Joseph Coelho offers another emotional story – “No Longer Alone”, which unfolds around the feelings of a coloured girl.
The little girl’s behaviour differs from the children’s, so her nan, auntie and the teacher comment about her shyness and unwillingness to collaborate in a group. In an inner dialogue, the child believes she is confident and a talker, but times are challenging. The illustrations reveal the loss of a significant figure in the girl’s life.
Joyful and easy-going in the past, her father encouraged her to be herself. The communication leads the girl to express confusion and worries to Dad, who listens “like the ocean listens to raindrops”. The conversation has a therapeutic effect, and the story continues similarly with the girls’ opposing reactions and behaviour.
Even the comments of relatives and the teacher felt a little strange; the story offers a solution. “No Longer Alone” can help children process grief and identify with feelings when they don’t feel themselves.
Further Information:
If you loved No Longer Alone, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
The Stats:
- Title: No Longer Alone
- Author and Illustrator: Joseph Coelho and Robyn Wilson – Owen
- ISBN: 978 1 4052 9129 3
- Publication Date: 2019
- Page Count: 32
- Publisher: Egmont
- Recommended age: 5-8
- Categories/Topic: Grief, family
Where to Find it:
