Pearl River, New York, Author Publishes New Book for Children about Mental Illness

"Mama Blue," a new book by Jane Coco Cowles, has been released RoseDog Books.

Mama Blue is a simple picture book intended to introduce children ages 5-8 to the concept of depression.

Baby Moo sees her mother sleeps most of the day, is always tired, and doesn't play outside with her. She tries to cheer up her mother, but she cannot. One day she sees her mother is bleeding and asks what happened. Mama Blue tells her daughter that she cut herself to lessen the pain. Baby Moo is scared. Her mother could easily have bled to death. All of Baby Moo's questions help Mama Moo see that she needs help from doctors and mental health professionals to treat her depression.

While fictional, this story is based on the author's experiences of watching her mother struggle with depression. It is never too soon to learn the warning signs of this debilitating and life threatening disease. Depression and other mental illnesses are just as real as physical illnesses. Until we start changing the way we view mental illness as a society, people will not get the help they need.

About the Author:
Jane Coco Cowles received a degree in Art and English from Drew. She became a paralegal for a solo practitioner in Greenwich, Connecticut. Then she went on to receive a law degree from Pace University and a Masters in Taxation from New York Law School. She worked at Ernst & Young and McGladrey.

During this time, Jane struggled with anorexia and extreme anxiety. Recovery made her recognize her true passion was to create. Jane has enjoyed writing and drawing all of her life. Now she is finally living her dream.

"Mama Blue" is a 30-page hardback with a retail price of $26.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4349-3501-4. It was published by RoseDog Books, an imprint of Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore at www.rosedogbookstore.com.