Ibby Brown wanted to write a book as a way to introduce epilepsy to children, while also raising awareness of other hidden conditions. From this, Dennis Dares to Share was born.
Ibby’s book follows a dog called Dennis, who has epilepsy but doesn’t want to tell anyone about it.
“Niamh, my four-year-old daughter, is currently going through a very curious phase,” Ibby says. “She frequently asks: ‘why?’
“Why do we bleed? Why is it red? Why do we have to wear suncream? Why do I have to eat my peas?
“I have to work hard to explain complicated concepts using language that she’ll understand.
“I chose to use cartoon dogs in order to appeal to younger children and then looked at some of the different functions of the brain and what an incredible organ it is. I also wanted to introduce all the amazing things our bodies can do all thanks to the brain – from helping us to balance, to smiling, laughing and jumping away when frightened.”
Feeling so embarrassed
In the book, Ibby (pictured with her husband and their daughter Niamh) explores the idea of being embarrassed to tell others about having epilepsy. It’s something she has felt herself about her own epilepsy.
“Waking up from an absence seizure, I’d feel so embarrassed. I had no idea how long I’d been vacant for, what I’d said, what I’d done. I often did lip-smacking during seizures, which can cause people to stare.
“I’ve also lost control of my bladder before. I remember feeling mortified when I came back round following an absence seizure immediately after a netball game to discover my shorts were wet through.
“For me, it was often easier not to tell people about the condition. I think some people can feel nervous when they meet me one-to-one in case I have a seizure. I have been in the car with people and there is almost a sense of relief when they drop me off as they no longer have the responsibility of being with me.
“And, so, Dennis Dog deliberately hides his epilepsy. But when he reveals his condition, it causes a knock-on effect, with all his friends feeling comfortable and supported enough to reveal a hidden condition that they also felt too embarrassed to share.”
Having come up with her concept and story, Ibby needed an illustrator for her book.
At the same time, Ava and her mum Laura were taking part in a Learn to Draw Paddington Bear virtual art class with Paddington illustrator R. W. Alley for National Doodle Day in 2023.
National Doodle Day Virtual Art Classes 2024
The National Doodle Day Virtual Art Classes are returning in 2024! You can follow along and get first hand tips from world class illustrators, including:
- R. W. Alley (Paddington)
- Natalia Jagielska (digital artist and science consultant)
- Jason Chapman (What’s in the Truck)
- Guy Parker-Rees (Giraffes Can’t Dance)
Ava’s Paddington won the drawing competition and Ibby thought her illustration was fantastic. She got in touch to see if Ava would be interested in working with her on her book.
“It was October, I was heavily pregnant with my second daughter, Elsie, and clutching a tin of home-made cake and a copy of my manuscript with a few scribbled ideas for illustrations, I caught the train to meet Ava and her mum Laura.”
A joyous endeavour
As a working and a budding artist, Laura and Ava decided to take part in the Draw Along with R. W. Alley in 2023. Laura’s sister Josie developed epilepsy as a teenager and Laura and her family had become aware of Epilepsy Action at that time, as “an amazing source of information”.
“We were so excited to actually be able to see R. W. Alley at work, illustrating Paddington!” Laura says. “Ava was delighted to win the competition (Ava’s Paddington drawing pictured).
“We met Ibby in person soon afterwards and bonded very well. The quality of Ibby’s text was so strong and we were really honoured to be asked to draw.”
With Ava in the middle of studying for her GCSEs, Ava and Laura decided to take on the project together, with Ava developing the characters and Laura putting the pages together using her drawing skills and broader background in layout.
“We had a lovely working relationship with Ibby and she was so positive about our illustrations!
“It’s been such a joyous endeavour for us and we are really excited to see the final book coming together. This book means a lot to all of us. It’s been a new challenge for all of us and it feels like we’ve all been in it together.
“We have seen developments in medicine and in raising awareness of epilepsy over the last 20 plus years, and we feel strongly that it should be openly talked about, perhaps unlike in generations gone by.”
Raising awareness in children
Ibby, Laura and Ava are hopeful the book will raise awareness of epilepsy in children. Having had a difficult time accepting her own diagnosis (“I clung on tight to all the reasons why it couldn’t possibly be epilepsy”), Ibby wanted to make sure her daughters were aware of the condition.
She said: “Niamh knows mummy has epilepsy and that she takes tablets. Having witnessed me having absence seizures in the past, she knew that mummy couldn’t talk when she was having them.
“On researching the condition, I was shocked to learn that there is an average of two children with epilepsy in every primary school, and nine in every secondary school. I’m a teacher and, prior to my diagnosis, I wouldn’t have had a clue what to do if someone experienced a seizure.
“I am now planning to tour all the local schools and nurseries in Nottinghamshire and will then look at how to promote the book further.
“Good luck, Dennis! I hope children and their parents and teachers enjoy reading all about you!”
To find out more about how to get hold of a copy of Dennis Dares to Share, email: info@ibbybrown.co.uk