I will forever sing the praises of Barrington Stoke. Their books are produced by some of the most fantastic authors and illustrators, with themes ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime. Their dyslexia-friendly format has opened to doors to the world of reading for many of my pupils.

Today I’m sharing ‘A Bad Day For Jayden.’ A gentle read about a boy who is acting as a young carer whilst his mum struggles with her mental health following a relationship breakdown and the loss of her job.

Jayden is not having a great day. He’s had to get himself and his younger sister ready for school, his clothes need washing and there’s no food left in the house. To make matters worse, when he gets to school, his best friend Dylan has buddied up with Luca (whom he thought neither of them liked) and is refusing to talk to him.

Following a fight in the lunch hall, a glimmer of light appears in an otherwise terrible day, when supply teacher Mrs Wilson asks if there’s anything he’d like to talk about.

This is story sensitively explores the reality of being a young carer and living with a parent who is having mental health issues. Sadly, this is a situation lots of children can find themselves in. Stories like this go some way towards opening up conversations and allowing young carers to know that they are not the only people in that situation.

I particularly like that ways to seek help were highlighted and a positive outcome for Jayden and his sister reached. Children need to know that things can change for the better. Hope is important.

Another brilliant title to add to the Barrington Stoke collection for readers aged 8+

Library Girl.

*Many thanks to Barrington Stoke for sending me this title to review*