Gloom
I wrote and illustrated Gloom based on my personal life experiences. It tackles hard subjects and calmly displays them with both words and illustrations. This can encourage younger kids to talk about their problems. It is a graphic novel that deals with depression, loss, and anxiety. It is suitable for ages 5-years-old to adults.
This book and the artwork in it depicts some tough times in my own life. These are tough subjects for even a strong person to handle but with strength and perseverance, they may be overcomable obstacles. The purpose of this book is to show that there is a light at the end of the road and that, sometimes with help, that light can be seen through the darkness.
Reviewed By Leiann Lynn Rose Spontaneo for Readers’ Favorite
In Gloom: A Light in the Darkness by Serenity Williams, there is a character in the beginning and throughout who just does not want to get out of bed. The character does not even crave food. The character’s mother says it is depression. But, the character holds on to the glimmer of hope that they see in the darkness. They push through. They then let go of grief and find some closure. There is still a little anxiety left, however. The doctor tells the character to take deep breaths. The character does just that. It’s all that was needed. Everything is going to be okay.
This mental health book, Gloom: A Light in the Darkness by Serenity Williams, is good in offering a little self-help for anxiety, grief, and depression. However, there is a disclaimer, in the beginning, indicating that this book is by no means a professional’s advice. The story goes slowly so as to let the reader absorb what to do, like a coping skills pamphlet that you’d pick up somewhere on display. The book is simple to follow from one problem to the next. These are problems that are often linked to one another and can go undetected. The character is dressed in black throughout as if in mourning. Also, throughout the book, the character clutches a rose. The rose is probably a symbol of love and/or importance to the character. The book does not explain the rose though. Again, the theme is how good mental health is important, dealing with themes of anxiety, depression, and grief.
