“ Uncle Jay Has a Booboo ” is a heartwarming story between a little girl and her uncle Jay who has schizophrenia. Mental illness is an invisible disease and people who suffer from them are treated as pariahs. Even more concerning, kids with loved ones who suffer from mental illness are also affected emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. This book seeks to change that by teaching kids kindness, empathy, resilience, and love despite what their parents or other caregivers are going through. At the end of the day, this book is meant to become a communication tool to help ease children’s confusion and help them create positive coping skills when dealing with loved ones who are suddenly behaving oddly . If you’re looking to reduce the stigma associated with a difficult mental condition that may create threatening and challenging situations for your child, then this book is for you.
Thank you, Sabine Ruh House, for sending me a copy of your book Uncle Jay Has a Booboo. This heartwelming book aims to explain mental health with empathy and sensitivity. Since I’m in healthcare, I’m constantly searching for books to help children understand complicated topics and disagnosis of their loved ones. This is a topic of books we need more of asap. Uncle Jay Has a Booboo has a needed message with lovely illustrations. This is a book every child should read with their family to increase their compassion and understanding. This goes in the forever section of the family library at home.
I don't have an uncle Jay who has a "booboo," but I felt the pain of the writer. I really got teary-eyed. If this is a real story about an uncle Jay, please accept a virtual hug from me.
Mental health is underrated and this book addresses it with sensitivity. Easy to understand. Well-written. Lovely illustrations. Read it to your kids. Keep forever.
Uncle Jay Has a Booboo is a picture book by Sabine Ruh House. It features a little girl, who is telling us about her Uncle Jay, and a bit about him being sick, even though she doesn’t quite understand it because she can’t see what’s making him like this (schizophrenia).
I think the theme is really important, and a lot of kids might be able to relate with having loved ones who are sick, even if they can’t see what the cause of the problem is. In life, there’s all sorts of invisible illnesses, like mental or physical illnesses. This book shows a lot of the ups and downs that Uncle Jay has, and how it affects their lives, and the lives of people around them. And it’s good that the girl is still trying to give him love and spend time with him. I also appreciate how she’s trying to be patient, even though she doesn’t really understand what’s the problem is. One thing I would have liked to see is a conversation happening, where someone explains to her what’s going on. There’s a point where the text mentions that her parents frown at what’s going on, and mentions of the neighbours being upset by the behaviour. But I think someone really needed to talk to her about it. Because, way too often, a lot of kids don’t understand these types of things because no one takes the time to talk to them about it. Or, when they do, they don’t always explain it in ways that the kid(s) can understand. Otherwise, I think the author did really well characterising the stuff going on. And I feel like it doesn’t just refer to Schizophrenia, it can be relevant to other types of invisible illnesses. All sorts of kids can notice the mental or physical behaviour of people with these types of illnesses, and be confused by the issues.
To any parents, guardians (, etc) who are needing to talk to any kid(s) about these kinds of issues, I recommend drafting out what you want to say. Start by listing what the illness is, how it’s caused, and whether the person is going through any treatment(s) (medicine, therapy, etc). Also think about what questions might be asked. The way you talk to this kid (or kids) will likely dependant on what age they are, and they might not always understand fully about what’s going on. If need be, you can help them research (books, internet, etc) into the issues, and help them learn more about what's going on, if they’d like to learn more.
The illustrations do a really good job characterising the moments as well; with all sorts of positive and negative stuff going on. It was good to see the emotional journey between the girl and her uncle; to visualise how the schizophrenia affects Uncle Jay, and the way the girl reacts to these behaviours.
Overall, it’s a pretty good book, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to the confusion the girl feels, as well as the love she has for her uncle. Both the writing and illustrations are wonderful.
"Uncle Jay Has a Booboo" It is one of those books that should be in each of our homes, especially if you have children, also this should also be read at schools.
Through its pages, it teaches great values, to be empathetic, not to judge others, to realize that each one shines in their own way, to understand the importance of mental health, it’s a topic that should be discussed in home. That's why I loved this book, for everything it conveys to us.
With a wonderful narration by Sabine Ruh House and illustrations that I loved and that give the story even more strength.
I would have liked in my childhood to have had the opportunity to read a book. Highly recommended.
There aren't many books on mental illness for children, so I was very glad to find Uncle Jay Has a Booboo. The story is well-written, and the illustrations are sweet and very fitting. My little ones loved it, and we will definitely be reading it again.
Thank you so much for making it a little easier to explain to children mental health issues. It is difficult at best to try to explain something that can't be seen to an adult.
**I received this book for free from a Goodreads Giveaway and this is my honest review**