Member Reviews
I received and advanced digital copy of this book through NetGalley.
I am not an artist. The idea of a self help drawing journal was new to me, and I had my reservations at first, but I was so pleased to find that the flow of this book and the freedom in the prompts actually gave me confidence in my artistic abilities. Sutton's words of encouragement and ability to relate to the struggles that come with daily anxiety were so calming, and quite charming at some points, that I was able to let go of my unease and draw until my anxiety faded away. I can see myself coming back to this book until the pages are too full to draw anymore. I look forward to purchasing a physical copy for my similarly anxious friends, artists and non-artists alike.
There was a good variety of drawing prompts to follow to help focus on the present. It doesn't matter if you're good at drawing or not, since the main goal is just to draw what the prompts say and focus solely on the action of doing it.
"Drawing on Anxiety" is a useful resource if you're looking into mindfulness strategies for your daily life. Sutton's illustrations are cute, and the prompts are easy to follow. I appreciate that the book wasn't preachy or patronising – Sutton discusses some of her own struggles and emphasises multiple times that she does not always succeed with her strategies 100%. There is a lot of space given for the drawings, some examples are added to make them easier to follow.
Some of the prompts are available on several pages, so you can track your progress for longer. This can be particularly useful if you're going for the ebook version, as you can have multiple copies of the pages to work on, although this may not be effective if you're trying to reduce your screentime. My only gripe with the e-arc was the quality of the illustrations, as they felt very compressed. However, this might not be the case with the final release.
Overall, this can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety. As Sutton herself states, it's not a cute, and additional tips are resources are provided at the end, so you can combine several tools and strategies to manage your anxiety.
This is a very cute book. And I'm sure this will be very effective in helping with anxiety, over-thinking et cetera. But I don't see this book working in ebook version at all. I can review this book but I can't really use it either. Sure, I can grab another drawing book but that defeats the whle purpose of this book. So physical version, absolutely 4 stars. Ebook version? 2 stars.
I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this arc! It was so gorgeously designed, and had a ton of mindful prompts that have you work through anxious feelings. It was inspiring to read through, and I could see it being really beneficial.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully executed combination of artistic exploration paired with social and emotional learning, teaching self awareness and mindfulness practices through art in a heartfelt way. I like the structure of the book which gives personal reflections from the author before each artistic activity. It's designed so that the reader can engage in a non-linear way and even come back to some exercises repeatedly. It's a lovely way to encourage introspection and self analysis with open ended questions.
This book could be life changing. For someone who has been dealing with anxiety since my childhood, this book channels it and has you express it in such a helpful, eyeopening way. It has facts about anxiety that can help you deal with it when it attacks. This was so well done!
What a gorgeous book. It's already made my list of best self help books to give as gifts. What Kate Sutton does so beautifully is encourage you to slow down and notice the little things. But unlike so many experts that can sound condescending, Kate prompts you to come up with the answers yourself in amongst her gorgeous illustrations.
I personally can't bring myself to write or draw in any book - but I would use this and follow along in my own journal. This is the kind of book therapists could buy in bulk and give to clients to use as homework in between sessions - it's that good! Some truly thoughtful exercises in here, based on CBT and mindfulness models.
Thank you NetGalley and Leaping Hare Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
What a treat to take a look at this book! I guess I would call it a journal, or maybe an art book, it fills a lot of categories! There is space to write what is stressing you out, but also ideas to help you not be stressed, and activities to help you release that stress. Even though this is written for adults, I see this as being a helpful book for tweens and teens as well. I enjoyed flipping through it on my phone in digital form, but this would be a great book to have a hard copy of!
While including descriptions from the author's personal experiences, this book offers space for readers to use as an art journal. Each segment has unique artwork and background, and I enjoy that the writing is not in a font. My only criticism is that the Resources section comes after the Index, and I would recommend placing it before the index. If I had been reading this in a physical copy, I would have assumed that was the end of the book and would have missed out. Otherwise, this is a lovely, reflective read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
This book gets it. The "After hanging out with a friend" part is all too real.
I'm kind of blown away by the effort and creativity put into this book. All the different doodles, advice and activities - I absolutely love it.
I think this book would be a great gift for anyone, not just those who suffer from anxiety. But for those who do, this book understands and provides different coping mechanisms which you may find useful.
This is such a beautiful journal that I will definitely be buying and using enthusiastically. I love the illustrations in there already and I feel inspired to draw my own using the prompts. This is lovely and I think it would make a lovely gift too.
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare, Kate Sutton and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I need this book to be in Spanish and available to buy. I would like to be able to give it to several people I know who would help a lot to have it in their hands.
I was never much of a fan of writing or drawing the books. I've never liked that "destroy this journal" type of book or stuff like that (although some people make tremendous art) and I've always been pretty judgmental of it. But I think now I could understand it a little more and I feel like this book is perfect.
There are more and more people with anxiety, whether we like it or not, society leads us to that and sometimes we can do little. And that a book tries to focus us, calm us down and invite us to focus on what we draw and on the slogans. It's beautiful, it's comforting, and at the same time it terrifies me that I KNOW so many people who could use it.
What is happening to us?
Beyond this reflection, I loved the type of art, the slogans it presents, how each one can give it its own style and color, since the slogans are so general and broad that each one chooses what to do, how to do it, and which one to do.
These types of books invite us not to feel alone on this immense planet.
Thank you for this book, for the dedication. I hope it can reach many more people.
Drawing On Anxiety
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book! Art has always been an anxiety reducer for me. I enjoyed the first few educational chapters. The writing prompt removes the stress of staring at a blank page. No, you do not need to be a great artist to benefit from Drawing On Anxiety. I liked the casual teaching style.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and look forward to getting a copy for my teenage daughter. Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Drawing On Anxiety is a beautiful journalling type book where the author encourages you to use your creativity in drawing (even if your not great at it) as therapy to help calm and ease your mind. The book is made up of the authors own journey and experiences with anxiety and has slotted a huge selection of prompts and creative pages for you to draw your own drawings as you make your way through the book. I'd have loved a physical copy of this book ad drawing in a bit of paper looking at the book on my phone wasn't the best experience and the physical book I'm sure will be 100% better.I liked how many pages there were I'm this book for you to create your own drawings and even write on in-between the authors thoughts and experiences. This book is very calming and soothing and will definitely be a book I will be looking to get in physical form in the future.
I previewed this book on Netgalley and found it a wonderful resource. Anxiety can keep us in so wound up in our heads and this book gives wonderful suggestions and demonstrations of ways to refocus our thoughts on the present by using drawing and encouraging suggestions to bring us into the moment and de-escalate. By giving an example and then providing space to explore the exercise within the workbook it makes it easy to pick up the book and hep yourself by turning to a page and shifting the anxiety by drawing.
I really enjoyed this overall. It has definitely helped me in being more mindful and would recommend to my friends!
Drawing On Anxiety is such a beautifully illustrated journal that is part self-help, part self-care that is filled with guided prompts to destress in a friendly way. It's interactive and filled with positive affirmations.
This title is a self-help book that is based upon art therapy principles and practices. It is well put together and I think will be welcomed by those who struggle with anxiety. It is beautifully illustrated with spaces for the book’s owner to draw as well.
The book begins with information about the role that anxiety may play in a person’s life and the ways in which this is similar or different to other emotions like worry or stress. There is then some discussion of mindfulness. There are also quotes and thoughts from the author throughout this title.
The pages for drawing have good prompts. Book purchasers can go in order or flit to whatever appeals.
I very much like this book. I think that I will buy the hard copy when it is released.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Drawing on Axiety helps readers deal with anxiety in an easy, thoughtful and playful way. It explains the difference between anxiety, fear, worry, and stress and then begins to show us ways to ease our minds.
It provides helpful tips, journal prompts, encourages mindfulness and naming our emotions, supports acceptance of our feelings, and promotes creativity as a vaiid way to express and handle our anxiety.
This is a fun, no pressure book that offers helpful information, and gently guides readers back to feelings of peacefulness and calm. This book will be helpful for a wide range of ages and people. Very well done!
My thanks to Leaping Hare Press for permitting me to read an ARC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication 1/17/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.