New Books for Children about Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury can result in confusing and frightening changes in a parent. Children already under the stress of a parent’s deployment face new fears when a mother or father is injured. This story book helps children understand the wounds of war and their emotions and reactions to the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral changes in their mother or father. Based on the author’s experience with her children when their father sustained a traumatic brain injury in Iraq, the powerful illustrations help children understand and cope with their fears, questions and hopes for the future.

When a parent has a brain injury, a child’s world is irreversibly changed. “The often invisible effects of TBI are difficult for adults to fully comprehend; more so for children who are discovering the world around them,” says author Shannon Maxwell. “Big Boss Brain is our way of providing children with a vehicle to understand TBI and realize that they are not alone.” Colorfully illustrated, this book is an essential tool for parents with children in elementary and middle school.

As service members and veterans return home from combat and have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, their young children are often confused by a parent's actions and behavior. The initial excitement of having Daddy home (or Mommy) can change as children adjust to new routines. A parent's nightmares, short tempers, flashbacks, and avoidance can frighten and confuse children. PTSD can change a parent and this can be scary and upsetting for young children. This picture story book helps small children understand PTSD and gives reassurance of a parent's love. Highly recommended for families with young children whose parent has come home from Iraq or Afghanistan

A parent's brain injury can change a child's world. This book helps sons and daughters understand the physical, cognitive and emotional changes in a parent after an acquired brain injury due to trauma, stroke, tumor, disease or anoxia. It gives information about the brain that is clear and easily understood among elementary, middle and high school age children. Most importantly, it helps sons and daughters understand how and why their relationship with their injured parent has changed. Filled with quotes and exercises, children share their personal feelings about living with a parent who has a brain injury and what life is like at home. This honest and insightful book with colorful graphics is an essential tool to help children cope.