Iris the Dragon in Media

Resources for Media

White papers, high-resolution imagery, and quotes

Past Appearances

Our history in the media from TV and newspapers to podcasts

Book an Interview

You've got the angle, we've got the sound-bite

RESOURCES FOR MEDIA

New eBook
2020 Media kit for the eBook, Project: Kids, Let's Be Superheroes

IncludeMe APP
2018 Media kits for the IncludeMe workplace mental health training program** Note: IncludeMe™ was re-issued in July of 2020 after converting the program into a SCORM-compliant package.

RESEARCH

Study on the IncludeMe™ Workplace Mental Health Training App
The Queen's University study showed evidence of 78% of participants having an overall positive change in attitudes after using the IncludeMe app. The study was conducted by: Porpong Boonmak, PhD Candidate,  and Heather Stuart, PhD Queen’s University and the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair. Download the IncludeMe Pilot Program Evaluation Report.

Study on the Iris the Dragon Book Series
The Mental Health Commission of Canada - Opening Minds in Middle School: Results of a Storybook Intervention
The Mental Health Commission of Canada's empirical study confirmed that Iris the Dragon is an effective and trusted resource for children and their caregivers. Information release summarizing the details of the study (PDF). 

The study was conducted by: Judeline Innocent, PhD Candidate, Cynthia Baker, PhD, Diane Buchanan, PhD, Rosemary Wilson, PhD, and Heather Stuart, PhD Queen’s University, MHCC head researcher and the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair. Insight into Iris the Dragon's narrative formula to change attitudes about mental health; written by Gayle Grass.

IMAGERY

Image of each book cover at 300 dpi w/6" base, RGB JPG
• Catch a Falling Star
• Lucky Horseshoes
• Hole in One
• I Can Fix It! 
• He Shoots! He Scores! 
• Project: Kids, Let's Talk
Please credit: © Iris the Dragon, www.iristhedragon.com

QUOTES

Statements from medical, subject matter experts, and Iris the Dragon
• Text - Catch a Falling Star
• Text - Lucky Horseshoes
• Text - Hole in One
• Text - I Can Fix It!
• Text - He Shoots! He Scores!
• Audio - Interview with teacher Diane Dewing during the launch of Iris the Dragon's Units of Study in Ocober of 2011
• Video - The story behind Iris the Dragon
• Video - Preview of the book "He Shoots! He Scores!"
• Video - Explanation of the Units of Study
Text, audio, and video can be clipped and re-purposed with credit: © Iris the Dragon, www.iristhedragon.com

PAST APPEARANCES & ARTICLES

TELEVISION

A-Channel
Host Karen Soloman discusses children's mental health advocacy and education with Gayle and Jessica Grass, January 24, 2007.

PRINT

A dragon with a healthy connection to kids
Paul Waldie, The Globe & Mail, May 2009

Walking for Brave New Minds
Laura Mueller, Perth Courier, April 2009

Iris the Dragon carries message
Kathy Rumleski, London Free Press Reporter (CNEWS), August 2007

Dragon helps kids, parents cope with mental illness
Lianne Lahie-Tysick, Perth Heritage News, July 2007

Equine Canada Endorses "Lucky Horseshoes"
Equine Canada's Horselife Magazine, May 2007

Easing the Stigma of ADHD
Denise Davy, Hamilton Spectator, April 2007

Fairytale dragon teaches about mental disorders
Gena Gibson, The Perth Courier, February 2007

Child's tale dispels ADHD myths
Helen Henderson, The Toronto Star, February 2007

Slaying stigmas
Mike Gillespie, Ottawa Citizen, February 2006

Local author addresses childhood mental illness
The Perth Courier, December 2003

Raising awareness of mental illness
Bruce Peever, Letter to the Editor, The Record News EMC, January 2003

Kids struggling with mental illness
Helen Henderson, The Toronto Star, July 2001

Telling the Tale
Michael Wales, source unconfirmed, 2001

Children and Mental Health
News Canada clippings, dates unconfirmed but likely 2001-2002: What causes mental illness? • How to recognize mental illness in children • Early diagnosis improves treatment • Stigma still getting in the way of treatment • Book helps families deal with mental illness • How to keep your kid's brain healthy • Early identification key to effective treatment • Stressing solutions for stress

An Offering of Irises
Janice Kennedy, The Ottawa Citizen, October 8, 2000

Berries for Brains
Jessica Mendes, Canadian Medical Association, July 24, 2001

Heading off the Dragon
Karen Gram, Visions: BC's Mental Health Journal, Spring 2002

Understanding Mental Illness - Puppet Workshop
Angela Marley, CentrePULSE, September 2004

Gayle Grass talks on the topic of mental illness
Donna Morrow, The Perth & District Women's Club, November 2001

Ontario Association For Students At Risk (OASAR)
Miriam Silvert, OASAR Newsletter, Summer 2008

Even the youngest can learn about stigma
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2002

Iris the Dragon Childrens' Book Series
U.S. DoD newsletter, mental health, date unknown

Children's book brings help and hope to children with mental illness
Unknown source, Winter 2001/2002

Catch A Falling Star book reviews
Greg Schilhab, unknown publication / date • CalgarysChild.com (Best Bets section), unknown date • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Advocate), Winter 2002 • World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders, October 2001 • Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, Vol. 25, Issue 2, Summer 2001

RADIO

Interview with the CBC Radio, Ottawa Morning
Host Robyn Bresnahan interviews Jessica Grass and Kim Hiscott, Executive Director with Andrew Fleck Children's Services, to discuss Iris the Dragon's latest book on mental health and coping during a pandemic (Oct 2020)

Interview with the CBC Radio 1, Ontario Morning
Host Wei Chen interviews Jessica Grass to discuss how the Canadian Forces and Iris the Dragon joined together to produce the book "Project: Kids, Let's Talk" (April 2012)

Interview with Just One More Book
Host Mark Blevis interviews Jessica Grass to discuss what makes "Catch a Falling Star" unique in children's books for parents, educators and health care professionals (July 2007).  Please credit © Just One More Book, 2007 if you reuse this audio file.

Interview with CBC Radio, Sounds Like Canada
Host Bernard St-Laurent interviews author Gayle Grass and actor Darren Flynn who stars as the character "Fish" in the stage production of Iris the Dragon. The 13-year old actor shares his own mental health challenges and the play's message to audiences. (April 2003). Read a review of the play by Glenn Sumi & Jon Kaplan, Now Toronto

THEATRE

Iris the Dragon
Iris the Dragon came to life during the 2003, Workman's Theatre Project, performance of "Iris the Dragon" at the Madness & Arts World Festival in Toronto.

ONLINE

Mental health of military kids focus of new book
The CBC's Meagan Fitzpatrick writes about how the Canadian Armed Forces partnered with Iris the Dragon to create a mental health book for military families. Posted: June 2012.

Marking Mental Health Week
"Lucky Horseshoes" donation to library, portstanleynews.com, 2006

Iris the Dragon: Mental Health E-Book Series for Kids
Our books get featured on the immensely popular We Are Teachers blog.

Raising Socially Anxious Children
Great news from Iris the Dragon, February 2009

Marking Mental Health Week
"Lucky Horseshoes" donation to library, portstanleynews.com, 2006