Jellybean
Ellie Bean, Aka Jellybean, is walking to school. Despite having very good friends and being in the top set in almost all her subjects, she is feeling anxious – very anxious indeed. In fact, this anxiety has manifested itself in very physical symptoms, and she hasn’t been to school in over six months. What follows is an extended flashback of Ellie’s struggles with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (ESBA), told compassionately and thoughtfully by Eve Ainsworth in the accessible language that characterises Barrington Stoke’s publications.
Ainsworth effectively describes Ellie’s emotions throughout: the fear, the shame, the sheer impossibility of going to school, even hearing about school from her friends makes her feel overwhelmed and anxious. Parish’s black and white illustrations enhance the emotional impact of the story, portraying Ellie’s feelings of isolation and anxiety – a dark cloud over her head, her outline amplified in a crowd. We also see the supports available to Ellie throughout the book in the UK – the GP, the Educational Welfare Officer, support groups and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
This is, perhaps, a somewhat idealised account of ESBA: Ellie’s parents are overwhelmingly supportive, her friends remain constant and understanding, and, crucially, her family has the resources to pay for a private therapist to visit her at home. But ultimately, this story raises awareness of a significant mental health issue and is effective in showing Ellie’s struggles and feelings. The open ending leaves space for the reader to reflect and, perhaps, identify with her story.
