Once Upon an Upset is an illustrated collection of stories, insights and reflections to help parent our children while reparenting ourselves, based on my own personal experiences with healing that I’ve shared on my blog and podcast. It’s 450 pages with over 200 illustrations, and l've designed it as a magazine of sorts, something a reader could pick up in a moment of overwhelm and maybe find a little relief.

(Signed, 7x9” full-color pages.)

“This beautiful book is overflowing with stories rich with humor, pathos, and grace which share an incredibly important teaching: that compassion, kindness and connection are the greatest gifts we can give and receive. Through these stories and illustrations, Jessica shows us that the strategies which so many people had to develop to navigate difficult childhoods contain gifts within them that can allow each of us to find our own happily ever after. This book is a treasure!”

– Kirsten Lundeberg, psychotherapist,
Certified Internal Family Systems Therapist
Lead Trainer, Internal Family Systems Institute

(CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLES)

(CLICK HERE TO READ INTRODUCTION)

*For a limited time, every book is shipped with this 3” x 1” magnet, with words that help me shift out of autopilot and into remembering that I do have access to other choices that might help me cope more constructively to difficult moments. (The image of the magnet is posted on this page below the book cover.)

What readers are saying:

“Amazing book, so much more than l imagined. It’s beautiful like an art filled coffee book, deep and filled with information like a textbook and riveting like a memoir. Truly happy I ordered it and looking forward to discovering every page.” — Kimberly I.

“What a cool one of a kind, relatable, gentle, well-written and designed, and entertaining work!” — Gabrielle M.

“This is such an important book! Thank you!” — Melinda W.

“Opening to any page feels like landing on a nugget of introspective gold. I almost just want to read a page a day to give myself time to process the words and imagery. I foresee purchasing extra copies to give as gifts. 10/10 recommend!” — Amy-Beth M.

“It’s a great book, beautifully written, and insightful. I personally feel those who have not been through similar can glean a good understanding of those who have. Highly recommend.” — Cheri M.

“I absolutely love love love this book!” — Rachael S.

“I am absolutely floored at how much information is in this book! And how well it is designed, with lots of great drawings and small sections (as you said, somewhat like a magazine!) It is a brilliant design, super creative, unique, and user-friendly!” — Valerie S.