Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children with Bipolar Disorder (Revised Edition)

Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children with Bipolar Disorder (Revised Edition)

Brandon and the Bipolar Bear won the About.com 2011 Reader's Choice Award for Favorite Special-Needs Children's Book. By reading the pages of this beloved book, children and adults alike receive a rare glimpse into the private feelings and fears of a bipolar child. Though this is only a glimpse into Brandon's life, many children with bipolar disorder identify with the various moods that he experiences. When a child's symptoms differ from Brandon's, reading the book can open a dialogue about the illness. The book provides comfort as Brandon learns that he is not the only one who struggles with this inner turmoil. Children are educated along with the character as he visits a doctor and learns about the illness, how people get it, and why there is hope for him to feel better. This story is appropriate for children between 4 and 11 years of age. However, it will also be indispensable to parents, healthcare workers, teachers, grandparents, and anyone who cares about a child with bipolar disorder. Brandon and the Bipolar Bear has increased understanding and awareness of this illness for over 20 years and will continue to do so in the coming years. "This is an absolutely wonderful book that provides parents an opportunity to help their children with bipolar disorder understand the illness in language that is child friendly and truthful. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, they depict the depth of emotions that are seen in this illness with unbelievable detail. This book is a MUST HAVE for every child with bipolar disorder and a wonderful addition to every home library. Only through education and knowledge can parents and children develop the skills necessary to successfully fight this very serious neurological brain disorder and empower the child to take control of their illness!" -- Dr Donna Gilcher, Executive Director of The STARFISH Advocacy Association "A powerful, yet simple fictional story about a young boy living with bipolar disorder. Readers learn about Brandon's symptoms, fears, and treatment from a child's viewpoint. One of our children, age 7, wouldn't part with it. Suitable for ages 4-10 but can also serve as a tool for improving communications with siblings, teachers, and friends." "Children will follow (and relate to) Brandon's experience with rapid mood swings, irritability, his sense of always being uncomfortable, and his sadness that he can't control himself and that no one can fix him. The comforting explanation of bipolar disorder that Dr. Samuel gives him makes Brandon feel not alone, not bad, but hopeful that the medicines will make him (and his Bipolar Bear) feel better. We were so moved by the power of this little book and we feel better that we now can highly recommend a book for children ages 4-11." Brandon and the Bipolar Bear was the first fictional story available for young children about bipolar disorder. The book is now also available in a revised version to keep up with advances in the field. It is hoped that this book will continue to bring comfort to young ones struggling with this serious illness. Changes in the revised version include a positive statement about the abilities of people with bipolar disorder, a more complete treatment plan from the doctor including therapy and interventions at school and acknowledgement that children with bipolar disorder have difficulty accurately processing facial expressions. A friend of mine once told me, "The more we know, the better we do." I believe this to be true of parents, like myself, sturggling to raise children with bipolar disorder. I also believe it to be true for the children themselves. It is to help these children 'know more' that I have written this story. My sincere wish is that, along with education, it will also bring hope, understanding and courage to these young hearts and minds. Tracy Anglada is an award-winning mental health writer. She is also the founder and Executive Director of BPChildren, an organization dedicated to helping children and adults understand more about childhood bipolar disorder