As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am always looking for resources to help families learn positive, productive ways to facilitate development and cope with developmental challenges. I have found a new, invaluable resource in Deborah Rose's book, "Josh Wears a Red Cape".

Ms. Rose has written from her heart, to share her son's journey as they struggled to find what would help her son, who ultimately receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The struggles, challenges, hopes and dreams she shares could just as easily be experienced by families dealing with other mental health issues.

While the book is written and illustrated in a light-hearted style for children, it addresses a difficulty, serious subject and can be just as helpful for adults to read. Families will find this a great book for reading with their child and discussing what happens to Josh.

Life can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a mental illness; we all need a red cape to provide strength in times of stress. This book can be a red cape for families.

Bipolar disorder affects over two million people in the United States alone. It is estimated that over sixty million people worldwide are afflicted with this often-crippling condition—it disrupts lives, breaks up families, and ruins careers.

Deborah Rose’s Joshua Wears a Red Cape is the true story of her son’s struggle with bipolar disorder, which threatened to ruin a promising young life and wreck his family. With wit and flair, Ms. Rose tells Joshua’s story from the start, with anecdotes from his childhood and young adulthood.

The layout and illustrations (by Suzi Eberhard) add a warmth and depth that enhances to the charm and tone of the book, and increase the impact of Josh’s story.

The book is targeted at kids and young adults, but I think it would be ideal for families who are either dealing with a bipolar family member or else parents who are trying to explain bipolar disorder to thier children. Ms. Rose’s words and Ms. Eberhard’s pictures lend a wonderful reality to the story of young Josh as his family struggles to understand him and give him their support and love—-it is a story that will certainly be informative, as well as entertaining, to anyone who wants to understand bipolar disorder.

My own family has dealt with many types of mental illness, and I would heartily recommend Joshua Wears a Red Cape for families and for people of all ages! Kudos to Ms. Rose for creating this important book!

I know how this looks. The author, the subject of the book, and now the dad writing a review?

Just read on for a moment.

The fact that we all reviewed this book should indicate how passionately we feel about people reading this story.

Mental illness is so misunderstood, all of us feel that the more people we can get to read and feel what we felt, the better off everyone can be.

The story is heartfelt, the illustrations are almost right out of the author's head. The book helps you see, and feel what everyone involved went through almost like you were there, too.

This truly is a great book.

I have to admit...at first i was skeptical about my mother writing a childrens book about my childhood. However, after reading this book and enjoying the story as well as the illustrations, I decided this book is great for people young and old. Very true to my childhood life, its almost kind of surreal looking back and trying to remember these things vividly. Despite how outlandish some of this story may seem, I will vouche for my mother (the author)...This story is 100% true and 100% enjoyable.

Thsi is a true story and one that has been shared many times verbally. Each time it was told, the impact on the listener was so remarkable, I decided I wanted to share this with anyone I could. You can also see part of Josh's story in the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children with Special Needs on page 26. I hope you are touched as others have been. Thank you.



The Author