Lucy and Ben

Three-year-old Lucy and eight-year-old Ben live with their mother, who has bipolar depression. The book, which is semiautobiographical, shows how the children cope with their mother’s illness. In the beginning, Ben picks up the slack as their mother’s latest episode begins. Nana makes her entrance, and soon Mommy is in the hospital.

Nana is a strong character. She not only takes care of their physical needs but their psychological needs as well. She is there to hold things together with lots of love and understanding. Nana explains to Lucy in terms that Lucy can understand why Mommy is sick. She lets Ben express his anger and loneliness, soothing him as best as she can.

When it is time for Mommy to come home, Lucy is full of excitement and joy as she rides home from nursery school. She runs to her mother, elated that Mommy is home. Ben, however, is not so happy to see his mother as he gets off the school bus. He expresses his anger, and Mommy is quite understanding. Soon, he hugs her, and his anger begins to melt. There is a big family hug, and the healing begins.