The Seasons Within Me

by Bianca Pozzi

A girl takes a journey through the good and not-so-good seasons in life.

A little girl starts her day feeling gray and alone, with everyone around her oblivious to her mood. On her way home from school, she meets a small dog in need of help, and the interaction turns her world a little brighter. Through their newfound friendship, she learns that deep bonds have the power to transform feelings and bring a vital sense of belonging. This debut picture book from Brazilian author-illustrator Bianca Pozzi creates a poignant and rich portrayal of childhood emotions with delicate text, gentle illustrations, and resounding empathy.

Genres: Picture Books, Emotion, Childrens, Art, Friendship, Dogs

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore when a children’s book can succinctly and productively address issues of mental health in a soft and caring way. The Seasons Within Me is the first picture book by Brazilian artist and designer Bianca Pozzi and is a tender look at difficult emotions like depression, how we move through different emotions, but also a look at how compassion and caring companions can help us endure our sadness.

The artwork here is really lovely, and I like the simplicity and whimsicality of it, harnessing the subject matter in metaphor. The Seasons Within Me is a story of a young girl who often feels like it is raining just on her, like the seasons are changing inside just like they are outside, and her moods are represented with weather imagery.

Nothing she does seems to change how she feels, though when she finds a lost, injured puppy and nurses the animal back to health, she finds they can wait out the stormy weather inside them both and make the most of it together. I loved the imagery of using the puddles from their personal rainclouds to sail paper boats upon. I appreciate that the message was not something about just finding ways to be happy or optimistic but instead shows that sad feelings happen and sometimes we just can’t shake them, that’s life, but you can weather out the gloomy days.

This is one of those picture books I find seems aimed as much at the adult reading it as it is to children and the story is perhaps a bit abstract for real young children, but it is a lovely book nonetheless. And the artwork is just gorgeous.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book gently acknowledges and explores the reality of having difficult emotions.
I liked the soft illustration style, and the message of this one.

[Suhasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and lovely little story with amazing illustrations!! ❤️❤️

Edit: re-read on 13/12. Still lovely, still heart warming.

[Frida · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Haze · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a soul stirring tale about the little girl going through emotional phase. However her friendship with a stray dog helps her go through this gloomy phase and she no longer feels alone.

The illustrations are so cute and gorgeous.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One morning, a little girl wakes up and finds that it is raining at her and she feels kind of gray. Her family hopes she will get better, but it feels like no one really understands. But then she meets a little dog who feels the same.

I think I would have loved this book even if I weren't so invested in the concept of emotional support animals, but my experiences with depression and the power of a little dog's loyalty made this book extra special. It's also really beautifully written and illustrated, well worth reading over and over.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So beautiful and so true.
Very creative way of telling a story about depression/depressive thoughts.
Loved it

[Amy Oberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Seasons Within Me" is a poignant picture book featuring a young girl who wakes up "feeling gray." Her mother's response, "Don't worry about it, sweetie. I'm sure you'll feel better soon," seems almost dismissive. This story brought me to tears, as my adult perspective saw evidence of depression, as well as the effectiveness of an emotional support animal. This is not a story I would reach for to share with audiences of young listeners/readers; however, it is one I would share side-by-side with a close family member.

Publication Date: 2023
Format: Picture book
Elements: Muted illustrations; limited text
Connection/Topics: Sadness/depression, friendship, dogs

From book jacket/left flap:
"A girl starts her day feeling sad and lonely until she crosses paths with a small dog in need of help, and her life takes on new meaning." A heartwarming and tender ode to the transformative power of friendship.

Detailed summary:
A girl takes a journey through the good and not-so-good seasons in life.

A little girl starts her day feeling gray and alone, with everyone around her oblivious to her mood. On her way home from school, she meets a small dog in need of help, and the interaction turns her world a little brighter. Through their newfound friendship, she learns that deep bonds have the power to transform feelings and bring a vital sense of belonging. This debut picture book from Brazilian author-illustrator Bianca Pozzi creates a poignant and rich portrayal of childhood emotions with delicate text, gentle illustrations, and resounding empathy.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, a little girl has been feeling dull and gray, like it's always raining on her. Then one day, she meets a dog and it brings the sun back into her life, like a spring or summer day. She still has those sad days, but most of them are sunny with new beginnings and friendship.

THE SEASONS WITHIN ME is a heart-warming tale about a little girl finding her best friend in a stray dog. The dog brightens her life and shows how pets can be good for our mental health. I love how the different seasons symbolize her emotions and how she can go from a summer's day to a winter's eve. The illustrations are simple and cute with just enough detail to catch your eye.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who either have a lot of emotions or have trouble explaining how they feel. This introduces a different way to discuss feelings where children may be able to interpret it easier.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: A young girl feels sad and alone as though it is raining on her and realizes no one is noticing. The child tells her mother and is consoled with the hope of feeling better soon. On her way home from school, she meets a dog that matches her rain. The girl cares for the dog, and they become friends, both feeling happier.

Comments: This children's book is a lovely metaphor for feeling sad.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muted illustrations take on a dreamlike quality and relate the struggles of a young girl who feels as though a rain cloud is hanging just over her. With help from an emotional support animal she is able to feel the rain subside, and though it sometimes comes back she knows she has a loving friend who supports her. Great introduction to depression or other emotional disorders. Great SEL book.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it's a good thing this kid found a dog because their parent is useless and dismissive (but at least they let them keep the dog, so that's a huge plus).

I should give it another star for the illustrations... okay, I will (note that the story is two stars, but the illustrations deserved its own extra star).

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at a new little bookstore in my area and immediately added it to my pile. The illustrations are beautiful and the message is an important one. We all feel a little gray inside at times, but there is also a lot of joy to be found. This just became one of my top list favorites! I love it completely ♥️

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4/5

A book talking about feeling sad with beautiful water colour drawings.

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHO WROTE THIS BOOK ABOUT ME?!

[Heather Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about bad days and how sharing them with someone can make it stop raining at you, for just a little while at least. Gorgeous illustrations.

[Il Profumo Delle Parole · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Italia è stato tradotto con il titolo "Le stagioni del mio cuore".
Davvero adorabile!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big feelings. Lovely illustrations.

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in this book is so touching, and I've had a similar personal experience. It was great to see the little girl's seasons begin to change when the pets arrive.

[Miry _ le.pagine.dei.miei.libri Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riassunto in poche parole: la fortuna di avere un amico a quattro zampe.
Uno splendido libro non solo adatto ai bambini per capire l'importanza dell'amicizia, il potere della condivisione del dolore, dell'affrontare la pioggia per apprezzare il sereno, ma adatto davvero a chiunque.
Un libro che ogni tanto va risfogliato per apprezzare, ogni volta di più, la storia e le illustrazioni. Illustrazioni dai colori tenui, partendo dal grigio che rispecchia la tristezza della bimba, a colori più "felici", quando la serenità torna!
Attenzione perché è impossibile non emozionarsi!

Piaciuto: Assolutissimamente sììììììììì!