My dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever

BLACK & WHITE REPRINTED 2025

ACCLAIMED AS THE CHILDREN'S BOOK EVERY ADULT MUST READ!

"As a parent, I wish I had this book many years ago..." Professor Pat McGorry AO, leading psychiatrist, Professor Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne & founding editor of the journal 'Early Intervention in Psychiatry'.

My dad built me the best and wackiest cubby ever is a timely and compassionate story about a child and father setting out to build a cubbyhouse under streaming sunshine. Until clouds snake in on a hazing horizon... skies swell, a clouding storm brews and finally breaks and swirls into pouring rains, to eventually subside. All the while, the cubby grows wackier, with the rustiest of riches that rattle and rule!

This is all a metaphor for the father's mental ill health that gently aligns with the building of the cubby and changing weather and emotions.

Mental illness can be a challenge to understand because we can't 'see' anything wrong or broken with the brain. This warm-hearted story with black and white illustrations throughout helps give some understanding of mental health through the eyes of a child building a cubby with its father.

The chapter book is ideal for 5-14 year olds and comes with teacher resources to support student learning and a list of resources for carers, health professionals and families to draw upon.

The E-book and more information can be found at www.monikaschott.com

"What a wonderful read!!!! I absolutely loved the connection you made to the volcano experiment..." Andi

"An emotional narrative of childhood and parenting shuttles readers through trepidatious waters in Schott's own literary lifeboat..." Meg

"Twenty years ago, we wouldn't have seen a book like this. But every one of us will have somebody in our family that will suffer from periods of poor mental health, and Monika's book is a way for younger children to learn about mental illness in a very optimistic and positive way..." Professor Pat McGorry AO, Orygen

"A beautiful extended metaphor that gently walks the reader through the experience of suffering ill mental health... but also a simmering hope that is ever-present..." Kayla

"A powerful and insightful story about the true nature of mental health, and the impact on families..." Nicole

"The power of magical storytelling...a fantastic way to educate our young children on Mental Health and Wellbeing..." Bobby

"It's so gorgeous, I love the patience and understanding of Mum... the references at the end..." Susi