in a very optimistic and positive way…” Professor Pat McGorry AO, Orygen

“What a wonderful read!!!! I absolutely loved the connection you made to the volcano experiment…” Andi

“An emotional narrative of childhood and parenting shuttles readers through trepidatious waters in Schott’s own literary lifeboat...” Meg

“It’s so gorgeous, I love the patience and understanding of Mum and how slowly Dad lifts the blinds to let the sun in. And I love the activities and references at the end of the book...” Susi

“A beautiful extended metaphor that gently walks the reader through the experience of suffering ill mental health... but also a simmering hope that is ever-present…” Kayla

“A powerful and insightful story about the true nature of mental health, and the impact on families…” Nicole

“The power of magical storytelling… a fantastic way to educate our young children on Mental Health and Wellbeing…” Bobby

“This is a timely book that explores mental health, sensitively and with understanding...” Diane