This was a great middle grade read about the struggle of growing up—trying to fit in and make friends, staying on top of things with school and home, and having anxiety on top of it all. I don’t know that I’d recommend this as a must read for adults, but I’d definitely recommend it to middle grade/young adult readers.

I wish this graphic novel had existed when I was a child. There are so few resources for kids who suffer from anxiety disorders and this one is unflinchingly honest. It's also a good read for the adults in kids' lives, as it shows how behaviors and words can be damaging, while also showing how adults can help kids get through it. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this story of a young girl learning to live with her anxiety while facing challenges at a new school. Livy doesn't seem to fit in anywhere - not at her new school, not with the few friends she's made there, not with her family. She's afraid to talk to her parents, Chinese immigrants to Canada, about how she feels and her anxiety manifests itself as Viola, always following her around. This was such a truthful portrayal of living with anxiety; having the creator share her own experiences at the end of the book made it even more impactful. The art is colorful and will pull readers in. Living with Viola talks about difficult situations and uncomfortable emotions, it does it in a way that will help an anxious reader of any age feel not so alone anymore.

Another one I'll be recommending. Livy's anxiety is beautifully voiced and illustrated, and it intertwines understandably with her family narrative. What I really appreciate, though, is that we see Livy, over many pages, apply the strategies she's learned in therapy. We see her take control of her anxiety, even as she accepts its presence. This is powerful stuff.

Loving this book so much. I wish I had read this when I was a kid. Highly recommended. I am so happy someone decided to make a book like this. I could see myself in the main character and the illustrations are gorgeous.

This is the kind of book I wish I could hand to my younger self, as someone who can't conceptualize a time in my life where Depression and Anxiety were not ever-present in my life, and unlike Olivia's parents, who strive to help her, my mother's response that was that everyone felt that way, so I just needed to suck it up and go on with life,

This would be a great book for a young one who is just beginning to learn about their mental illness, as this is a beautiful story about growth, support, and learning to vocalize your needs.

This is such a lovely book that is a great way to teach younger audiences about anxiety in a way they can understand. Right off the bat, I could relate to Olivia despite having never been in her exact circumstances. I saw so much of my younger self in her. I felt myself being transported back to my middle school days where I had a lot of the same insecurities and fears as she did. I appreciated that Olivia's true self was able to shine and she was not solely defined by Viola. We quickly learned her likes, her personality and it was sweet to see her light up with happiness. Viola could benefit from a better intro. It's never really explained what she is to Olivia. As an older reader I can understand she's an imaginary, personification of Liv's anxiety, but a younger reader could be initially confused at who/what she is. The illustration style was simplistic and cutesy and it felt like Olivia herself was drawing them. I also liked how the author showed Olivia making friends rather than keeping her a loner until the end. And that they showed they all had their own insecurities when it came to their friendships, and that Olivia wasn't alone. This was such a touching, at times sad story but also had other times had me chuckling and smiling. I can see this becoming a big hit at my library and even be used for book clubs.

As a parent of a child diagnosed at age ten with a severe anxiety disorder, I am always looking for books on the subject of mental health, especially children's books. Living with Viola immediately got my attention. In the book, Olivia (Livy) Tong lives in Canada and is the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Livy has anxiety. Her anxiety is portrayed as a living, breathing alter ego named Viola. Of course, Livy doesn't recognize the voice of Viola as anxiety but rather a feeling that she is not good enough. As the story unfolds, we see the pressure that Livy is under to be a good student and make her parents proud. We also see Viola's power increase as Livy shrinks further and further into herself. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Livy is finally able to ask for help, which her parents are happy to give in the form of a therapist and of course, a reminder of their unconditional love for her.

This is a graphic novel and the ARC did not translate well into an e-book form. Even though it was difficult at times, I was able to keep up with the story. I'm glad that I was. This is an important book for children and teens with anxiety or any kind of mental health issues. The graphic novel style will appeal to children who may not reach for a chapter book. Children often feel that they are the only ones who feel like they do. This book gives them permission to recognize and name what they are feeling, to know that they are not alone, and that it is OK to ask for help. The fact that Livy is of Asian descent, is a bonus. This opens up the conversation that therapy is for EVERYONE who needs it and that there is no shame in seeking help when feelings get too big.

I would absolutely buy this book for any child that struggles with anxiety, depression, identity or fitting in. It should be in every school library and required reading for all.

This is a graphic novel with charming, bright, full-color illustrations. Livy is a new girl at school, struggling to fit in and navigate the complexities of her life, like any kid. BUT! She's also living with Viola, a sort of shadowy evil twin spirit that is basically her anxiety manifested. Anyone who has dealt with anxiety in their own lives can appreciate the ways her anxiety takes shape as a companion and constant presence in her life. The anxiety demonstrates constantly how it can undermine your self-worth and impact every part of your life. If that was all this book was about, I would still appreciate it, but it is so much more. This book is a powerhouse with the intersections it explores. As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Livy is also dealing with questions about belonging, cultural dissonance, alienation, and making sense of her own identity. For many of us, there is something to relate to in Livy's experience, and plenty to learn about the ways she navigates the complexity of her middle school life. At the end of the book, I was struck by just how humanity was in each page, and how easy it was to immerse myself in Livy's story. The book moves quickly and held my attention the whole time I was reading. Since a lot of the book is about social relationships and situations, so I would probably push it for middle grades and older. There isn't anything *inappropriate* for littler kids, though. Kids with anxiety will probably really connect to the experience of living with Viola, and appreciate learning about how Livy gets through that.

This book really hit me in a tender spot. I can think of many different kinds of people I will recommend it to over the years, and I am so happy that I read it. I received a free copy via #netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this graphic novel about a middle school girl facing anxiety and cultural divide. The art style was beautiful and charming and a delight to flip through.

Middle school can be so hard. We often think of high school as the time of the most angst, adversity and societal pressure, but in middle school you are quite literally stuck between being a child and being expected to know what you will do as an adult. You aren’t old enough to work, but you are expected to take on more responsibility and independence over all. Your body is changing, hormones all wild... it’s the perfect breeding ground for an anxiety to grow. That kind of representation will really strike a chord with readers in that age range.

Wonderful.

I loved this graphic novel. I enjoyed both the art and the story. I loved how it took real life situations and problems and put it in a children’s graphic novel. It gives kids an outlet and something to relate too if they are going through the same thing. I loved how the story represented anxiety as I also suffer from it. I think it was represented well. And will be very helpful to young kids.

Living with Viola is a #ownvoice graphic novel about Olivia "Livy", living with her insecurities. A struggle that is never easy for anyone, but for Livy her personal demons have their own form, Viola. Who follows her and always has something to say, always negative.

Livy has a lot on her plate. She's a new kid at school, the decision to move to a better school is something her parents continuously bring up. Because of the reminders, Livy feelings her family finical struggle is in part her own fault and their positions embarrass her.
Livy feels a lot of pressure form her family to be a "good" girl, to be smarter, well behaved, and always do better. She constantly feels there's always more expected of her and choices she makes on her own, aren't right.

The few outlets she has for individuality, stress release, and escape are reading and drawing. But books are expensive, something her family can't afford and drawing isn't an acceptable future for her.

There's definitely an additional burden to "be" a certain way. As first generation immigrants from China to Canada, Between her parents and extended family, Livy never really feels good enough.

After a group project Livy finds herself with friends. Although they all share different interests for once she feels included. Until she doesn't.

Over the course of the book both Livy and her mother in their own ways come to term with Livy needing additional support and resources to deal with mental health. Something that is highlighted so well to ask for help and health ways to deal with caring for yourself.

**Thank you to Annick Press and NetGallery for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. **

This is a graphic novel about a girl who suffers with anxiety. As someone who suffers from general anxiety, the book does a good job of presenting how it affects someone. I, especially, like the fact that the author gave the anxiety a name and a voice. I think this would be very good for anyone that just wants to know what anxiety can be like or for someone who has anxiety. Its written for middle grades, but would be well received by young adults too.

Special thanks to netgalley for supplying an arc for an honest review.

Middle grade graphic novel speaks to readers battling anxiety, peer pressure, and parental pressure. Younger readers might be a little confused at the beginning of the book understanding the illustrations as "Viola" is Olivia's anxiety talking to her in her head. This book written in the author's own voice will speak to readers who are or have experienced Olivia's anxiety.

Rosena Fung’s new #OwnVoices graphic novel deals with real struggles for elementary and early middle school readers. Olivia is the new girl in school. Her parents immigrated to Canada, and she is dealing with the struggle of fitting in with new classmates while also being accepted and supported by her very vocal extended family. To top it off, she is also dealing with some anxiety issues and panic attacks.

Living with Viola, available October 2021) in all its full color illustrations, does an excellent job of portraying the internal struggles Olivia faces with her internal voice, aka Viola. While the majority of the book focuses on her struggles, the end does show her asking for and receiving help. She utilizes some of the techniques she learns to help deal with her anxiety.

Overall, this may be a good book for children personally experiencing anxiety themselves.

This was excellent. Kids at the library are always asking for more books like Raina Telgemeier’s, and this one will be perfect.

Mental health, especially in children, can be a very difficult topic to discuss. Rosena Fung has created a remarkable space with “Living with Viola”. Illustrations matching characters, emotions with relatable facial expressions, seamlessly transport the reader directly into the character, Livy, shoes.

“Living with Viola” explores the angst of being a middle school aged kid coping with anxiety, generational differences, cultural differences, all mixed in with the complexity of family dynamics. An energetic read, which will absolutely appeal to the interest of young readers and adults. Any parent looking to start the conversation on mental health and/or any level of anxiety should start with this graphic novel.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me an advance copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

Living With Viola is a MUST READ! An #OwnVoices middle grade graphic novel about a new girl at school, Livy, dealing with undiagnosed anxiety and panic attacks and accepting the cultural differences between her friends and herself as the daughter of Chinese parents.

I love how accessible this book will be to middle grade readers in the graphic novel form. Rosena Fung is brilliant to represent the negative self-talk and thoughts as the visual character of “Viola.” Readers will see how “Viola” influences how Livy feels when she thinks she isn’t good enough, is a loner, among the millions of other lies we convince ourselves to be true about who we are. Some of the external pressures of fitting in by people pleasing parents, peers and society are represented as well. This book covers a lot of what happens in middle grade that we carry forward in our lives.

This book is SO IMPORTANT! Give this book to all middle grade readers to help them identify and understand mental health within themselves and/or their friends. This book will change lives and sharing the message of this book with young readers (and adults who experienced something similar) explains how it’s totally normal to feel like this, that they are not alone, and asking for help is going to give them the skills to cope with every day life.

Thank you so much to Rosena Fung for sharing your experience and transforming it into a graphic novel that will save lives. You are amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A hyper realistic look at being a kid in middle school with anxiety, while trying to fit in and not disappoint your family. Olivia starts a new school, and only wants to make the voice (Viola) stop, the one that always tells her she isn't good enough, and she is loser and won't fit in. Eventually, Olivia finds a group of friends, but Viola still hasn't gone away and is now stronger than ever. Olivia has to go through many strong moments of admitting when to ask for help, and not be afraid to be her true self with those around her.

living with viola is a sweet middle grade graphic novel about livy, a chinese-canadian kid who is struggling with an undiagnosed anxiety disorder.

livy faces typical preteen anxiety, along with high expectations from her family, racist microaggressions from her peers, panic attacks, loneliness, and negative thought spirals. her anxiety is personified with as viola, the dark part of her that reminds livy of all her worst fears and bad thoughts about herself.

i really appreciate the author's note, which explains that the story was inspired by fung's own childhood struggles with anxiety. there's also a helpful cantonese glossary. the cultural representation, and livy's eventual embrace of her chinese-canadian identity, are really nicely done.

the cute art style keeps this debut from feeling too dark, considering its heavy subject matter. livy's struggles feel real and scary, but ultimately, they are manageable. i'd absolutely give this book to a kid struggling with anxiety or isolation. representation of mental health issues is so important in middle grade fiction!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.