Not for very young children, this remarkable picture book is about depression. While it seems to be a child who is suffering from it, it could well be an older person, even an adult. But whoever it is, the effects are mind-bending in both word and picture. Known for his surreal, highly imaginative illustrations, Tan has produced a stunning book that shows in all-too-detailed ways the effects of suffering a spell of depression - with hope at the end, it is important to emphasise. The story begins with the female main character in bed: 'sometimes the day begins with nothing to look forward to...' and we see flocks of leaves falling on the bed until it is covered completely with them. The darkness that falls on the child/girl/woman is mixed with images of fear and rejection, with the small person in the midst of chaos and senselessness, waiting for things to happen - only for the things that do happen turning out worse than ever. The good things in life are pictured outside a locked window and are 'passing you by'. One doesn't know who one is or where one should be or what one is supposed to do. As the main character comes back to her room in the evening, she finds a lovely flower growing out of the floor. This is the much needed hope that she has been longing for, and so the book ends on a positive note. Brilliantly conceived, worded and pictured! I would have to surmise that Tan himself has suffered from depression; he certainly knows what he's talking about.