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Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry
Some mornings, Annie's mother's smiles are as bright as sunshine as she makes pancakes for breakfast and helps Annie get ready for school. But other days, her mother doesn't smile at all and gets very angry. Those days Annie has to be a big girl and make her own breakfast, and even put herself to bed at night. But Annie's grandma helps her remember what to do when her mommy isn't well, and her silly friends are there to cheer her up. And no matter what, Annie knows that even when Mommy is angry on the outside, on the inside she never stops loving her.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Bebe Moore Campbell
41 books312 followersBebe Moore Campbell (February 18, 1950 – November 27, 2006), was the author of three New York Times bestsellers, Brothers and Sisters, Singing in the Comeback Choir, and What You Owe Me, which was also a Los Angeles Times "Best Book of 2001". Her other works include the novel Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and the winner of the NAACP Image Award for Literature; her memoir, Sweet Summer, Growing Up With and Without My Dad; and her first nonfiction book, Successful Women, Angry Men: Backlash in the Two-Career Marriage. Her essays, articles, and excerpts appear in many anthologies.
Campbell's interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The book tells the story of how a little girl copes with being reared by her mentally ill mother. Ms. Campbell was a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a founding member of NAMI-Inglewood. Her book 72 Hour Hold also deals with mental illness. Her first play, "Even with the Madness", debuted in New York in June 2003. This work revisited the theme of mental illness and the family.
As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, as well as other publications. She was a regular commentator for Morning Edition a program on National Public Radio.
(from Wikipedia)
Campbell's interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The book tells the story of how a little girl copes with being reared by her mentally ill mother. Ms. Campbell was a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and a founding member of NAMI-Inglewood. Her book 72 Hour Hold also deals with mental illness. Her first play, "Even with the Madness", debuted in New York in June 2003. This work revisited the theme of mental illness and the family.
As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, as well as other publications. She was a regular commentator for Morning Edition a program on National Public Radio.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 9, 2011
I debated between giving this book 3 and 4 stars. It's a beautifully written and illustrated book about the experiences of a little girl as she deals with her mother's widely varying moods. The mother's illness is never specified, but is likely bipolar disorder. What I liked about this book is the very real sense of the child's experience of not knowing, when she goes home, which kind of mom she'll have: an excited, loving mom, or an angry, emotionally abusive mom. What I disliked is the fact that the neighbors and grandmother had just accepted the situation. They provided emotional support to the girl, but there was no evidence in the book that they were trying to do anything involving confronting the mom about the effect her illness had on her daughter or helping her get treatment. On the one hand, this book reinforces the resilience of kids who really are really in a situation like this. Hope. On the other hand, it suggests that's all there is to do. Hopeless. This mixed-up message really bugged me.
As a clinician, I'd be more likely to use this book with a parent, as part of the confrontation about when parents should get help for the sake of the child, even if they won't do it for themselves. I'd be more reluctant to use it with a child, unless I could also discuss some other alternatives for dealing with the situation.
As a clinician, I'd be more likely to use this book with a parent, as part of the confrontation about when parents should get help for the sake of the child, even if they won't do it for themselves. I'd be more reluctant to use it with a child, unless I could also discuss some other alternatives for dealing with the situation.
February 24, 2009
This book breaks my heart but I think it is so needed. I have not found a lot out there to explain to a child about a parent with depression or anger issues and this one covers that. It does not solve the childs problem either it just gives them ideas to help cope. Ages 4+
November 27, 2021
I was very impressed with this book and its sensitivity and insight into the life of a child who lives with a parent with mental illness. The plot line follows Annie through her normal day of school and friends, demonstrating the days she starts the day with a lovely fun loving parent and ends it with an angry hurtful one. The contrast of the normal daily life, then needing to care for yourself at home is a reality that many children face. Instead of the story line involving a rescue or the character being taken to another happier existence, Annie deals with the real emotions of the reality that faces her. She calls a grandmother and then is coached through how to deal with taking care of herself. The coping skills that are communicated don't take away the sadness that a child has to experience these things, but they enable the reader to understand that Annie is empowered by being able to take care of herself. In the end Annie communicates to the reader that while her mom has times when she is sad, Annie can still have times with friends where she can "find sunshine in her mind."
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February 20, 2015Personal Reaction: I enjoyed reading this book because as a reader, I was able to understand how Annie felt since the story was told from her point of view. I really liked the illustrations as well because they truly revealed the emotions of the characters. An example is Annie saying, "Sometimes my mommy has dark clouds inside her. I can't stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind" with a detailed illustration of her sticking her tongue out and holding a huge umbrella.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 1-2 graders for multiple reasons:
-Understanding of people's different struggles; for example, Annie's mother who has mood swings, or Annie who has to be self-sufficient and has grown up at an early age
-Illustrations: discuss how the illustrations tell us how the characters are feeling; for example, when Annie is shown curled up in the corner of her bedroom, or when Annie's mother is shown scowling at Annie
Curriculum: Read aloud
-discussion of dialogue
-Discuss characters: Annie is a dynamic character because she learns how to deal with her mother's mood swings and she is forced to grow up at such a young age. Annie's mother is a round character because her mood is constantly changing from happy to angry.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 1-2 graders for multiple reasons:
-Understanding of people's different struggles; for example, Annie's mother who has mood swings, or Annie who has to be self-sufficient and has grown up at an early age
-Illustrations: discuss how the illustrations tell us how the characters are feeling; for example, when Annie is shown curled up in the corner of her bedroom, or when Annie's mother is shown scowling at Annie
Curriculum: Read aloud
-discussion of dialogue
-Discuss characters: Annie is a dynamic character because she learns how to deal with her mother's mood swings and she is forced to grow up at such a young age. Annie's mother is a round character because her mood is constantly changing from happy to angry.
October 26, 2010
I believe this book is a soft introduction to a parent's depression. I wouldn't share this with a child without first settling aside time to discuss it's contents. It lightly touches a serious subject. Best shared with a child by a village member who can offer consistent support.
November 26, 2018
Describes the problem, but offers no real solutions.
Originally published on http://www.drttmk.com.
I'm conflicted about this book. I haven't been around anybody with untreated bipolar disorder (which, according to the author's note, is what this book is supposed to depict the mother as having), but given some anecdotal evidence from friends, the mother's behavior is not very common for those who suffer from bipolar, and seems more like someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.
The main character of the book is a girl named Annie. At the beginning, her mother is making her pancakes for her breakfast. "My mommy speaks very fast." So she's probably manic? Then there's a whole section where Annie goes to school and her friends who walk to school with her like to prank her, and other things which are rather unrelated to her relationship with her mother. She draws a picture in school of her mom feeding her pancakes.
When she comes home, she calls to her mother from outside the door, "Mommy! Come see my picture!" and the first thing that her mother says when she opens the door is, "STOP ALL THAT SCREAMING... GET IN THIS HOUSE NOW!" She accuses the neighbor of spying on her. Annie asks her mother to stop yelling, adding "But I know that she can't stop... She needs a timeout chair." She goes inside and calls her grandmother, saying, "Mommy is yelling again... Why does she get so angry? She was nice this morning. I didn't do anything bad." Her grandmother assures her that it's not her fault, saying that her mother "has problems, and that she hasn't gotten the help she needs," adding, "I hope that one day she will."
Annie basically has to make dinner for herself, which seems to be her "secret snack," consisting of raisins, peanut butter crackers, juice, and pudding. Her grandmother reminds her to "Think happy thoughts," and hopes that "Maybe tomorrow your mother will feel better." In the morning, her mother still isn't feeling better, so she gets herself ready for school and makes her own breakfast.
Annie is maybe in third grade, at the oldest. Her school still has a time out chair, and she draws pictures in class of "something happy." This is a very sad situation. I was touched by her life and the fact that she has to take care of herself when she's clearly not old enough to be given that responsibility. But it's not a happy ending. She just stays in the situation, thinking "happy thoughts," hoping that tomorrow will be better. There's nothing actionable here for people in similar situations. There's no suggestions of things that people witnessing this can do. Her grandmother is implied to be local to her, and she hasn't stepped in to stop what can be described as neglect of this child.
This book deals with a subject that is rather rare in picture books. But I'm not sure who it's aimed at. A better book on the same topic might have the mother actively seeking treatment, and asking Annie to tell her if she starts backsliding. Annie might ask her mother if she remembered to take her medicine. Annie's mother might apologize for past behavior, and seek to improve in her future actions. Annie's mother might, as people with bipolar sometimes do, decide to stop taking her medicine because if she's manic she feels fine, and Annie might remind her why she needs it. Annie's grandmother might step in if Annie's mother acts poorly for a day, and help with raising Annie.
Somebody needs to step in for this child. Clearly, she has people who love her (and I'm not suggesting that her mother doesn't love her, just that she can't competently raise her when she clearly can't take care of herself), and those people are staying at a distance, seemingly in fear of upsetting the mother. People are walking on eggshells, pretending that there isn't a problem, when they could be working to find a solution. If Annie's mother has too many of these episodes, the grandmother may need to try to get partial custody until she gets help for herself. This is a tragic story, but it's almost presented as if it's a normal way of life.
Message: Some parents have mental illness.
Originally published on http://www.drttmk.com.
I'm conflicted about this book. I haven't been around anybody with untreated bipolar disorder (which, according to the author's note, is what this book is supposed to depict the mother as having), but given some anecdotal evidence from friends, the mother's behavior is not very common for those who suffer from bipolar, and seems more like someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.
The main character of the book is a girl named Annie. At the beginning, her mother is making her pancakes for her breakfast. "My mommy speaks very fast." So she's probably manic? Then there's a whole section where Annie goes to school and her friends who walk to school with her like to prank her, and other things which are rather unrelated to her relationship with her mother. She draws a picture in school of her mom feeding her pancakes.
When she comes home, she calls to her mother from outside the door, "Mommy! Come see my picture!" and the first thing that her mother says when she opens the door is, "STOP ALL THAT SCREAMING... GET IN THIS HOUSE NOW!" She accuses the neighbor of spying on her. Annie asks her mother to stop yelling, adding "But I know that she can't stop... She needs a timeout chair." She goes inside and calls her grandmother, saying, "Mommy is yelling again... Why does she get so angry? She was nice this morning. I didn't do anything bad." Her grandmother assures her that it's not her fault, saying that her mother "has problems, and that she hasn't gotten the help she needs," adding, "I hope that one day she will."
Annie basically has to make dinner for herself, which seems to be her "secret snack," consisting of raisins, peanut butter crackers, juice, and pudding. Her grandmother reminds her to "Think happy thoughts," and hopes that "Maybe tomorrow your mother will feel better." In the morning, her mother still isn't feeling better, so she gets herself ready for school and makes her own breakfast.
Annie is maybe in third grade, at the oldest. Her school still has a time out chair, and she draws pictures in class of "something happy." This is a very sad situation. I was touched by her life and the fact that she has to take care of herself when she's clearly not old enough to be given that responsibility. But it's not a happy ending. She just stays in the situation, thinking "happy thoughts," hoping that tomorrow will be better. There's nothing actionable here for people in similar situations. There's no suggestions of things that people witnessing this can do. Her grandmother is implied to be local to her, and she hasn't stepped in to stop what can be described as neglect of this child.
This book deals with a subject that is rather rare in picture books. But I'm not sure who it's aimed at. A better book on the same topic might have the mother actively seeking treatment, and asking Annie to tell her if she starts backsliding. Annie might ask her mother if she remembered to take her medicine. Annie's mother might apologize for past behavior, and seek to improve in her future actions. Annie's mother might, as people with bipolar sometimes do, decide to stop taking her medicine because if she's manic she feels fine, and Annie might remind her why she needs it. Annie's grandmother might step in if Annie's mother acts poorly for a day, and help with raising Annie.
Somebody needs to step in for this child. Clearly, she has people who love her (and I'm not suggesting that her mother doesn't love her, just that she can't competently raise her when she clearly can't take care of herself), and those people are staying at a distance, seemingly in fear of upsetting the mother. People are walking on eggshells, pretending that there isn't a problem, when they could be working to find a solution. If Annie's mother has too many of these episodes, the grandmother may need to try to get partial custody until she gets help for herself. This is a tragic story, but it's almost presented as if it's a normal way of life.
Message: Some parents have mental illness.
October 12, 2019
I originally ran across this book at a bookstore I worked at. I was a little shocked by the title at first, but the children’s book buyer explained that it’s helpful for a lot of children who live with mental illness. Now that I’ve had some experience of that myself, I decided to look at it again. The book is beautifully illustrated, and the writing is simple yet poignant, with dialogue that is true to life. It’s an excellent reminder that the feelings that come with living with illness are shared, and that there is support available to those who reach out for it.
March 27, 2017
Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry is a story about mental illness in Black families and the young children who have to live with someone who has one. In this story, Annie lives with her mother who is bi-polar. With the help of her grandmother and friends, she overcomes trying times when her mother goes through another episode. I think this book is great for any child who’s caregiver has a mental illness because it may remind them that they are not alone. This book is a great representation of those children who may live with someone with a mental illness, especially in Back families where this topic is not heavily talked about, although it should be. As someone who lives with a family member who has a mental illness, I know this book may have helped when I was younger and trying to understand my family member's situation.
December 30, 2017
The story offers an opportunity to see -- from the perspective of a child -- a parent's struggles with mental illness (in this case bipolar disorder) within a family context, the role of support systems for children and families (extended family, friends, neighbors, etc.), and how one family puts into action a plan to support a child who lives with a struggling parent. The book is sensitive, but also honest.
April 2, 2021
This book was written simply but has an AMAZING message. It might just be my new favourite book.
January 17, 2025
Beautifully written book. One of my favorite authors!
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December 7, 2017Oof. Filling a necessary niche— talking to kids who have parents (and specifically single parents) with untreated bipolar disorder— but this one is tough. It's trying hard to find positive things, and showing how to make your own support structure, but this little girl is in a tough situation. Definitely a teaching/therapy book, not a general-audience situation.
December 29, 2020
Child with a mother who suffers from bipolar disorder. Really well done.
November 8, 2016
Age: Grades 1-3 (5-8 years old)
Summary:"Sometimes Mommy Gets Angry", is about a little girl named Annie coping with her mother's anger issues from day to day as she is forced to take care of herself. In this book, Annie is always trying her hardest to stay positive when her mother lashes out on her for no reason. Annie is shown to be the most reasonable character in comparison to her and her mother when she has to calm her mother down when she starts going off on people because of her disorder.Annie usually calls her grandmother to help her cope with her mother's issues and her grandmother always ensures her that her mother loves her and to think happy thoughts.
Theme: There will always be somewhere there for you when you need them and parents have problems just like children.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed this book and felt that the illustrations for this book really added a lot to the meaning of the book. I feel that the book was sometimes confusing the way the author worded many things and I advise that a parent read this book instead of allowing the child to read this book alone. I like how the author included the part with Annie's grandmother comforting her because I feel it made the book more relatable being that most grandmothers have that nurturing love when it comes to their grandchildren. I also enjoyed the author showing how Annie has to be a "big girl"by making her own breakfast and combing her own hair.The Author used a wonderful quote to use to end the book:" I can't stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind." This quote emphasizes that some bad things will happen that you can't control but if you keep a positive mindset; everything will be alright.
Recommendations: This book will be a good read aloud for children who are having similar problems at home and feel they have no one to talk to, this a good book to help with coping and thinking positive thoughts.
Key Quote: "I can't stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind."
Summary:"Sometimes Mommy Gets Angry", is about a little girl named Annie coping with her mother's anger issues from day to day as she is forced to take care of herself. In this book, Annie is always trying her hardest to stay positive when her mother lashes out on her for no reason. Annie is shown to be the most reasonable character in comparison to her and her mother when she has to calm her mother down when she starts going off on people because of her disorder.Annie usually calls her grandmother to help her cope with her mother's issues and her grandmother always ensures her that her mother loves her and to think happy thoughts.
Theme: There will always be somewhere there for you when you need them and parents have problems just like children.
Personal Response: I really enjoyed this book and felt that the illustrations for this book really added a lot to the meaning of the book. I feel that the book was sometimes confusing the way the author worded many things and I advise that a parent read this book instead of allowing the child to read this book alone. I like how the author included the part with Annie's grandmother comforting her because I feel it made the book more relatable being that most grandmothers have that nurturing love when it comes to their grandchildren. I also enjoyed the author showing how Annie has to be a "big girl"by making her own breakfast and combing her own hair.The Author used a wonderful quote to use to end the book:" I can't stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind." This quote emphasizes that some bad things will happen that you can't control but if you keep a positive mindset; everything will be alright.
Recommendations: This book will be a good read aloud for children who are having similar problems at home and feel they have no one to talk to, this a good book to help with coping and thinking positive thoughts.
Key Quote: "I can't stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind."
January 29, 2017
“I can’t stop the rain from falling, but I can find sunshine in my mind”. Living with a parent who struggles with a mental illness may force you to mature a lot faster than other children you age. Young Annie sometimes gets happy mommy but could also get angry mommy, either way she still loves her mom. When things get scary Annie knows exactly what to do, call grandma, or go over to the neighbor’s and wait for her grandma there. In the end Annie stays strong and happy.
I give Sometime My Mommy Gets Angry 5 stars. This is my first time seeing a children’s book tackle such a heavy topic without glorifying it or over complicating it. This story stays true to the topic of living with a parent who struggles from a mental illness but doesn't scare its audience. I may have teared up at the end but I wouldn’t have wanted this story to be told any other way. The illustrator also illustrated I Love My Hair! and uses these big painted scenes to help the reader envision the story.
Having this book in a classroom followed by a permitted discussion on mental illness should be part of the curriculum. Mental illness is being talked about more and more with the ever so growing social media platforms, so introducing children to the topic young can end so much misinformation.
I give Sometime My Mommy Gets Angry 5 stars. This is my first time seeing a children’s book tackle such a heavy topic without glorifying it or over complicating it. This story stays true to the topic of living with a parent who struggles from a mental illness but doesn't scare its audience. I may have teared up at the end but I wouldn’t have wanted this story to be told any other way. The illustrator also illustrated I Love My Hair! and uses these big painted scenes to help the reader envision the story.
Having this book in a classroom followed by a permitted discussion on mental illness should be part of the curriculum. Mental illness is being talked about more and more with the ever so growing social media platforms, so introducing children to the topic young can end so much misinformation.
April 22, 2014
A picture book about a child living with a parent with mental illness. The reader doesn't know what illness the mother has, but we know that sometimes the mother is happy and then her mood changes as the day goes.
Honestly, the mothers' behavior is not solely indicative of a mental illness. I am sure there are kids that have grown up with parents that get mad for no reason. But the young child, Annie, has dealt with her mothers' behavior before and she knows what to do when it occurs. In the morning it is raining. I have to be a big girl again. I comb my hair, put on my clothes and make my own cereal. She has a grandmother that talks her through it, although I found it odd that the grandmother, knowing that the mother has mental issues, didn't come to her granddaughters rescue. I guess leaving her there teaches her how to become self reliant and self sufficient. Even her neighbors are supportive. Her friend Jamine says, Our mom said it's okay for you to come to our house after school. The grandmother even tells her to go to another neighbors house if the moms' behavior gets worse.
I guess if you are dealing with kids that have no understanding of what their parents get angry about, this would be a helpful book. One can only hope that at least a neighbor would be willing to help.
Honestly, the mothers' behavior is not solely indicative of a mental illness. I am sure there are kids that have grown up with parents that get mad for no reason. But the young child, Annie, has dealt with her mothers' behavior before and she knows what to do when it occurs. In the morning it is raining. I have to be a big girl again. I comb my hair, put on my clothes and make my own cereal. She has a grandmother that talks her through it, although I found it odd that the grandmother, knowing that the mother has mental issues, didn't come to her granddaughters rescue. I guess leaving her there teaches her how to become self reliant and self sufficient. Even her neighbors are supportive. Her friend Jamine says, Our mom said it's okay for you to come to our house after school. The grandmother even tells her to go to another neighbors house if the moms' behavior gets worse.
I guess if you are dealing with kids that have no understanding of what their parents get angry about, this would be a helpful book. One can only hope that at least a neighbor would be willing to help.
February 19, 2014
I really loved this book. It follows a young girl through a few days in her life living with a mother with an unnamed mental illness. Her mother displays symptoms that could be related to depression, bipolar, or drug addiction, but I like how it doesn't say specifically, because the title wouldn't be that important to a child. This way children of parents with a broad range of problems can still identify with the theme of having a parent who's struggling and not always able to provide care by themselves. This book talks about community and love and acknowledges the negative while focusing on the positives in an unpleasant situation. It deals with a scary and dry/factual subject through a personal story. It also features a great African-American protagonist. I thought the watercolors illustrations were very nice and they really brought the words to life. This is a book elementary students could read by themselves but also a book pre-K/elementary age children could read with a teacher or caregiver as well.
January 14, 2012
Annie is a strong, independent little girl. Sometimes her mother is happy but sometimes her mother gets angry. Annie has learned how to cope with her mommy's mood swings. She calls her grandmother for support, she thinks happy thoughts, gets her own food, takes a bath, and pretty much cares for herself.
While this story might seem sad, it is an honest representation of what hundreds (probably more) of children learn to do when they have a parent with a mental health issue (depression, bipolar, anxiety, etc). This is an excellent book to use as a means to process with a child about how they are feeling. It is important for children to know that their parent still loves even when they are angry and this book does a nice of job presenting this idea in a non-cheesy way.
The story is well-written and the illustrations captures the many emotions that children might be feeling.
While this story might seem sad, it is an honest representation of what hundreds (probably more) of children learn to do when they have a parent with a mental health issue (depression, bipolar, anxiety, etc). This is an excellent book to use as a means to process with a child about how they are feeling. It is important for children to know that their parent still loves even when they are angry and this book does a nice of job presenting this idea in a non-cheesy way.
The story is well-written and the illustrations captures the many emotions that children might be feeling.
November 8, 2011
No child should have to be as independent as the little girl in this book, but many children do have to deal with their parents being unhappy at some point and it is very easy for them to blame themselves for the way their parents are acting. This book makes it so children who have to go through this realize that they are not alone and they are able to deal with what is going on better. This book is good for children in elementary school who are about the same age as the little girl. It is hard for children to understand why their children may have the problems they do, but hearing in the book to "think happy thoughts" may make things a whole lot better.
July 20, 2015
"Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry" is about a little girl who has a mother with a bipolar disorder. The little girl learns to find happiness by being around her friends and grandmother. This book has white space behind the texts to emphasize what is going on in the story. This helps the reader understand that the pictures are representing what is said in the texts. I would have an older child read this book because some of the words used are not real words. So, I would not want a younger child to get confused. I would read this book to teach the importance of understanding that children come from different homes and lifestyles.
April 28, 2012
Although this was a difficult, emotional read, it is very indicative of the types of situations with which many of today's children are facing and coping. Consequently, many teachers are having to deal with the aftermath caused by the children bringing those problems to school. I wouldn't read this to an entire class unless a specific incident occurred which warranted using this book as a tool for initiating discussion. But I would read it to an affected child or provide a copy to the school counselor or psychologist. Very touching book.
May 5, 2015
This is an excellent book for children because it reinforces that even though "Mommy gets angry" she always loves you, and there are people around you who will help you when you need it. In our case, I'm the Nana who can be reached for help.I am a little resistant to the characterization of the mommy as angry/violent-- but the pics are beautiful, the message (of others chipping in) is good, and, as long as people recognize this is just one type of experience with bipolar disorder, I recommend it.
March 27, 2015
A beautifully drawn book, this realistic fiction story depicts the realities of living not only with one parent, but with a disabled parent. The main character is shown coping with her mother's manic behavior, coasting on the up days, struggling to stay afloat on the bad days. Many children can connect to this due to the rise of mental illness in the community. Other children are just raised by single parents, and it's okay. I'd read this book aloud up through third grade.
May 17, 2016
This book has helped us so much in explaining a mentally ill parent's behavior to foster/adoptive kids. The story moves a little slowly, but I give it 5 stars because it's pretty much the only book of its kind. It emphasizes that mental instability is not the child's fault, and does not use specific diagnoses or terminology (the mom in the story behaves like someone with bipolar or schizophrenia but these are not mentioned).
January 25, 2012
In this book, the little girl's mother goes from happy to angry seemingly without reason. When her mother is angry, the little girl has to remember she's not mad at her. To cope, she calls her grandmother. I liked the story but probably wouldn't read it to my students unless we had an issue come up in the classroom about it.
October 17, 2016
This book really made me understand Annie's point of view. The illustrations also really revealed the emotions of the characters. I'm torn on whether or not to have it in my classroom because it may be too dark for some, but for others, it may be beneficial. However, I can't deny how beautifully written the story is and how it captures the emotions many children feel when put in this situation.
January 26, 2012
A sad story about a young girl living with a mother who is bipolar. The young girl has learned how to take care of herself and always thinks happy thoughts when her mother is having a bad day. Another book not meant for all audiences.
December 10, 2012
this book has very good dialogue and illustrations. it talks about a strong independent young girl dealing with her what seems to be bipolar mother. however i would not have this book in my class because of the mother screaming at her daughter throughout the book.
October 18, 2016
This is a great book to include in a classroom library to address issues of mental illness. While not always a comfortable topic, some students may appreciate the support and understanding for what they are facing at home.
October 18, 2016
Beautifully written story about a child dealing with a mother with bipolar disorder. I would not recommend reading aloud to the class because it can be a bit dark, but it might help students with parents with a psychological disorder.
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