This book is a great visual representation of what anxiety is like and kids may not have experienced it as much so it's helpful to have a book like this to guide them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I adore the way this book describes and shows depression in an elementary age child. There are some great images to show the 'invisible thorns and vines' that Olivia grows when she feels anxious. This will be a great resource to help children express how their anxiety feels.

This was an adorable story with wonderful illustrations! My daughter enjoyed listening to it and I would recommend to anyone who wants a great book to add to their library!

This book sounded interesting, and the cover appealed, but I honestly had a hard time getting through it. Not on I'd recommed.

This is a great book about anxiety for elementary students. Using the metaphor of vines, Olivia explains what triggers her anxiety, what it feels like, and some things that help her cope. Her anxiety is addressed supportively by the adults in her life and she is not shamed for it (though she imagines that possibility while catastrophizing).

The illustrations are bright, detailed, and full of emotion. I like the subtle little notes and jokes in some of the pictures as well--they will really help older students engage with the pictures. This would be a great read-aloud book for the classroom. Students who can identify with Olivia will know they aren't alone and kids who don't identify can still begin to build empathy.

This would be a great addition to elementary school, classroom, and community libraries!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I received an e-arc of Olivia Wrapped in Vines by Maude Nepveu-Villeneuve and Sandra Dumais from Orca Book Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Wrapped in Vines touches upon the topic of anxiety in a colourful way, utilizing the metaphor of vines. It is a picture book that follows the character of Olivia, as she describes her anxiety and the things that bring about the vines (anxiety). Through this story, readers will also be able to discuss anxiety in a way that may be more simple and approachable for young children.

This is such a sweet read! Great for children and their loved ones alike, it presents such a unique take on anxiety that--frankly--everyone could benefit from. The pandemic has made life weird (at minimum) for _all_ of us, and "Olivia Wrapped in Vines" starts needed conversations about the things that make us nervous.

Removing the stigma around this "invisible issue" is sooooo needed, and this book goes a long way in starting that. I love, too, that it includes action items at the end. Parents/loved ones, I defo encourage you to check that out as well, and start the conversation with your young readers!

The illustrations, as well, are absolutely charming; I definitely want to look up the artist and see what other books she's done!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4/5 stars.

This is a great explanation of anxiety for little ones. A good lesson and visual.

I like that there’s a little exercise list at the end to run through to figure out anxiety triggers and what it means to the child reading the book

Anxiety is something that is not talked about enough. In my house I have three kids that suffer from anxiety as well as myself. This was a new way of explaining anxiety. I really enjoyed learning this for myself as an adult. Talking to my kids about how anxiety is like thorns and imagining them cutting them down instead of breathing through them. Because I know for me breathing through anxiety does not help. So we will definitely be trying the imagine cutting Vines down. I also liked how the teacher was encouraging and helped her overcome what she was dealing with instead of shaming her.

I thought this was pretty cute. The illustrations were great and as someone with anxiety I really loved the message it had. I thought some of the writing was a bit clunky, however. As a librarian (not youth services but close enough!) I couldn't help but think how awkward this book would have been to read aloud (writing wise not subject!). The nicknames from the teacher was part of the problem, but the nickname game at the end was cute.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this little book.

This book helps to teach children about healthy coping mechanisms and shows a really good example of how to provide a safe space/be a safe person/someone to trust for a child (or anyone) with anxious thoughts and behaviors.

As someone with anxiety, I wish this book would have been available to me when I was a child.

I think the art style complements the story really well and is engaging for its target audience.

Olivia Wrapped in Vines by Maude Nepveu-Villeneuve is a beautiful picture book that likens feelings of anxiety and dread to being wrapped in a tangle of vines that restrict activities and keep others away. Gorgeously illustrated in watercolour by Sandra Dumais, we meet Olivia, a young girl whose feelings seem too big to manage and resulting in what she compares to being encased by a prison of vines and thorns. When Olivia's teacher offers some suggestions for deep breathing and visualization exercises, Olivia feels, for the first time, the hold of her anxiety begin to loosen.

This book will certainly resonate with any child who has struggled with feelings of fear and anxiety and will, most importantly, reassure them that they are not alone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for an ARC.