LES HAUTS et LES BAS

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.

Doruntina Beqiraj is a children’s illustrator based in Toronto, Ontario. 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.

When she is not busy reading or leading historical walks as a volunteer, Isabelle Montagnier really enjoys translating children’s books, with a marked preference for stories that deal with important topics. Certified by ATIO and full member of LTAC, Isabelle lives in Toronto, Ontario.

"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."

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

"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

Nancy MacNairn est enseignante et auteure. Elle a travaillé en anglais et en français dans des écoles primaires et est passionnée de communication. Elle vit à Halifax, en Nouvelle-Écosse, près de son océan bien-aimé. Ce livre a été inspiré par son enfance aux côtés d’un parent atteint du trouble bipolaire.

Doruntina Beqiraj est illustratrice de livres pour enfants. Elle aime créer des personnages adorables et attachants tout en expérimentant avec des textures et des motifs. Son art est imprégné de la magie des moments de tous les jours. Elle vit à Toronto, en Ontario.

Lorsqu’elle n’est pas en train de lire ou d’animer bénévolement des visites guidées historiques, Isabelle Montagnier adore traduire des livres pour enfants, tout particulièrement ceux qui racontent des histoires poignantes. Membre agréée de l’ATIO et membre de plein droit de l’ATTLC, Isabelle habite à Toronto, en Ontario.

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.

Doruntina Beqiraj is a children’s illustrator based in Toronto, Ontario. 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.

When she is not busy reading or leading historical walks as a volunteer, Isabelle Montagnier really enjoys translating children’s books, with a marked preference for stories that deal with important topics. Certified by ATIO and full member of LTAC, Isabelle lives in Toronto, Ontario.