Mama’s Days from Reycraft Books Explores Storytelling as a Coping Tool for Kids
The picture book introduces readers to a young girl who spins fantastical tales to get through her mother’s unpredictable moods.
New Rochelle, NY, Nov. 28, 2022—Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books is proud to present Mama’s Days, written by Andi Diehn and illustrated by Ángeles Ruiz. Published in hardcover on October 5, 2022, this powerful, touching, beautifully illustrated book addresses the very real issue of mental health in a manner appropriate for young readers. The main protagonist, a young girl, uses her vivid imagination and talent for storytelling as way of coping with her mother’s unpredictable emotional states, conjuring up a fantasy tale involving a princess, a queen, and a misunderstood dragon who is susceptible to mood swings, making the creature sometimes nice and sometimes scary.
Not only is Mama’s Days a celebration of creativity and an exploration of resilience, but it is also, as associate publisher Wiley Blevins notes, a story to which millions of people of any age can relate—and embraces Reycraft’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. “We think of diversity as a big umbrella that includes different life circumstances,” Blevins says. “More kids and people than you think are dealing with issues like mental health.”
Author Diehn describes Mama’s Days as “the book of my heart” and illustrator Ruiz’s work as “stunning and deeply felt.” She notes, “Depression and anxiety are part of the experience of many families, including my own.
“It’s important to talk about how we’re feeling, what we worry about, the things we wish were different, plus everything we hope stays the same.” Diehn adds that in writing the book, she wanted “to show kids—and grownups—that they aren’t alone, that we’re all showing love as best we can. And that it’s always good to ask for help.”
School Library Journal, in its review of Mama’s Days, said, “Important for the understanding messages that are comforting without hitting too hard, this book is best shared one on one, and should be available wherever books on mental health are needed.”
Mama’s Days has also received enthusiastic support from bestselling author Jodi Picoult, who called it “a picture book for kids that so beautifully encapsulates a parent’s depression and how it can be explained.” Picoult added, “If this is pertinent for your family, I urge you to [order it] immediately. Honestly, it’s beautiful. Trust me.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andi Diehn lives with her family and too many pets in rural New Hampshire. She earned an MFA from Vermont College and has published eleven books for children, plus many articles, essays, and short stories for adults. Being part of a family that knows the struggle of maintaining mental health has been an ongoing lesson in resilience and courage.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:
Ángeles Ruiz was born in Barcelona, Spain. When she was a child, reading was her favorite subject at school. That was where her passion for creating magical stories and picture books started. Ángeles paints with both traditional and digital brushes using textures and colors in her work to evoke magical environments and emotions. She has illustrated several books for children, including Valentina and Monster, which she also wrote.
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: Reycraft Books partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.