Los Angeles, CA – Debut author B.R. Duray is releasing the print edition of his whimsical children’s picture book “The Mood Swing” (Moon Tree Studios, June 15, 2025) on Father’s Day. Inspired by the author’s own experience with the loss of his dad at a young age, this heartfelt tale takes young readers on a magical journey through life’s emotional highs and lows.
The story follows Peter, a young boy grappling with grief after his father’s passing. A magical swing, tethered to a Moon Tree, propels Peter into fantastical adventures that mirror his emotions. When Peter is happy, with both of his parents by his side, he blasts off into a whimsical adventure through Outer Space – a dream come true! When he returns a year later without his father, unable to find the magic he once had, the swing descends, plunging Peter into a pit of quicksand.
With the help of his mother and the comforting reminder that his father is always with him in the stars, Peter learns to find balance and rediscover the joy of the swing. Through its delightful narrative and engaging illustrations, the book aims to provide solace, hope, and joy to families, especially in difficult times. Though the story is particularly helpful for those who are struggling with grief, it can also soothe kids who experience big emotions and need help navigating them.
“The Mood Swing”
B.R. Duray | June 1, 2024 | Moon Tree Studios LLC | Children’s Picture Book
Hardcover | 979-8989710317 | $19.99
Ebook | B0D2BXD9P5 | $7.99
Early Praise for “The Mood Swing”
“The Mood Swing is the book I wish to give to all of my widowed clients and their grieving children. It is the most beautiful story of a young boy who- with the help of his mother and a very lovable tree swing! – learns to trust life again after the death of his father. The Mood Swing is simply perfection. The author’s writing is truly captivating- all together whimsical, relatable and vulnerable. The illustrator’s artwork is simply breathtaking- colorful, enchanting, and authentic. If you are looking for a book to offer children living with profound loss, this is the book for you.”
– Susan Hannifin-MacNab, Author of A to Z Healing Toolbox: A Practical Guide for Navigating Grief and Trauma with Intention
“In a delightful way, this book brings a promising and empowering message to children who may be suffering from strong mood swings or a mood disorder. It normalizes such a condition by making it manageable and tolerable, and by casting a ray of sunlight and optimism onto the difficulties that set them apart from other children. A book of such hope should find a good place on the shelves of bookstores and libraries.”
– Michael Gellert, Jungian Analyst and Author, Former Director of Training at the C. G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles
“The Mood Swing is a beautiful expression of love, remembrance, and resilience. Written with a warm candor that acknowledges the pain of grief while fostering hope through a continued connection to our loved ones, The Mood Swing is a meaningful gift to young people who are navigating the world after the death of a parent.”
– Michele Neff Hernandez, CEO and Founder Soaring Spirits International
More About the Author
B.R. Duray is an author, film director, screenwriter and entrepreneur born in San Diego, California. He has written and directed feature length films for major studios, documentary features spanning 6 continents, docu-series for Oscar-Winning production companies, music videos for A-list artists, nationally televised branded content, award-winning short films, and virtual reality experiences about topics such as death and birth. Thompson is the founder of Moon Tree Studios LLC, a multi-media production company dedicated to bringing light and healing magic to children and families across the world.
Find out more about the book at http://moodswing-media.org.
Follow B.R. Duray on social media:
Facebook: @moodswingbook | Twitter: @brduray
Instagram: @moodswingbook | TikTok: @moodswingbook
About the Illustrator
Momo Valentini (a.k.a Momes) is a Japanese-American illustrator, animator, and engineer based in Los Angeles. Her work includes visuals for her favorite musicians, bringing concepts and albums to life through artwork, merchandise, music videos, 2D animations, and browser games. Her background in child development and love of storytelling blend together to create whimsical worlds that capture and inspire the imaginations of children and adults alike. She loves working in her home studio with her two best assistants, Diego the dog and Santiago the tortoise.
In an interview, B.R. Duray can discuss:
- How his experience of losing his father as a child inspired him to write this book Why he hopes his touching book with help kids learn to cope with their grief and big emotions
- The specific ways stories helped him navigate and heal from grief as a child
- How his filmmaking experience influenced his storytelling, and why he decided to write a children’s book
- How this book is a love letter to his father
- Why the book can be helpful to children with big emotions, not necessarily only grief
An Interview with B.R. Duray
1. What was the inspiration behind this book? How is it a love letter to your father?
As a kid on the playground, when I’d ride the swings, I’d look up into the clouds when I reached the top of the swing, and I’d imagine I’d blast off in a rocketship through space. That imagination always stuck with me. When I was 10 years old, I lost my father. After he died, I remembered that my emotions felt as though they’d become so much more deep and extreme. They would swing from high to low, and it felt like other kids around me weren’t feeling the same thing. I didn’t know if that was ever going to end, and it scared me. Storytelling helped to heal my heart and the stories my mom told me — stories of faith, of courage, and of love — helped me to find my balance and heal my heart, which is why I wanted to give back by creating my own story. The Mood Swing is a love letter to my dad and to children everywhere who may struggle with emotional ups and downs. At its core, is a sense of hope and comfort, and a reminder that we are never alone. When I look up at night to the stars, and I see a bright star, I think of my dad still to this day. The Blue Star in the story is inspired by him. Lastly, the pen name I used, B.R. Duray, is an homage to my dad’s name — that way his spirit is always entwined with this story.
2. Why did you decide to write a children’s book as a professional filmmaker?
I originally imagined this story as an animated film. I storyboarded it, created the character concept art and was prepared to make a film, but the transition to a book was an organic process that felt more true to the healing nature of the story and how intimately it could be shared between families in the form of a book. A picture book was the natural extension of my passion for storytelling, where visual narrative meets emotional truth. As a filmmaker, I’m used to exploring complex human experiences through images and symbols, and I found that writing for children allowed me to simplify and illuminate these ideas in a magical, accessible way.
3. How do you think this story provides children with coping skills for big emotions and grief in a simple, magical way?
The Mood Swing is like a kid’s Gummy Bear Vitamin. It tastes like candy, but at its core is medicine. I wanted to authentically portray concepts of emotional resilience and the natural cycle of grief, but told through the whimsy of a magical swing set. By presenting big feelings in a fantastical context, the book encourages young readers to explore and understand their emotions as fantastical journeys and thrilling rides, where balance becomes something they can not only see, but experience when they go out to a playground and ride the swings. I hope every time a child rides or sees a swingset they think of The Mood Swing, equipping them with simple coping strategies that are both accessible and memorable.
5. How did your mom help you navigate grief at a young age?
My mom was a steadfast pillar of support, offering warmth and understanding during many moments of worry and sadness after my dad’s death. She taught me that it was okay to talk about deep things and address the emotions I was feeling, but she also stressed the importance of building resilience and strength to be able to grow and regain my balance. She never liked to think of our family as a victim, she only stayed optimistic and focused on our family living the healthiest, happiest life we could in spite of our loss. My mom had such compassion and patience with me, even though she was grieving herself. That act of selfless love is something only a mother can understand, and I could never thank her enough for, but that’s why I dedicated the book to her.
A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.
Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.
