Ups and Downs

Ups and Downs by Nancy MacNairn and Doruntina Beqiraj is an autobiographical story about bipolar disorder.

Mom has ups and downs. Some nights are up nights and she is singing, working out and doing laundry. Some days are down days, where she is sleeping so much it’s hard to wake her up. Through all the ups and downs, mom’s love is never in question.

I love that readers now have access to so many different stories featuring different families and a variety of topics that would never have been written about when I was a young reader. In this story, Nancy MacNairn shares a little bit about her childhood living with a mother with bipolar disorder. Many readers would be living in the same circumstances, with adults in their lives who face the daily struggle of the ups and downs. Through this story, readers will feel seen and comforted by the children in the story and the reminder that even through all of the ups and downs, love is still the anchor. The story is honest while also not making readers afraid or hesitant.

Doruntina Beqiraj’s illustrations are wonderful, reflecting the sadness and anger in the children as well as the love in the family. Her pictures feel like a warm embrace, even when the days are down, readers can feel comfort throughout the story thanks to the wonderful, colourful illustrations.