The little boy and his dad have always loved colour, particularly the colour out of doors - 'green hills snoozing in the afternoon light, and bright flowers singing to the sun'. But then disaster hits, and Dad is 'full up of sadness' and loses the colour in his life. The little boy thinks he has done something wrong to make this happen, but he is reassured that this is not so. Dad is afraid to go out, he hates the telephone and the doorbell, and even lots of family hugs do him no good. When he finally retreats to his bed, the little boy is again worried that he has done something wrong and draws a picture of his father locked up in a big ice cube. Again he is reassured. Dad goes to hospital and is given medication and someone to talk to, 'someone to listen', and the time moves very slowly as he begins to get better. Slowly, slowly the little boy sees that the colour is returning to dad's life, and the two of them are able to walk in the colourful world once more. The text in this tender and beautiful story is outstanding, as are the illustrations. Littlewood's pictures reflect perfectly the glow of happiness and the bleakness of depression. Invaluable for giving hope to families who are suffering from this terrible illness.