Customer Reviews

Becky the Brave: A Story about Epilepsy

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I used this book as a basis for a lesson plan introducing Epilepsy to lower grades. The story not only shares some basic information about Epilepsy, but does a great job of getting children to think about what it might feel like to have it and how nervous and afraid a child may be to come to school. A great way to teach compassion to all children. Well written and great illustrations.

"Becky the Brave" is a well-written tale about a young girl's struggles with epilepsy. Becky helps her younger sister Sarah adapt to life at school, walking with her, and reassuring her as she attends school. Sarah looks up to her brave older sister - until one afternoon when Becky suffers a serious seizure. When Becky recovers, she retreats into herself and refuses to return to school, anxious that her condition not be revealed to her new classmates lest they treat her 'differently'. It is now Sarah's turn to be brave for her sister and help put things right again.

At the beginning of the book, there is some explanation about epilepsy, and I learned that about 300,000 children in the United States suffer from epilepsy, with no known causes, and can range from mild to extreme seizures. It is therefore important that educators and students know how to react when a child suffers a seizure in the classroom or school. This book not only narrates the story of a child dealing with epilepsy and the challenges it poses, but also educates on how others can help - by clearing away anything that can be considered a danger to a seizure-stricken child, placing the child on her side to prevent choking, putting something soft like a pillow under her head, etc. - all of these are well-illustrated by the pictures drawn by artist Gail Piazza which complements the text by author Laurie Lears. I love these series of books dealing with children's disabilities and how they cope with the challenges in day-to-day life - others in the series are Nathan's Wish: A Story About Cerebral Palsy, Ben Has Something to Say: A Story About Stuttering (Concept Books (Albert Whitman)), and Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism. I've been reading these books with my 5-year-old and hopefully she'll be able to understand and provide support to her peers in school who have disabilities, something I consider important given the more inclusive nature of classrooms these days. Recommended for grades K-3.

While I was pregnant I decided to start my child's library. I collected the standard fairy-tales and Dr. Seuss's books, then I began looking for books to explain epilepsy, as I am epileptic. I had a few seizures while I was pregnant with her and it woke me up to the fact that not only was my disability part my life, but it was going to be part of her life.

Becky the Brave is such an elegant book, so complex and yet so simple. Laurie Lears develops the story about two sisters, one with epilepsy and the younger one, who is the narrator. Inside a very clear and honest tale she is able to explain: epilepsy, a positive sibling relationship with an epileptic, first-aid, and peers' reactions. That is difficult enough, but Laurie goes beyond that and gives insight in to how an epileptic feels; scared, ashamed, confused, uncertain, brave, determined, and compassionate. The story has depth.

I have read Becky the Brave to my daughter a few times. She has always used it as a time to ask me about my epilepsy and we have a casual discussion. One day my 5 yr. old daughter told me that she wanted to write a book as well and she even gave me the title, "My Mommy Sometimes Has Seizures." If she ever does it, I hope that she'll use the style and manner of Becky the Brave as a model. It's a wonderful piece of literature.

Terry Tracy

I am the illustrator of Becky the Brave! I learned so much about epilepsy while working on this project. The illustrations are done in pastel on colored pastel paper. I used two sisters from my church as models for Becky and her sister. Look for a special copies for sale in the collectible (used and new) section, that include a personalized note from me explaining how I illustrated Becky the Brave!!