About the Book
Mama Doesn't Feel Well: A Story About a Mother with Lupus & Her Love for Her Son is a heartwarming, inclusive children's book that gently explores the realities of chronic illness through the eyes of a young boy whose mama lives with lupus. Written and illustrated by Tamara Dill Sautter, LCSW PMH-C - a mother, licensed therapist, and chronic illness warrior herself. This book is both a love letter to children and a resource for families navigating life with invisible illness.
Told from a child's perspective, the story follows a little boy who adores his mother. He loves when she plays with him, makes delicious meals, and snuggles at bedtime. But sometimes, his mama doesn't feel well. She has lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes pain, fatigue, and flare-ups that can make everyday tasks difficult. The boy learns how her immune system works differently, what symptoms and flare-ups are, and how rest and medicine help her feel better.
Throughout the book, the child is invited to ask questions and participate in learning-emphasizing that illness is never a child's fault, that love isn't dependent on energy levels, and that parents with chronic illness can still be amazing, present, and deeply loving caregivers.
Tamara's background as a clinical social worker with a focus in perinatal mental health brings a therapeutic, developmentally sensitive lens to the narrative. The story validates children's emotions, reduces fear through facts, and encourages open conversations between parents and kids about health, rest, and the many ways love shows up even on hard days.
This book is ideal for:
Children ages 410 whose parent, caregiver, or loved one lives with chronic illness (especially lupus or other autoimmune conditions)
Parents and therapists seeking inclusive, accessible resources to explain health challenges in a child-friendly way
Families looking for representation, comfort, and hope in the face of invisible illness
With soothing illustrations and heartfelt language, Mama Doesn't Feel Well is more than a story-it's a source of understanding, comfort, and connection for families walking a path that is both tender and strong.
You can learn more about the author and her work at wisemindcounseling.org or follow along on Instagram @wise_mind_counseling.
About the Author :
Tamara Sautter (that's Tamara like "camera" and Sautter like "daughter") is a mother, therapist, writer, artist, and human doing her best to make space for healing, humor, and humanity. She graduated with honors from NC State with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work. She studied developmental psychology at the doctoral level, where she decided that the heart of her work would always be in connection, not research.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C), specializing in supporting people through the emotional journeys of pregnancy, postpartum, loss/infertility, parenting, and everything in between.
Tamara has worked across crisis centers, hospitals, schools, and private practice, and now owns Wise Mind Counseling, PLLC. Her practice is a space rooted in compassion, trauma-informed care, honesty, integrity, and radical inclusivity. As a therapist, Tamara believes in equity, accessibility, and kindness. She believes therapy should feel like exhaling, that every person deserves to feel safe, heard, and seen.
She is a Hispanic, bisexual woman living with lupus and arthritis, raising a rainbow baby after five losses, a foster parent, and parenting with intention and softness. She is proud of her identity and is deeply compassionate and creative. When not working, you'll find her doing puzzles, writing, playing word games, crafting, swimming, or spending time with her partner, kids, and people she loves.
You can find more at wisemindcounseling.org or on Instagram @wise_mind_counseling.
