• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

A young girl weathers the highs and lows of daily life with her mother, who has Bipolar Disorder. Her mother’s moods affect her and her brother deeply, and sometimes it can be hard. But she never doubts her mother’s love for a second.

Inspired by the author's own experience growing up with a parent with Bipolar Disorder. The author addresses this in her Author's Note and talks about the number of people affected by this mental illness in North America, making this a great conversation starter and resource for families.

Nancy MacNairn is a teacher and writer. She taught Elementary School for many years in English and French. She is a passionate communicator who lives by her beloved ocean in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This book was inspired by her own experience of growing up with a parent who had Bipolar Disorder.

Nancy MacNairn's profile page

Doruntina is a children’s illustrator based in Toronto, Canada. She has a passion for creating warm and charming characters and enjoys experimenting with textures and patterns. Her art is inspired by the magic of everyday moments.

Doruntina Beqiraj's profile page

"UPS and DOWNS is a beautifully illustrated picture book….It is great to see books being published that tackle the subject of mental health with sensitivity and that these books are being made available to schools, daycares, and libraries. UPS and DOWNS by Nancy MacNairn is a wonderful educational tool to help children understand Bipolar Disorder or to understand what their peers may be experiencing at home and that their “normal” may be quite different."

The Miramichi Reader

"This picture book highlights the struggles but also presents the love between the girl and her mother…This book uses gentle and vivid words, illustrations, and plain language to tell a beautiful story. I believe all readers can gain knowledge and understanding about this disease. I loved Ups and Downs because it presents a diverse portrait of being a mother… This book helps readers break down the “perfect mother” stereotype, showing that love is the most important thing between a mother and her children."

Highly Recommended, 5 stars

CM Reviews of Materials

“This is a very important book about mental health issues that young people can learn about and think about.”

Dr. Larry Recommends