Written in the first person by Jan, who is eleven years old and is sometimes lonely. He expresses this in lots of different ways that children will respond to. It can make him grumpy or sad or moody, and it can happen at school or at home. Sometimes he is both angry and lonely at the same time, and sometimes he just likes being by himself. He always knows he is loved by his family, and that their well-meaning attempts to cheer him up irritate rather than help, but he also knows ways that he can help himself. He likes to get interested in a book, or listening to his favourite music. He likes to draw too, and even though he isn't into sport, he can understand why his friends find this a way of dealing with the problem of loneliness. He calls these coping strategies 'going in' on himself and that really means concentration. A long journey helps, and he never feels lonely on a train where he can read or look out the window. (I'm with him on this one - long train journeys are great!) His dog, Bonny, helps too. He can talk to her and she understands how he feels. When his friends are angry or upset with him, he feels lonely even in a group. He and his aunt talk about being lonely, and she understands all about it; it's nice that grown-ups also experience it. Jan's 'voice' is excellent. He is a real character in his own right, and other children will identify with him easily. This adult certainly did, and this book in the 'Can I Tell You About' series is a real winner. Lots of black and white illustrations make it easily read, and it will be good for schools as well as home. Teachers and parents will note that a sad and sometimes difficult child may be experiencing loneliness. Available from Amazon, from good book shops, and from the publisher: www.jkp.com.