Pretend Friends: A story about schizophrenia and other illnesses that can cause hallucinations

Reach for this book when a child is witnessing a family member struggle with hallucinations, delusions, or a diagnosis of schizophrenia and is feeling confused or frightened by the behavior. This gentle story follows a young girl named Jay whose older brother, Casey, begins seeing and hearing things that others cannot. It explains complex mental health concepts through a child friendly lens, focusing on the biology of the brain rather than stigma. It validates the child's complicated feelings of love, fear, and frustration while emphasizing that the illness is not anyone's fault. Best suited for children ages 7 to 11, it provides a safe framework for families to discuss why a loved one might act differently and how doctors help the brain get better.