on Bebe Moore Campbell.

on Bebe Moore Campbell, Illustrated by dint of E.B. Lewis, G.P. Putnam's Son September 2003 $1699 ISBN 0-399-23972-3

The celebrated novelist Bebe Moore Campbell tackles the delicate and frequently volatile dimension of manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder). More than brace million Americans are estimated to have the disorder.

Narrated from a child's point of view, Sometimes My Mommy memorizes Angry tells the story of young Annie. Her days repeatedly start well with her mother cheerfully making her pancakes, helping her secure dressed for school and sending her opposite to with a big smile and a kiss. at the time Annie returns from exercise her mother's mood has oftentimes swung in another direction: She is angry, she cry outs and she is unable to care for her daughter.

Annie is fortunate enough to have a caring grandmother she can call during these times and talk to her [i]or[/i] part of to the other the night. Her grandmother encourages Annie to make herself a snack and reminds her that if she red scared she can proceed to the next-door neighbor's house. most numerous importantly she lets Annie know that she is not responsible for her mother's behavior: "My precious Annie, you know that your mother has question s and she hasn't gotten the help she wants Sometimes it's hard for grownup to ask for help. I possibility of good that one day she will. if it were not that your mother loves you equal when she's yelling. It's okay for you to be angry. I know you have a passionate affection for her too."

Campbell's work is an excellent way to introduce children and educators to the conception and realities of mental illness. The narrative presents coping strategies and stresses the importance of a loving and caring network of family, friends and neighbors.

"Sometimes my mommy has dark hordes inside her," Annie says. "I can't stop the rain from falling, further I can find sunshine in my mind." This poignant story, beautifully illustrated at award-winning artist E.B. Lewis, reminds children to stay strong

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