An evocative picture book for 3-6 years olds expressing the struggles a parent or guardian with Bipolar Disorder can experience as well as the strength and hope of their unconditional love.
Also features exquisite watercolor illustrations and back matter spread explaining mood disorder.
Mamuś and her son love Kite Days. But conditions have to be right.
Sometimes the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and the day is calling… But it's still not a Kite Day.
Sometimes the clouds roll in, and the wind is too strong… And they still try for a Kite Day.
But when their string gets tangled and the light gets dim, they must stay inside and wait for their next chance at a Kite Day.
Navigating worry, anger, sadness and disappointment, Mamuś and her son fly their kite together. While her mood mirrors the kite's motions – gently rising, twisting in the wind, tangling in a tree, and crashing to the ground – the pair continue to try. Despite the ups and downs, their love is, and will always remain, constant.
"Is today a kite day?" I ask Mamuś.
Her smile is a blossom unfolding.
"Let's go and see," she says.
An honest yet hopeful glimpse into a child's experience with a parent who has bipolar illness or other mood-related struggles, including concrete suggestions for young readers who are concerned about a loved one, this is a key social and emotional learning (SEL) book for young readers and loved ones navigating a mental health illness. Lisa Varchol Perron is a psychotherapist, which helps inform her writing about the resiliency of the human spirit. Lisa has been published in Highlights Hello, The Caterpillar, and The School Magazine. Lisa's debut picture book, PATTERNS EVERYWHERE, and her debut board book, MY LOVE FOR YOU, were published in 2023.
Find out more information at https://lisaperronbooks.com/
Siski Kalla was born into a storytelling family with Finnish, German and English roots, and she has always loved creating quirky characters and stories, bringing them to life via watercolour and pencil. Siski has illustrated more than 15 children's books, including the I Love You This Much! series from Wonderbly, Gertie is Not All Dogs and Let's Explore Snails! which won the Spark Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).
Find out more information at https://siskikallaillustration.com/
