While mental health issue stories are not new, even in children’s books, Lisl H. Detlefsen makes a fresh and creative work in My Mom Is Like a Kite. I assumed that the Mom in question would probably have highs and lows, but I did not expect them to be as serious as they are. I assumed this would be a lighthearted story about feelings, one that says even adults are happy, sad, scared, etc. You know, real emotions. This is partly because Nathalie Dion’s illustrations are pastel and whimsical. They are airy, they are not detailed but do not lack details. The light use of the lighter colors makes things seem almost happy. But you do need to watch for the changes. The illustrations are very good at clueing you into a change.
While I greatly appreciate and enjoy the story, I am not sure how I will recommend this book. This is not what I consider an easy sell. You cannot walk up to a customer and say, “Hey. Ya wanna read a book where a little girl deals with her mothers depression? It’s a real hoot.” And people are not always forthcoming about needing such a book for a child. With that said, you adults, read it, too. When our narrator finds a new friend named Grace, the things that they talk about are very helpful. One could even use them for dealing with a family member who is dealing with mental health issues or even if you, yourself, are dealing with them.
The big picture, the whole package is a delightfully simple, but not simplistic way to introduce the subject or to deal with it with a child already in the situation. Read via an online reader, I have plenty of time to promote it as it does not come out until April 2026.