1. Art techniques
2. Book design
3. Depression
4. Emotions
5. Happiness
6. Imagery
7. Isolation
8. Mental health
9. Peace
10. Perspectives (Art)
11. Regeneration
12. Survival
13. Visual literacy

‘The Bubble’ is the story of a young girl Aditi’s enchanted journey from depression to healing. Blowing bubbles brings joy to Aditi but not today. The colourful diamonds that usually fill the air are not there and tears fall without reason. All the fun had gone, and she felt swamped. But one bubble refused to burst, the bubble looked empty, hollow, abandoned.

The bubble envelopes her and Aditi is taken through strange and disturbing landscapes that reflect her emotional turmoil. She travels across a wasteland of extraordinary sadness and solitude. There are impressions and images she doesn’t quite recognise or understand the deep gorges of her own memories. She drifts finally into a place of serenity and a sea of belonging and understanding and is delivered to a place of renewal.

The poetic text is reflected and complemented by Matt Ottley’s surreal dreamlike artwork. It provides a real sense of the isolation and confusion a person can feel when depressed. The last two spreads of butterflies and a rainbow express the feeling of rebirth and renewal after the crushing effects of the depression.

Mental health in children and adolescents is a growing area of concern. Books such as ‘The Bubble’ may assist in exploring the issue of depression with young people.

1. Beyond Blue ‘Depression’ https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/depression?
2. Josie Montano website https://booksbyjosie.com.au/
3. Matt Ottley website https://mattottley.com/home/