This is not a book you buy for fun storytime. It's a therapeutic tool for a specific, challenging family situation—and for that purpose, it's solid.

Beth Andrews created a gentle, reassuring resource that tells kids what they desperately need to hear: it's not your fault, you're still loved, and there's help available. The interactive elements (drawing spaces, question prompts) are smart additions that give kids agency in processing their feelings.

That said, it's from 2002, and it shows. The clinical approach and language feel a bit dated compared to how we talk about mental health in 2025. There are likely more contemporary books that handle this topic with more nuance and narrative warmth. But if you need something right now and this is available, it does the job with compassion.

Bottom line: A useful resource for families in crisis, not entertainment. Use it as a conversation starter with your child, not as a substitute for one.