Bipolar Bear and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Health Insurance: A Fable for Grownups

by Kathleen Founds

A graphic novel about navigating the US medical insurance system and receiving fair and adequate coverage for mental illness. Based on the author’s own experience in being treated for bipolar disorder.

Theodore is a bear with wild mood swings. When he is up, he carves epic poetry into tree trunks. When he is down, he paints sad faces on rocks and turtle shells. In search of prescription medications that will bring stability to his life, Theodore finds a job with health insurance benefits. He gets the meds, but when he can’t pay the psychiatrist’s bill, he becomes lost in the Labyrinth of Health Insurance Claims.

This witty and colorful tale follows the comical exploits of Theodore, a lovable and relatable bear, as he copes with bipolar disorder, navigates the inequities of capitalist society, founds a commune, and becomes an activist, all the while accompanied by a memorable cast of characters—fat-cat insurance CEOs, a wrongfully convicted snake, raccoons with tommy guns, and an unemployed old dog who cannot learn new tricks.

Entertaining, whimsical, and bitingly satirical, Bipolar Bear is a fable for grownups that manages the delicate balance of addressing society’s ills while simultaneously presenting a hopeful vision for the world.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Humor, Mental Health, Comics, Health, Nonfiction, Politics

200 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

I'm the author of the novel-in-stories WHEN MYSTICAL CREATURES ATTACK! and the graphic novel BIPOLAR BEAR & THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD HEALTH INSURANCE: A FABLE FOR GROWNUPS. Due to the themes of my work, if you are reading my bio, I figure there is a 20% chance that you are in a chasm of despair. If so, I made this website for you: https://www.depressionwhackamole.com/

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bear wanders out of the forest and into the morass of the American healthcare system.

Poor bear!

Poor us!


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter One. The Quest -- Chapter Two. The Labyrinth -- Chapter Three. The Lair -- Chapter Four. Crime & Punishment -- Chapter Five. The Forest -- Chapter Six. The Slough of Despond -- Epilogue -- Afterword -- Acknowledgements

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so awesome you should preorder it NOW! It’s sure to sell out once it’s in stores. I’m thrilled that I stumbled upon this book!
I love Bipolar Bear and the adventures with all of their friends. The artwork is fabulous and I’d love to have some of it framed. Hey Kathleen Founds! Ever thought of selling prints?
Thanks to graphic mundi, PSU Press, and Edelweiss for the advance copy. My opinions are my own.

[Ags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and bizarre. Loved the end reflection/essay from the artist/author. Entertaining (if, albeit, obvious) links between mental health concerns/treatment access and "radical" left political movements (e.g., prison abolition, single-payer health insurance, "subversive literature"). I liked that this story twists around. I especially liked the main villian's character arc. Really lovely depiction of social support during a major depressive episode.

This graphic novel is quite heavy handed, and at times I was like, "Okay, okay," (especially when the bear starts a commune), but it is a satire, so I shouldn't complain. The art style wasn't my preference, but also added to this feeling bizarre in a good way.

[Samson Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and wonderful author. The process of navigating the health care system was accurate and sad, however the follow up of becoming a revolutionary by reading subversive literature was great. The mental health and bipolar struggles of the bear were presented vividly

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Thank you to Graphic Mundi in connection with SLJ's Teen Live! programming for librarians for the eARC of this title. This in no way changed my rating**

I was intrigued by this title. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, needs medication to manage that, realizes the pitfalls of the American Healthcare system, and is fairly anti-capitalist, this should have been right up my alley. And while I think it makes a lot of good points and satirizes the system for it's ridiculousness and lack of empathy towards those with pre-existing conditions and mental health needs, the two things that held me back from loving this were:

1.) it's super long and preachy. The book is very hamfisted about the points it's trying to make and how it goes about teaching people to care more about this issue. I also don't love the idea that the robber baron cat who was robbing people blind moments before only cared when the situation personally affected him and that he presents the idea of single-payer/universal healthcare as an "evil" idea. I think this is just giving canon fodder to those who truly think it's an evil idea or is trying to appeal to both sides. I understand it's pointed out it's not evil, but it just seems like a weird thing.

2.) I CANNOT get over how the entire thing looks like it was drawn in crayon. Even the title of the book it parodied (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day) doesn't have drawings like this. I double checked to make sure that I wasn't missing the point or that it wasn't purposeful to the story. It's a weird choice, especially in an adult graphic novel, and it detracted from the already long story.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! I loved the contrast between the “children’s book” art style and the radical theorist references. It explains what being bipolar means really well, and illuminates just how needlessly frustrating needing help in our system is.

I especially loved the authors afterword section where she discusses the book in relation to her own experience. She writes about what the messaging throughout the story meant for her and I’m glad she provided that extended look into her ideas!

[Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the effort but eh

[Talmadgio D’Gulager · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25-4.5? Fantastic, hilarious, and unfortunately accurate. Would read more by this author

[Pierogi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vindicating and joyful read.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong - the message is important and I understand the struggle - but if you're are already having to deal with our shitty insurance why do you want to read a graphic novel about a badly drawn bear who is going through the same shit as you are?! There were a few comedic scenes but honestly... not my jam. It definitely highlights how broken our system is but it doesn't do much more than that.

[Nate Portnoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

worse than anything else it was boring

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Savannah Gray]

fuck the american healthcare system

“The system isn’t broken…it was designed that way” (pg. 82).

[Holly L'Heureux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a digital review copy of this book at the ALA conference. I really enjoyed reading about this in a childlike voice with adult ideas. It really drove the point home that the system is broken and we need to work on fixing it. One person who is suffering cannot fix it alone and the fact that Theodore found friends to help him through the sads really spoke to me on a personal level. great book. Would read again.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bipolar Bear employs creativity and humor to tackle the hope and despair of mental illness. The story provides poignant observations about the lack of support for the mentally ill told through the eyes of a lovable bear and his companions. The work arrives at a perfect time as countless individuals struggle to manage their mental health through the strain of a multi-year pandemic.

The author has a unique talent for addressing complex and uncomfortable topics while crafting a tale that leaves readers optimistic that things can and will get better. The author's quirky characters and witty dialogue make this a quick read but the powerful themes resonate long after the final page turn.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this ebook in a giveaway.

This was great. I'm not sure what I expected, but it was fun and funny and sad and frustrating and encouraging and ... I just really liked it.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We picked up this book because of the amusing title, but it is also a fantastic read. I am not bipolar, but my wife has dealt with depression for much of her life; the portrayal of the health care and insurance systems are incredibly accurate, even if they are primarily portrayed by anthropomorphic animals. It has a bit of humor to it as well, which is helpful because the state of things is truly atrocious.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already giggling about the title of this book just looking at the cover—which led to me purchasing it. I really enjoyed the layers of the message. With a title like this it’s no shock that the message is heavy-handed. I really liked the hopeful ending and showing the up and down realities of mental health issues. I definitely laughed throughout.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as I read this book.Many metaphors about our disastrous healthcare /insurance industry.
But I think the author is pretty genius, and I admire her courage in sharing her experiences with her mental health struggles in a way that is clever and accessible to many different types of readers.

[Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I’ve read different types of graphic medicine books (where health/healthcare meets comics), including at least another one with a cast of different animal characters, and this one was uniquely good.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shines a light on a critical issue in a cute and digestible fashion!

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/5/2022 Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

11/9/2022 (originally posted at TheFrumiousConsortium.net early on November 8th, Election Day)

As someone who has had the most frustrating experience with the United States' health insurance system -- my insurance company refused to pay for the $200+/month asthma medication my doctor prescribed because it can... also be used to treat COPD? Cigna is garbage -- I found this book deeply relatable.

Theodore Bear is bipolar, and wants to figure out how to manage the condition. A friend tells him about medication, and he decides that that sounds like a good idea. But in order to get pills, he'll have to get a job that pays him both money and health insurance, which requires that he put off getting treatment until he qualifies for that latter. Unsurprisingly, his mental state does not improve while he "proves" that he's "worthy" of getting health insurance. Finally being able to see a psychiatrist and get the prescriptions he needs feels like a massive achievement because, frankly, it is.

And then he gets the medical bills. Theodore has to navigate a labyrinth of bureaucracy in order to figure out why he owes so much money, even with insurance. The answer further aggravates his mental state, sending him into a spiral that finally lands him in debtor's prison. Fortunately, he soon acquires a network of friends who rally with him to fight back against the oppressive system and attempt to make meaningful change for everyone, including poor Theodore himself.

Anyone who's been at the mercy of the US' byzantine for-profit health insurance system will find themselves nodding along grimly at the scenes depicted in this book. It is utterly bizarre that one of the richest countries in the world so stridently espouses the idea that healthcare should only go to people considered worthy, which for the most part means the capitalism-approved "productive" members of society and those lucky enough to be their dependents. Progressive politicians and their supporters are working to fix this injustice but the sheer number of empathy-deficient jerkfaces trying to stop us is equal parts bewildering and infuriating.

This graphic novel does a great job of initiating the uninformed as to the true cost of our broken system. It can be rather granola, but the depiction of Theodore's highs and lows are outstandingly visceral. The illustrations are simple, seeming to rely on materials easily available to the average elementary schooler, but serve to underscore how basic the struggle for healthcare really is.

I'm hoping that this book eventually becomes a relic, a depiction of a terrible time long past. In the meantime, I hope it's used to rally readers against the injustice of the current system, and motivate them to keep up the pressure on ensuring reform. Random aside: Kathleen was the name of my first teddy bear.

Also, hey, fellow US citizens, if you haven't voted yet, you still have time today! Shoot, you even have time to research the issues before going to your polling places. Check your voter registration and polling information at Vote.org. Your vote can make a difference!

Bipolar Bear And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Health Insurance: A Fable For Grownups by Kathleen Founds was published November 1 2022 by Graphic Mundi and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

[Crispy Date · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, I thought this was going to be another heartfelt yet clichéd book explaining mental health issues in an overly inspirational way. But the “bipolar bear” pun was too clever—I completely missed the reference to insurance in the title! I absolutely loved the parody following Theodore through the absurd loops of health insurance and fighting for basic care, all while forming a utopian community. Just like an adult fable starring talking animals.

Through Theodore’s journey, the book cleverly and hilariously highlights the inequities and nonsense of the current healthcare system. I loved the evil insurance mongrel cat’s “offer” to make Theodore into a rug, drink his blood and mount his head on the wall—as decor, of course! And Theodore’s naive “This is an offer?” in response almost made me think he was a new grad in today's gloomy post-pandemic job market.

The art is as whimsical and colourful as the story. While the cover hides most of the whimsical illustrations inside, it doesn't really show the colourful, nicely drawn soft touches, smooth looking crayons or colourful pencils used for the scenes inside.

Bipolar Bear subverts any expectations of an “inspirational” tale on mental health issues. This delightfully clever fable will appeal to all, from the casual reader to the more politically-minded. The combination of humor and heart make this memorable work that sheds much-needed light on important issues in the most entertaining of ways.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great suggestion for anyone struggling to navigate the US health "care" system-- not just mental-health-related, but readers with any chronic illness will know all the parts of this story. Read along with Shut Up and Feel: An Adult Picture Book on Emotions. This would be a great choice as a book group pick, say, at a library that's hosting a travelling exhibit like NNLM's Care & Custody!

I received digital copy of this book from the publisher, as part of LibraryCon Live! 2024.

[kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read the first 20 pages yesterday and finished the rest in one sitting today
it was cute and i liked the message but it went on for a bit too long, nearly 200 pages
i saw this book in a barnes and nobles and read one page (the page where theodore goes to the pharmacy for the first time & the pharmacist tells him he needs a job for health insurance) and i ended up requesting it from the library. i wish i had enjoyed it more than i did
i like the concept of “a fable for grownups” there should be more books written/illustrated as a child’s book but discuss adult topics
debating whether i should even log this/have this contribute to my reading goal but then again i did log the polar express last year and that took me like 10 minutes to read so i might as well

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The literal drawings of complex issues facing the American healthcare system shed light on the absurdity of it all. There are literal fat cats atop piles of gold. This bear lives in a dumpster because you can't pay rent without a job and you can't get a job without an address. Aside from all the spot-on humor + picture book drawings, the end of the story absolutely floored me. Bipolar bear is not magically cured by health care and pharmaceuticals because while they help, they don't fix all the problems. It's still hard and that's okay. Absolutely recommend to anyone who has ever struggled with mental health and/or insurance.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Graphic Mundi through the Publishers Weekly Grab a Galley Contest.
Humorous look at a frustrating situation faced by so many when dealing with health insurance. Readers meet Theodore, a bear who suffers from mental health issues but has no way to treat them without insurance. We follow his journey through being diagnosed, getting help, discovering insurance won't pay for what he needs, and then the challenges of speaking with someone at the insurance agency for assistance.
A sadly realistic look through this fable by Founds.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good things here, including an accurate crayon depiction of bipolar disorder and depression, the labyrinth of health insurance claims, and the unproductive optimism of activism. It's also disjointed with childish art (yes I know it's a style but it doesn't come off as child-like, it's unpolished) and doesn't skewer the health insurance industry as much as you'd expect. I'd hoped for more.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a mental disorder really sucks, navigating health insurance sucks more.

I was really happy that the book offered more than the joke of the cover - some lovely characters, a little plot, and some actionable ideas. It's also nice to know that your own mental health journey mirrors someone else's so cool, I'm not alone!!

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun but depressing realistic read. My biggest qualm is the lack of resources. I think a few simple phone numbers and websites to help people going through their own real-life issues would've helped put this over the top for me.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally got an e-galley from Edelweiss but wasn't able to download & read it in time (or the file expired). However, this was a good intro to the struggle to getting mental health treatment in the US through the insurance system, etc.