Coming Home - Dennis Jones & Associates

Discussion Questions1. After reading the first few pages of Coming Home, what were your first thoughts aboutGemma’s dad?2. What do you think Gemma was feeling when she looked at her Dad sitting in the garden?3. What did Gemma’s mum mean when she explained the father’s illness as ‘something youcan’t see’?4. Can depression be visible? How do you know Gemma’s dad is depressed by reading the text?5. Gemma refers to her dad being in ‘that other place’. What does she mean by this?6. What is the significance of the title Coming Home?7. Why do you think the author used symbols of plants and a garden extensively throughoutthe book?8. What feelings do the author and illustrator leave you with at the end of the story?9. What things make your students happy? Students may even draw their responses. Ask themwhat they think has helped Gemma’s dad begin to feel happier.Discussion Questions – Visual Literacy1. Look at each of the beginning and final endpapers. How do these symbolise the beginningand ending of the story?2. Why has the illustrator used black and white illustrations?3. Why do you think the illustrator has coloured some aspects of the illustrations on most ofthe pages?4. Look at the illustration featuring the father reaching out to the warm sunshine. What doesthis represent?5. What does the wilted rose symbolise?6. How does the text and illustrations work together to tell the story?7. What is it that the father sees in the garden, trying to reach the sunlight?Discussion Questions – PDHPE (Secondary Students)1. What are the main symptoms of depression? (use the fact sheets on the Black Dog Institutesite)2. Which symptoms do you recognise in Gemma’s father?3. Depression can be referred to as an invisible illness. How true do you think this statement isin relation to the story and characters?4. What are some of the reasons for depression?5. Which, if any, can you recognise within the story?6. Why is depression sometimes referred to as an ‘episode’?7. What are some useful ways to help someone through an episode of depression?8. What do you see as evidence of support for Gemma’s father in the book?9. How have the author and illustrator combined to tell both a story and information aboutdepression?10. Discuss with your students the differences between sadness and depression.Coming HomeSharon McGuinness4Wombat Bookswww.wombatbooks.com.au