Paint by Magic

A parent might reach for this book when their child is expressing anxiety or confusion over a parent's mental health or emotional availability. It is a powerful tool for a child navigating the fear of seeing a parent change into someone unrecognizable. In this story, eleven-year-old Connor notices his mother is slipping away into strange trances, leading him on a time-traveling quest to the 1920s to rescue her soul from a magical, artistic trap. While the story uses fantasy and magic as a vehicle, the emotional core is deeply grounded in a child's devotion and the frightening experience of family illness. It touches on themes of resilience, the bond between mother and son, and the courage required to face a situation that feels out of one's control. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers a hopeful resolution that reinforces the idea that even when parents seem 'lost,' the love of a child can be a powerful force for healing.