Description

Please Stay with Me

Book Subtitle: A Portrait of Bipolar Disorder

Book Description:

In Please Stay with Me, Rhonda Webster invites readers into the private journey of bipolar disorder inspired by her own experiences within her family. Alongside her words, Webster’s daughter-in-law, Zoe Webster, offers stunning illustrations that bring this story of love, hope, and resilience to life.

This visually striking book is told from the dual perspectives of mother and daughter as they walk side-by-side through this devastating illness. With resonant dialogue and tender observations, Webster weaves together vignettes that reflect the intensity and unpredictability of those coping with bipolar disorder while also caring for those they love.

Please Stay with Me is brimming with hope and heartache, capturing the complex and often conflicting emotions of living with the disease. This book is for those braving mental illness and the people who love them.

 

Please Stay with Me is an intimate illustrated portrait of bipolar disorder, tracing a mother and daughter’s shared experience with unflinching honesty and offering readers a deeper understanding of what it means to live with—and love through—mental illness.

 

“In her remarkable debut book, Please Stay with Me, Rhonda captures the juxtaposition of the bond between a mother and child and the tumultuous experience of a mother suffering from bipolar disorder. This story illustrates the complexity of relationships and the understanding that beauty can lie nestled amongst the thorns of life.”

– Dr. Nancy Hurst PhD, Registered Psychologist

“Please Stay with Me is all at once a heart-breaking and hopeful story told with beautiful language and illustrations. This book is a powerful reminder of the struggles that mental illness inflicts upon the human who endures them and the ripple effect it has on those who love them. Webster skilfully articulates the vulnerability and strength she had as a child helping her mother navigate the difficulties of her inner demons.  Readers will gain a deeper insight into how difficult Bi-Polar Disorder is for families. If you have experienced mental illness or have loved someone who has, this book will make you feel less alone.”

– Scott Jones, Wellness Advocate and Retired Police Officer

“Reminiscent of British illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy’s work, Please Stay with Me portrays a mother’s struggle with bipolar depression and suicidality and its effect on her relationship with her young daughter. Achingly poignant, but ultimately hopeful, this story is about the love that shines in the darkest of places.”

– Glorie Tebbutt, M.A. & M.Ed.

 

Author: Rhonda Webster

Publisher: Wild Skies Press

Format: Paperback, Hardcover & Ebook

Paperback ISBN:978-1-997770-18-3

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-997770-17-6 | Hardcover Price: $29.99

E-Book ISBN:  978-1-997770-19-0

Size: 8.5 x 8.5 in | Pages: 80

Publication Date: June 28, 2026