Children are easy prey for adults. Where they should feel secure, sometimes be a burden to them. This book encourage kids to speak up when necessary. Of course, you have to find adults that care. Although easily manipulated, children have pure soul that can detect adults' sincerity, and it is also a tool for them to find one who cares.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Sometimes is an emotional and eye opening picture book for children with the aim to encourage them to recognise when to ask for help, when to talk to someone who can help, and to help them feel less alone.
This book shows a young child who misses her father and is sworn to secrecy by her mother, who seems to have mental health issues and is seemingly abusing the child as a possible result. This book would be perfect for social stories within a school as one-to-one story times or within a session with a therapist. My only criticism is that the book ends without any information as to where and how the child can get help and ended rather abruptly.

Sometimes by Joann Howeth tells the truth about what some go through on a daily basis and encourages the reader to talk to someone about whatever they go through.. I appreciate the subject matter that was covered. I believe that Sometimes could be a good resource to those working with kids in any capacity and those in the counseling field. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Life can get overwhelming. The people closest to us hurt us the most. Sometimes is a story about a little girl that deals with neglect and abuse from her mother. Things like this happen more than people realize and children need to understand that they have others to turn too. I have mixed feelings about this story and not really sure it is an appropriate children's book to be read to young children. If you pick up this book, I recommend reading it before reading with your children. Thank you to NetGalley, Literally PR Ltd. for the ARC. I am writing this review voluntarily and this is my own opinion. #netgalley, #sometimes, #literallyprltd, #neglect, #abuse

This is a very good book for child therapists and school counselors. It's a very sad story about a mom struggling to take care of her daughter and always telling her daughter not to tell anyone.

This book could get a child to open up about struggles they face at-home. I don't recommend the book for regular home reading to children.

This book is the perfect way to open the conversation with a child who may be experiencing abuse. The illustrations are soft and approachable, considering the tough topic. I found the simple text and dialogue appropriate for the age range.

This story tells the tale of a young girl who is living in a tough situation. With the help of her neighbor she is reminded that sometimes it is best to speak the truth instead of holding it inside. This is a poignant reminder that we never know what is happening behind closed doors. I would recommend this book to teachers and therapists as a way to remind children that they are not alone, and that help is close by.

In a Nutshell: Sometimes, you want to love a book just for its intent. And in intent, this gets full marks. The content needs a little more to be perfect.

Written in the first person perspective of a young girl, the story reveals to us how the narrator lives with a mother who is possibly bipolar. (The book doesn’t assign any cause to her behaviour.) The girl’s dad “has been gone a long time” (again, no explanations provided) and as such, she is dependent only on her mother. But her mother’s mood swings are quite erratic, and the girl doesn’t know what makes her like this. Moreover, the house is cluttered and the fridge is empty. When Mummy tells the girl that she’s doing the best she can and accompanies her words with “Don’t tell!”, the girl understands that she should keep her personal problems a secret. But her neighbour Mrs. McGeorge realises what’s happening, and encourages the girl to seek help.

This is such a sad story. My heart broke for the little girl who lived a life of such uncertainty under her mother and still felt like she had to be loyal to her parent by not revealing their problems to others. The neighbour’s words to her – ‘Sometimes, we have to tell’ – are so simple yet accurate.

The plot is as jumpy as Mummy’s behaviour. One page might have her talking to her daughter in a friendly way while the very next page might depict her snapping at her child. I felt as jumpy as the little girl might under those circumstances. There was simply no relaxing with such a parent around. Maybe this was done purposely to show life with such a parent, but the result is quite nerve-wracking. The abrupt ending doesn’t help. I wanted more. I wanted closure.

As the book doesn’t provide any explanation for the dad’s disappearance and the mother’s mental health issues, the book is quite flexible in its application. However, where it misses out on a golden opportunity is in providing a practical checklist for children, either in terms of warning signs of problematic behaviour in caregivers or by providing a list of persons/help centres whom children can approach. A list of helpful resources at the end would have worked wonders in enhancing the impact of this book.

I loved the message of the book. Those closest to us can also hurt us. We might feel the need to protect our loved ones by keeping their darker side a secret but as the book rightly says, sometimes, we do need to tell. So many children might be silent sufferers under such conditions, and I hope this book encourages them to seek help from someone reliable.

The illustrations have a subtle poignancy about them, though they are in bright, vivid pastels. They work excellently for the content.

This book would work well in a place where help is available for children (the office of a therapist or a counsellor or a social worker) or in common places where children can go to find help (a classroom or a library.)

All in all, I love that fact that such a book exists, and though I wanted more, I still appreciate the attempt.

3.5 stars, rounding up for the intent.


My thanks to Cherish Editions, Literally PR Ltd. and NetGalley for the DRC of “Sometimes”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Sometimes is a story about a young girl who has a mother as a single parent. It explores neglect, abuse, and what goes on in her house.

It raises such an important topic for children to know you can discuss your problems with someone, tell someone what you are going through, and eventually get the help you need. I think this book, albeit tiny, had a lot of emotions and thoughts behind it. It was emotional and scary to read it knowing that this is what children go through in our world.

I think the illustration style was connected to the book’s topic but because I did not enjoy it so much I am giving the book 4 stars. Thanks to Literally PR Ltd., Cherish Editions for the ARC.

I think the idea behind this book is noble but I am not sure about how it is executed. The idea that some children face abuse from a parent at home and we want the world to witness the suffering of these children is important. But first of all, if this book is written for them, we need to wonder how likely such children are to actually come across this book to feel validated? if the purpose of this book is to make kids who have the privilege of a loving home and loving parents to become aware of their girfts and know that there is suffering in the world, I wonder at what age that can be done and the manner that is done.

This book has an accessible story matched by excellent artwork. This book also has another important purpose. When things are seriously wrong, observed or perceived, getting children to be able to open up to someone is important. This book seems to give opportunities for that opening. A discussion about what is happening in the story and what should be done could help a child share their own story. Or allow discussions with children about why it is important to share concerns with an adult that they are comfortable with. Thank you to Joann Howeth, Literally PR and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given

I think it's important to have a book like this, although it's definitely not one I would feel comfortable reading to a class spontaneously. It's a little intense and dark for children that have no idea what it's like to be in that type of household. Maybe if the reader gives a bit of a disclaimer before reading it to kiddos. Definitely important for kids to feel they can open up to adults, and so they know they aren't alone.

This story is about a little girl that lives with a verbally abusive and not caring mother. Luckily her neighbor notices what she’s going through and try’s to help.
I think as a adult picking this book you need to read it first before sharing with your child. . And I think this book would be a subject that you are ok sharing with your kids. It wouldn’t be my first choice of a read out loud or a bedtime story. When I read books like this it reminds me we just never know what goes on behind closed doors and although it does show real life Situations I would only feel comfortable sharing with a bit older kids and with the parents ok. Thank you netgalley

Oh my goodness this was a book that tugged on the heartstrings.

The book deals with a tough subject to raise with children extremely well and it is sadly a book that will be very much needed to allow these subjects to be discussed and raised.

The book is delicate in how the subject matter of an abusive home is brought up. In the story the little girl has an absent father who I am assuming has left her and the mother and their home is far from a happy one. The mum seems to have changed over the period that the book progresses and it is clear that the little girl is no longer safe at home with her mum from what happens and she needs help.

The book will let children in similar positions know that they are not alone and hopefully will assist them in getting the help they needed. It is 5 stars from me for this one – very well done

Sometimes is an honest, though heartbreaking depiction of a young girl as she struggles with an abusive mother, absent father, and unsafe home. Consistently reminded to not to tell of her circumstances, the child is fearful when an observant neighbor takes note. Unfortunately, it's here where the story ends. Without final pages to guide readers experiencing similar situations as the protagonist, the book falls short of benefiting an ending which explains who and how to tell. While not recommended as a traditional children's storybook, Sometimes is a poignant read for those with a school counselor, assisted by a social worker, in a therapist's office, or shared by a concerned observer and only read as a springboard for further discussions.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes is about a little girl struggling through a difficult home life with her mother. Mom is struggling to provide for her. Mom is struggling to keep the house clean. Mom is not showing up and being supportive. Mom doesn't want anyone to know so she tells the little girl not to tell.

When I saw this book, I knew I wanted to review it. My son and I went through some of what the little girl went through and I wanted to see what he thought.
He is ten years old. He says that while the book wasn't just like what he went through, reading a book like this would have made him feel less all alone. I think that says it all. I would give this to every counselor and therapist.
Thank you for the advanced copy.

Sad story but a necessary one. A great book for schools and counselors to have on hand for students who are living in hard circumstances. While sad, the book truly depicts the ups and downs of a child dealing with a parent overcome by grief. Not only does this book give us a glimpse into the life of a child living in this situation, but it also gives us a glimpse into how grief can lead a parent into a downward spiral. I especially loved the hope of the young girl finding a trusted adult friend who sees and is there to help support her.

Sometimes is a truly heartbreaking story. It features a little girl in a very bad situation. Her father is no longer with the family, and her mother is unable to cope as a single parent.

Stuck in a downward spiral, the girl's mother is developing hoarding tendencies, and their home and her surroundings are becoming increasingly filthy and disorganized. Often, they don't even have enough to eat.

The girl cannot understand why this is happening. Nor can she get any answers from her mother as to what is going on. When questioned about the situation, her mother becomes angry.

Not only is the little girl suffering as a result of this parental neglect, she is also unable to explain to anyone how bad the situation at home is, because her mother has repeatedly instructed her not to tell anyone. So on top of everything else, she is increasingly isolated.

It is only one neighbour who recognizes that something is wrong. And despite the girl's reluctance to inform anyone of the situation, it is the kindly neighbour who explains to her that sometimes the right thing is in fact to tell someone.

This story deals with a difficult situation, and one that is all too common in the lives of many children - in a sensitive and moving way. It should be made available in every school library, so that any child who is in this situation knows what to do, and other children in better circumstances learn how to be sensitive to the plight of a child who is facing such neglect. Five stars for this one, also for the illustrations which are expressive and beautifully done.