{"id":197249,"date":"2017-12-06T12:48:50","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T02:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=197249"},"modified":"2020-08-10T12:40:05","modified_gmt":"2020-08-10T02:40:05","slug":"dragons-tale-now-in-libraries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/12\/06\/dragons-tale-now-in-libraries\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragon’s Tale Now In Libraries"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Author Karen Russell, Cr Danita Potter and South Burnett Regional Council librarian Kim Gough with a copy of Karen’s book ‘Deakon the Dragon is Sad’ (Photo: SBRC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 6, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett libraries are now stocking a book produced by a local author to help people struggling with mental health issues, particularly depression and bullying.<\/p>\n

Nanango author and artist Karen Russell, who suffers from a major depressive illness herself, unveiled \u201cDeakon the Dragon is Sad\u201d last year.<\/p>\n

The book tells the story of Deakon the Dragon\u2019s sadness, bullying and isolation, and how he eventually finds happiness again through the support of his family and friends.<\/p>\n

Karen spent two years writing the words and producing all the artwork for the children\u2019s book, which originally began life as a poem.<\/p>\n

After she’d written it, Karen said she realised it could make a good story to help parents and children understand mental illness.<\/p>\n

“It can help a parent explain their sickness to their children, and children can relate to the story if they are being bullied themselves,” she said.<\/p>\n

Last year, Karen entered the unpublished manuscript in a competition and won a $2000 voucher from Officeworks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She used this to buy a much-needed laptop and get some promotional copies of her book printed.<\/p>\n

The book made its public debut at a Mental Health Forum held at the Blackbutt Showgrounds last October, and the annual disAbility Art Show at the Kingaroy Art Gallery the following month.<\/p>\n

As part of a Partners in Recovery initiative – which focuses on improving outcomes for people in the community who experience persistent mental illness – Karen’s books will now also be available at each branch of the South Burnett Regional Council’s libraries.<\/p>\n

Communities portfolio chair Cr Danita Potter thanked Partners In Recovery for donating six copies of the book to the libraries.<\/p>\n

“The availability of this book through our libraries is extremely beneficial,” Cr Potter said.<\/p>\n

“It’s already received positive feedback from the community.”<\/p>\n