I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a topic that isn't often tackled in children's books, but it's important. I think this is a great, gentle way to help kids understand dealing with a parent with mental illness.

This is a really beautiful story. A powerful way to look at a parent who has bi polar disorder and the children that she loves. I thought the imagery was really lovely and the story was well done. Definitely something that makes bi polar disorder easier to understand for kids (and adults)

A very sweet little book that helps children to understand the complications of living with bipolar disorder. It explains the disorder in very simplistic ways that can help even the youngest children to understand why their parent or sibling may act differently than they expect them to. A must-have for any parent with bipolar disorder, or even with an older child or close family friend with the disorder.

This is a fantastic book. I am so glad more and more books are coming out for children that explain issues in everyday families. I will be buying this book for my school library where I work.

The story is told from the perspective of child whose mother has bipolar disorder. The grandfather who helps to care for the child compares bipolar disorder to the “ups and downs” of a rollercoaster, hence the title and cover image. The language is straightforward but not simplistic, and I appreciate that the presence of a counselor and a social worker are mentioned nonchalantly, The text itself is thoughtfully placed throughout the pages, allowing the reader to see just how well Summer Macon’s tender illustrations accompany the story. While the FAQ at the end of the book is addressed towards younger readers, the information is helpful for readers of all ages. UP AND DOWN MOM is not exactly a feel-good book or a cutesy one. However,, it DOES cover an important subject, and makes for a welcome addition to conversations about mental health,

When I started reading Up and Down Mom, I wasn't sure what to expect. It starts with how the child's mom is a great storyteller and how the mom is fun to bake with. Abruptly, the book talks about how the mom is so tired that she stays in bed all day, so the child has to walk to school with their friends. At this point, I thought the book was a little strange, especially when the child felt embarrassed by their mom at the library and pool, but loved playing with friends and shopping together.

I soon realized that this book is about a mother with bipolar disorder. The mom leaves for treatment, and the child stays with their granddad for awhile. The book talks about how the mom has ups and downs, how the child can't fix their parent, about going to a therapist to talk about feelings, about parents taking medication for bipolar disorder, and about creating a list of contact people for the child in case they need to get in touch. The last page of the book includes more information about bipolar disorder and how it can affect the child and parent.

I thought the illustrations were really good for this book. The story is well written, and the author did a great job describing how a parent with bipolar disorder might act and feel. I probably would have understood the book a lot more if I would have realized sooner that it was about a parent with bipolar disorder. I would recommend Up and Down Mom for a child who is between the ages of 3 and 8, especially if their parent has bipolar disorder, or if they want to learn more about it.

Up and Down Mom is exactly how it sounds. It's about a mother who suffers from bipolar disorders and often has feelings that are really happy and energetic, and feelings that are low and sad. We see all of these up and downs through the eyes of her daughter. It was really nice to have such a clear and concise story on what can be an uncomfortable topic. It was really well written and it would be a great, relatable read for children who are in the same situation. I really liked how this story never shied away from the situations but didn't go so far that this book might be triggering or scary. I would recommend this for all children because it's such a good idea to show and teach children that there are mental disorders and many people have them, but that doesn't mean life can't be lived or enjoyed.

Lovely story about having a parent with bipolar. Not didactic and has a great voice of the child character: simply explaining what day to day life is like. This child is incredibly lucky to have his grandfather, friends and neighbor for support along with a social worker and family therapist. Good endnotes too. I think for most students with bipolar parents this story may be “too good to be true” but the concept is lovely and something for families to aspire to. #UpandDownMom #NetGalley

This book is honest and provides the opportunity to discuss parents struggling with bipolar disorder with children in a very accessible way. It tells the truth about the challenges of living with someone who struggles with bipolar disorder without placing blame. The most important thing this book does, is make it clear for kids that it isn't their fault or their job to fix their parent. It also emphasizes the connections they have with other adults who can help them if they need help.

While I don't think this book is going to appeal to all children, it will make a world of difference for the kids that need it. I can't imagine how helpful this book would have been when I was a child. Thank you for writing this book and putting it out into the world.

This book is about a boy whose mom has bipolar disorder. It shows his moms disorder through his eyes and what he sees. It gives a look at the manic and depressive episodes of that disease. I think it is helpful and informative for kids.

Up and Down Mom is a children’s book about a child whose mother has diagnosed bipolar disorder. The story talks about good days and bad days. It talks about medications and the kind of help that mom needs. The book does a great job stating that mom’s illness is not the child’s fault and there are many adults who can help when mom is unable to be there. The beautiful illustrations add to the story.

I would recommend this book to school counselors. As an educator, I would recommend that schools have this book on campus as a resource to use for students who may be in this situation. Make sure there are trusted adults and resources available for the child.

Thank you to Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, Child’s Play International, and NetGalley for the electronic galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Up and Down Mom is the perfect book for children who have parents struggling with mental health issues. It discusses how no matter how much you love them, you can't make them better. It talks about medication, helpful people and how to manage the stress.
The only piece that could have been a wonderful addition was coping mechanisms for children in these situations.

This book is wonderful for kids with parents that experience Bipolar Disorder ( or other mental illnesses ). The book is narrated through a child's eyes as she witnesses the ups and downs of her mother's behaviour as they journey through life together. One day her mom is energetic, exuberant, happy and can move mountains. Other days she is sad, withdrawn and cannot seem to cope with life.

The two do have great times together on mom's good days. They read stories, enjoy cooking, go to the library and swim at the pool, just to name a few. On those up day they enjoy each other's company and the sky's the limit for fun.


Oftentimes her mom gets really tired and doesn't even want to get out of bed. Those days are sad for both. Then one night mom is taken away from home to be cared for by others. Grandad always comes to stay in mom's absence. He explains:

"However much you love your mom and want to help, it's not your job to fix her. She needs help from people who are specially trained. They will look after her and help her manager her feelings."

While reading this book kids can discover the behaviours of mania and depression and understand that sometimes a parent needs to go to a treatment centre and given mediation to help control their feelings. The book assures the child that it is not their fault or their responsibility to fix their parent. The author has added a Q&A appendix at the back of the book for a deeper discussion entitled "My Parent has Bipolar Disorder."

I really like the illustrations. They enrich the message of the text and are full of emotion and heart. This book will be a great addition to a classroom and/or elementary school library. I highly recommend this book.

This short picture book offers a realistic young child's perspective on a parent with bipolar disorder. In this book, children will recognize the behaviors of mania and depression, see ways parents need to take care of themselves with the disorder (like taking medicine or periodically staying at a treatment center), and learn that it is important to have a support system of other adults and to be able to acknowledge and discuss their feelings. The book stresses that the disorder (and the parent's behavior) is not the child's responsibility. All of these tasks are especially impressive given that the story does not mention bipolar disorder by name, although it is discussed in greater length in an FAQ-style appendix. Should be welcome for families affected by bipolar disorder and will also serve to educate other children unfamiliar with the condition. Includes cheerful, colorful illustrations. Preschool to Grade 2.

A child’s guide to managing the feelings of having a bipolar parent, in this case a mom. The text itself was well crafted to give kids language for a hard situation to talk about, but it still felt lacking somehow. Obviously this book can’t cover everything but it felt a little “missed the mark”.

I would definitely have this book in my classroom available to students . I think it is important for students to see characters as people that could exist in life and some children may identify with the story being told. I feel that it was discussed in a realistic, yet fragile way . The illustrations support the message..

Having 3 children of my own and being bipolar, this book touched home! My husband even reads it with us! I cannot recommend this book enough!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has a bipolar parent, this book really spoke to me. I would have loved to have this resource as a child and I am so happy that more and more topics like this are being normalized now, especially in children's picture books.

Up and Down Mom does a wonderful job of sharing what bipolar might look like and the rollercoaster of emotions that can accompany it. The text is matter of fact but also has a great balance of being relatable and compassionate.

As a child who experienced this same scenario, I especially appreciated how the author differentiated the mom's actions from the love they have with their child which can feel so confusing in those moments. This book spoke clearly to its target audience while also have a great section of helpful information at the end details that a child could discuss with a supportive adult in their life.

The illustrations are beautifully done and I highly recommend this. Not only is it approachable but it is a great reminder about all the other community and family supports a child can utilize and depend on. Thank you to NetGalley and Myrick Marketing for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the American version of Up and Down Mum and it's an excellent book for children of parents with Bipolar Disorder (or other mental illnesses). The child tells of her life with her mother and all of the things she loves about her mother but also some things that occasionally worry, embarrass or sadden her. Most of it is told matter-of-factly, just presented as her life. Her mother goes away sometimes to get back on balance and uses medication to stay on track. The illustrations are lively and fun, and the mother is presented as a fun and loving mother who just is different in some ways. The end gives more information about BPD.

The one thing I would change is that at the end the child says "I wouldn't have her any other way" and I think this could give kids the impression that they shouldn't wish that their parents didn't have these issues. It's okay for them to love their parents but also wish they didn't deal with mental illness. That said, this is a really wonderful resource that I highly recommend.

I read a temporary digital ARC for the purpose of review.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book is about a girl whose mother suffers from mental illness. May help a kid understand what is happening to a family member.