Ali Rheaume talks about the creation of "Buddy The Brain" (video & audio)

FM #1703 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1703 in the series. 

This episode shares my conversation with Franklin author, educator, and disability advocate Ali Rheaume. We met virtually on Thursday, March 19, 2026 to discuss her new book “Buddy The Brain”. 

Ali Rheaume talks about the creation
of "Buddy The Brain"  (video & audio)

We cover 

• The book is available in multiple formats

• The origin story of the book

• Ali’s recovery journey and advocacy

The video runs about 23 minutes, let’s watch (or listen)

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gLJIk2cRT0

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1703-ali-rheaume-on-buddy-the-brain-03-19-26/

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The landing page for Buddy The Brain https://alirheaume.com/buddythebrain 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV  and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area FM radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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"Buddy The Brain" reading at Tatnuck Bookseller and Café in Westborough

Good morning, Buddy the Brain has been having fun at schools, conferences, libraries, and more! This Saturday, I will be at the Tatnuck Bookseller and Café in Westborough, MA for an author event. If you're local, come on by! There will be: book sales book signing book reading coloring pages illustration display brain injury resources author meet and greet There is also a café, so you can grab a drink and a treat while you hang out with us. Please spread the word, and hope to see you there!! -Ali and Buddy

Alison Rheaume | Franklin | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Visit with Author Ali Rheaume at the Franklin Public Library - Friday, March 20 at 3:30 PM

 Visit with Author Ali Rheaume at the Franklin
Public Library - Friday, March 20 at 3:30 PM

"Free family fun this Friday at the Franklin Library!

*All ages and abilities are welcomed and included

If you want a book signed, there are no sales at this event, so you can grab a copy here: https://alirheaume.com/buddythebrain"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/17oEMUjkUn/

Children's Book: "Buddy the Brain", written and illustrated by Alison Rheaume

What prompted Alison to write the book? 

"As a brain injury survivor who is an adult, it has taken a lot of mindful language and education to help explain to my niece and nephews why I live a bit differently. From the perspective of a child, adults "should" be able to walk on grass, run, attend a birthday party, and handle loud environments, right? 

Well, as those are some of the things I have struggled with, along with feeling tired, using mobility devices, and more, I recognized the value in kid-friendly education about brain injury. 

This book is meant to be an engaging and cute way to start the conversation in understand the brain, what it does, how to keep it safe, and what someone who has sustained a brain injury may be going through, whether it's a parent, relative friend, or even themselves.  

Additionally, I have struggled to read children's books to my niece and nephews, which has felt embarrassing to me. The crazy fonts, visually busy illustrations, and text on top of graphics has made it extremely difficult to read. I realized that if books were more accessible to read, then many more people like myself could be included and feel confident in reading."

Children's Book: "Buddy the Brain", written
and illustrated by Alison Rheaume

The book is available in many formats for accessibility; in addition to hardcover and paperback, there will also be an eBook with alt text embedded, Braille print, ASL video, and an audiobook with two versions - one reading the text and one reading the text and added character descriptions. (The audiobook recording and editing was performed at Franklin TV/Franklin Public Radio!)

The book is mindfully designed to be accessible to read due to: large print, simple font (that Alison created from her own handwriting), well-contrasted text on a solid background (never on top of images), and images that are fun and simple, not visually overstimulating.

You can order your copy (or copies) of the book - 

https://alirheaume.com/buddythebrain

Upcoming Author Events

March 13, 2026: MAHPERD Adapted PE Conference - book

sales and signing

March 20, 2026, 3:30 - 4:40 PM: Franklin Public Library author

reading and signing (no sales, BYOB) and illustration display

March 28, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 AM: Tatnuck Book Store in

Westborough, MA - book sales, author reading, signing, and

illustration display

School book readings, discussions, and activities: various

schools and dates - email me to book one at your school!

Prerelease book purchase for "Buddy The Brain"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GG23WF6V?

via Ali Rheaume

"You'll get your book(s) first if you pre-order today!!

PS, if the hardcover book does not show an image on Amazon yet, it's the same image that the e-book shows, it just needs some time to update

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GG23WF6V?

Thank you so much for your support!!

Hashtags: #braininjury #childrensbook #author #education"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1APnhKDXyi/

"Buddy the Brain" is available Feb 20, 2026

"Buddy the Brain" is available Feb 20, 2026

via Ali Rheaume

"It's important that if a book is going to be written about brain injury, it can be read by those who have sustained brain injury.

Personally, this has been a struggle area for me, even with children's books, so I have taken both my personal experience and my accessibility knowledge to create "Buddy the Brain".

I hope it helps at least one other person who has sustained brain injury to be able to successfully read a children's book!

We're just a few days away; this book comes out on February 20!

The best way to stay up-to-date and get access first, is to sign up for emails by commenting "Buddy" below."

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/share/1A7SjwqffB/