Heather Snyder, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with a special interest in pediatric acquired brain injury and neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Her inspiration for Elvin evolved from a clinical research project on pediatric brain injury that was conducted at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Heather wanted to create an engaging forum for children who sustain a brain injury to enhance their understanding of the emotional and cognitive changes that they may experience.
Elvin’s story is a useful educational tool for clinicians working in children’s hospitals, pediatric rehabilitation programs and private practices. Because it follows Elvin to school, educators and therapists can also use this story to help a child understand new challenges in learning.
Elvin’s story includes the social and behavioral changes that are common among children with brain injury. It can provide insight into the consequences of brain injury for families, friends, teachers, and classmates.
This book is an excellent tool to help friends and classmates understand brain injury and to raise awareness.
About the illustrator...
Susan Beebe is an artist and illustrator who has had many paperdolls, novelty cards and other children’s products published. She lives in Maine and works in various mediums and has had several special shows in galleries featuring her work.
Through the story of Elvin the Elephant who Forgets, Susan has created a visual journey that shows the struggles, emotions and confusion of a child with a brain injury. Her illustrations make this a delightful and endearing story for children and adults.
She graduated from Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 1981.
Susan has also illustrated The Get Well Soon Balloon. This book is for children when a parent has a brain injury.
