“As a parent, I wish I had this book many years ago…” ~ Professor Pat McGorry AO
A child and father 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. All the while, the cubby grows wackier, with the rustiest of riches that rattle and rule!
This is all a metaphor where the father’s mental ill health aligns with the building of the cubby and changing weather. With love and support, the father recovers and the storm subsides to streaking sunbeams, where hope and magic never go away and are only sometimes covered over.
Dr Monika Schott is a writer and researcher who released a literary nonfiction book, The faraway land of the house and two cows. More information and teachers’ resources can be found at www.monikaschott.com
A timely and compassionate story 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 weather.
“As a parent, I wish I had this book many years ago. 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.” ~ Professor Pat McGorry AO
“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
“The power of magical storytelling… a fantastic way to educate our young children on Mental Health and Wellbeing…” Bobby
AVAILABLE NOW!
Colour Paperback | Black & White Paperback | eBook
From Monika’s Webshop: https://www.monikaschott.com/monika-schott
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/built-best-wackiest-cubby-ever/
Lulu: https://www.lulu.com/DrMonikaSchott
Many other bookstores including:
Barnes & Noble | Magers & Quinn Booksellers | McNally Jackson Books
ARTICLES and INTERVIEWS:
New book helps children to learn about mental illness in a safe and appropriate way
https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/category/latest-news-education-australia/
AVA ORION Media 