Review by Booklist Review
In this autobiographical collection of thoughtful and poignant comic vignettes, Chisholm explores her experiences with depression, anxiety, and love. Broken into four individual sections examining different aspects of her diagnoses and experiences, Chisholm's comics take readers on a journey, from dealing with depression and panic attacks to finding help, receiving a diagnosis, and more. Each chapter contains related stories pertaining to that part of her mental health and includes insight into her own experiences that will definitely resonate with others dealing with similar issues. While Chisholm's bubbly pastel artwork is in sharp contrast to the seriousness of her experiences, it's perfectly in keeping with the lighthearted tone of her comics and adds appeal for teen readers. Some stories are full-page, others consist of four panels or a mixture of varying styles of design, which nicely breaks up the reading experience. This graphic novel provides comfort and information to those dealing with similar challenges and those who know someone who is.--Traci Glass Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Chisholm's graphic memoir about her battle to overcome panic and gloom is told with an almost adorably cute sadness. Based on Chisholm's webcomic, it begins as a matter-of-fact journal. "I was diagnosed with depression in December of 2016" launches a brisk chronicle of her treatment, medications, and experiences. The collection that follows is loosely grouped into "Depression," "Anxiety," "Love and Relationships," and "Growth." Most of the comics are one-off variations on her themes of self-deprecation and processing through her crushingly black moods. The best of these quirkily simple works marry gloom with wry irony: "The Depressed Introvert" shows her cheerily announcing "I'm alone!" then realizing with wide-eyed fear: "So very alone..." The mix of lightly mocked despair and chirpy optimism blends nicely with the cute and cozy drawings. Other pages lay out straightforward antidotes for fighting anxiety and panic attacks, broken down into what worked for Chisholm (getting a dog) and what didn't (waking up early). Unafraid of offering prescriptive help or acknowledging her own backslides, Chisholm is so eager to lend a helping hand that she includes a page of blank frames for the reader to fill in. This is a sweet-natured, guardedly optimistic handbook for working through the bad times with an occasional well-earned laugh. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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