Deirdre Brandner is a registered child psychologist with over 30 years’ experience supporting children, parents and educators. She is the co-creator of the Bear Learns series and the creator of Bear’s Toolkit, the set of simple, evidence-informed strategies that helps young readers understand and manage big feelings. Deirdre has worked alongside Jennifer bringing clinical insight to every story so the psychology sits gently inside every Bear adventure. Along with Dr Lexi Frydenberg of the Royal Children’s Hospital, she also co-authors When Learning Is Hard, published by HarperCollins and ABC Books.
Jennifer Whelan is an author, illustrator animator and the creator of the Bear Learns picture book series, published by Wilkinson Publishing.These books have built a loyal following among families, caregivers and early childhood educators. Alongside her cousin Deirdre Brandner, a registered child psychologist and early childhood educator, the co-creators weave the magical alchemy of art and science into storytelling moments that are grounded in how young children actually experience big feelings. Jennifer is currently developing Bear beyond the page into Bear Learning Adventures, an original preschool animated series.
