The Bayou
Bounce™
Written by Tyaisha Dillon · As told by Will Dillon
When someone you love gets sick… how do you explain that to a child? Told through the eyes of 9-year-old Will — a guitar-playing, movie-making kid from Louisiana — this vibrant, illustrated book helps families open the conversation about Parkinson's, resilience, and love that never fades.
"To my family and to everyone quietly struggling with Parkinson's."
Illustrated by Randell Pearson · ISBN 979-8-89420-060-6 · First Edition 2025
Inside the Pages
Bayou Bounce Food Lagniappe
Will & Mom blend fresh greens in their Louisiana kitchen
Resilience in Motion
The Dillon family celebrates together — even through the hard days
Meet the Characters
Told through the eyes of a child, the story brings every family member to life with rich Louisiana heritage and vivid illustrations.
Will
9 years old · Georgia (Louisiana roots)
"Hi! I'm Will, and I'm nine years old. Laughter, music, and the delicious aromas from our kitchen make my home a joyful place to live. I love the Saints and Southern University! I enjoy playing football, making stop-motion movies, and rocking out on my electric guitar. My biggest fans? Mom and Dad, of course!"
Highlights
- Electric guitar prodigy
- Stop-motion filmmaker
- Football lover
- Saints & Southern U. fan
Mom
The Advocate · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
"She's like the Louisiana sun: warm, strong, and shining—even on tough days. She rocks different hairstyles, just like she rocks life. Mom fills our home with music, joy, and yummy smells. She has a master's degree in Biosystems Engineering Technology from the University of Tennessee — and even worked at the state capitol!"
Highlights
- M.S. Biosystems Engineering — UTK
- State Capitol advocate
- Community organizer
- Parkinson's awareness champion
More Than a Story —
A Conversation Starter
Each chapter ends with a reflection prompt that invites children to connect the story to their own lives — drawing, writing, and talking about the people and places they love.
Our Home
"Draw a picture of your home and the people (and pets) who make it feel special."
Meet Mom
"Do you know someone with an interesting job or life story, kind of like my mom? Draw or write about what they do and why you look up to them."
More Than a Story
Family Resilience
Love that persists through life's biggest challenges — told with warmth and Louisiana spirit.
Brain Health Literacy
Making Parkinson's disease understandable for young readers through vibrant illustration.
SEL Learning
Social-emotional learning woven into every page through Will's authentic, joyful voice.
Caregiver Support
A conversation tool for families navigating chronic illness — especially Parkinson's — together.
Bayou Bounce Online™ Platform
A full curriculum ecosystem where culture, neuroscience, food, and community data intersect. Live now at bayoubounce.online.
Enter the Platform
The Community Scout
Food Deserts, GIS Mapping & Sustainable Solutions
Students map their communities, identify food deserts using GIS tools, conduct real waste audits, and connect food access data to brain health. Directly tied to UN SDGs #2, #6, and #11.
The Innovation Lab
Sustainable Business Pitches & Community Solutions
Students develop sustainable business pitches — from Food Waste Apps to Community Garden Plans — and present to educators, parents, and potential sponsors on Presentation Day.
Chef Traci's Corner
Where neuroscience meets the kitchen
Brain-healthy recipes, culinary life skills, and the gut-brain connection — taught through culturally grounded Southern food traditions. Bayou Brain Gumbo, Memory Maker Smoothie, and more.
Resilience Infrastructure Stack
A Closed-Loop Ecosystem
The Neuro-Crosswalk, The Community Scout, and The Faceless Catalyst — three layers that create their own economy of Inspiration, Evidence, and Capital. Heart. Head. Wallet.
Bayou Bounce™ Literacy Campaign
We're securing donations for book distribution to schools, libraries, and clinics nationwide — making brain health literacy accessible to every child and family.
Schools & Libraries
Placing books in educational institutions across the country for maximum reach.
Clinics & Hospitals
Bringing brain health stories to waiting rooms where families need them most.
Community Events
Read-aloud events and workshops that bring families together around brain health.
Reader Reviews
"I've never seen my students so engaged during a health lesson. They started asking questions I've never heard before — about the brain, about family, about empathy."
Ms. Patterson
9th Grade Science Teacher
"I thought brain health was just for old people. After this I realized it starts with what we eat and how we manage stress. I've been eating breakfast every day since."
Jordan, Age 15
Student Participant
"Culturally resonant storytelling can lower the barrier to early health conversations. The data supports what the students are already showing us."
Dr. Williams
Community Health Partner
Ordering for a Classroom or Clinic?
Bulk and institutional orders are available through IngramSpark. Contact us directly for special pricing on orders of 10+ copies.
Help Us Put This Book in Every Child's Hands
Every book donated plants a seed of understanding, empathy, and resilience in a child's heart.