"It handles the topic of parental addiction in such a beautiful way that includes critical messages these kids need to hear. Through Timbi, children hear that they are not alone, the addiction is never their fault, that it's okay to love the parent but feel angry at the disease and there are things they can do to cope. These messages are packaged together in a well crafted story that helps kids separate the parent they love from the addiction that hurts. Children deserve to know that their parent isn't bad, they have a disease that affects the brain, including their moods, behaviors and choices. While growing up in a home with addiction is difficult, Timbi lets kids know that they can still be okay.
This book complements our workshop series for COAs so well that we send every family that participates home with a copy. It's a great way to reinforce the core concepts that help COAs navigate their loved one's addiction in a healthy way."
--Lauren Rentcher, Program Director, Riley Foundation
"After first reading Timbi Talks about Addiction, I was moved to tears. I vowed to place a book and plush in every Counselor Office, Nurse’s Clinic, PE Teacher's Gym, and After School program in Sumner County. All will now be equipped to support students with a story and a Timbi hug. We are committed to having this resource available to all students."
--Janel Garrett, Coordinated School Health Coordinator, Sumner County Schools
"Key to breaking an often generational cycle of addiction, Timbi brings clarity to a complex topic through a beautifully illustrated story; teaching kids important core concepts like practical self regulation and connecting with a caring adult for support. As director for our community’s drug free coalition we’ve found Timbi to be a unique and highly valued resource for helping kids better understand parental addiction."
--Kimberly Ladd, Director, Maury County Prevention Coalition
“Timbi has been a welcome resource for Tennessee treatment providers. The book is relatable for children of many ages - as they reflect on how this experience affected them as a child or for the adult in recovery who is working with their child to understand the trauma involved with addiction. The book is priceless!”
--Mary Linden, Executive Director,
Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and Other Addiction Services (TAADAS)
"A foster parent said they read the book to the kids often and thought it was a great age appropriate way of discussing the issue.
One of the kids in a different family actually carries the book in his backpack all the time."
-- From a counselor in a Drug Court program in Indiana
I gave books to 2 different families (one foster and one kinship) that have children too young to do Betty Ford, but old enough to have questions about what is happening with parents. Both families raved about the book and said it was incredibly helpful in giving them the language to help explain parents’ addiction and process thru the feelings the children were experiencing!
--A counselor in Colorado