I received a free ebook ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel is a resource on chest binding that took a study of 25 individuals and mainly focuses on the stories of 4 to present their journeys. The graphics are well done and there are valuable resources after the stories that are both informational and practical for those looking to broaden their knowledge and for those in need. Very easy to read and follow.

This was a beautifully illustrated book filled with data, personal experiences, and love. I really enjoyed hearing the variety of live experiences reflected in this work, but what took this from a good book to a great one for me were the tracking and journal exercises in the back. I don't think I have ever seen something similar before, really want to have a physical copy of this book to go through them. A great resource to have for anyone who binds, is considering binding, or knows someone who does. No matter your reason for binding, this book offers a lot of insight to make sure you are doing it safely.

Breathe is a handy and user-friendly introduction to chest binding. It is straightforward and clear, and it presents the aggregated results of a small-scale study through the graphic stories of four diverse individuals. With hints throughout at "further reading" resources, it also includes journaling prompts, a habit tracker, and the clear message that resources and support must be available for all, "not in spite of their health, but in care of it."

With aggressive humanity, Breathe is a quick and excellent book for any reader who cares about humans.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC!

I enjoyed getting to read this incredibly informative guide on safely binding. I recommend that anyone who binds or wants to reads it.

This book was very informative, helpful, and affirming. Using the graphic novel format for this topic is perfect--and having Maia Kobabe as the illustrator is amazing! I'm glad that safety and physical health was just as present in the text as mental and emotional health. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is curious about binding for themselves or what binding means to those who do it.

I love that this is in a graphic novel format and a quick read. I did enjoy the stories of gender queer folks. I didn’t realize how medically important it was to find the right type of binding for each person. As an older person, I knew people who used duct tape and didn’t realize how significantly dangerous it was. Reading this book as a speech pathologist has given me better insight when I speak to youth that are thinking of or are binding. Often times, teens will relay their concerns about gender differences and we have discussions. Now I am better informed when we do have these kinds of discussions.
Thank you #netgalley #breathe and #penguin group for allowing me to review this advanced copy.

This is a fantastic book for anyone wanting to know more about binding. Such a great resource. I like that it talked about different physical things like stretches to help and different types of binding and which are not good for your health to use. I wish liked that it had journal questions and a mental health survey.

This is such an important resource for teens, and literally anyone out there considering that binding may be for them. There shouldn't be shame. And the resources to do it in a way that is healthy and won't cause pain or damage is so important.

A short but sweet collection of stories, science, and self-help about binding safely. This is a great tool for those who wish to start binding and people just wanting to be more informed. Kobabe's illustrations are clean and informative and pair well with Dr. Peitzmeier's words. The collection could be longer in my opinion, I found that I wanted to hear more stories from people who bind as I got close to the end. There's a great section at the end about exercises and best practices which makes this a very practical book for any place that serves trans people to keep on hand.

Overall, though the graphic novel was shorter than I expected, it was a lovely and informative read!

This was absolutely fantastic. It was such important and compelling research. This is also such an important book that transmasc people can have as a resource. There were amazing prompts and exercises to utilize and I really loved the chart that was in there to track symptoms.

This was so informative and such a great resource.

I received a #Netgalley ARC of Breathe Journeys to Healthy Binding by Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier, PhD, and I'm so happy a resource like this exists! Definitely recommend it for anyone looking into binding, already binding, and parents looking for information about what types of binding may be safest for their kids.

Breathe is an examination of how to bind safely, based on a survey done in 2015, told in a short graphic novel form. It's a very quick read (68 pages and a graphic novel), but many parts of it serve as a good reference to go back to. It conveys a lot of info in that space and contains reference images for stretches which is so helpful!

It begins with an explanation of the survey methods, continues with some first person narratives about their experiences binding, discusses stretches to help reduce health issues, and concludes with discussion of the results, with further advice about binding safely.

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I was honored to receive an advanced copy of MAIA KOBABE’s newest book, Breath from Netgally and Penguin Young Readers. This book is SO Important for people who want to bind. I’m so glad there are doctors out there studying this!!
When I first started dabbling with binding, I couldn’t find a whole lot of information on the internet about healthy binding - outside of don’t use an ace bandage. I tried trans tape, which was a no go. I tried binders from Amazon, but I just couldn’t breathe and felt my chest and shoulders getting tight. I also couldn’t really reach out to anyone, since I don’t really have a big trans community where I am.
This book includes personal stories from people who bind, as well as exercises and stretches you can do to take care of yourself when you bind.
I love this book. I think it’s so important for anyone who is wanting to start binding.

I love the graphic novel format for this book. I love that there is a book on this topic. I like the author. I think that this book would make a great addition to an lgbt collection.

Breathe felt, surprisingly, a little against binding. I think that having stretches and journaling pages were very helpful but almost all the rest of the book was like 'this is how my life has been negatively impacted, but still worth it!' I hoped it would be a little more positive with more advice for people who bind. One account mentioned getting the wrong size binder and how bad it was, a perfect opportunity to explain how to find the correct size. It didn't include this information. So pretty good, but could be better.

Really great introduction to binding for teens (and all ages, whether trans or parents of trans kids). It's short, but has tons of information. I really loved the personal stories that were shared- I could have used more of those, but recognize this is for a younger audience so I appreciate that it's condensed. As a nonbinary adult, I would have loved to have this book in my youth. And as an adult, I've considered buying a binder numerous times, so this was good information for me as well. I really loved the overall message of giving information so that people can make the best decision for themselves, and that there's no right or wrong way to do it, although some are safer than others, so this book is much needed. There are also some stretches, reflection questions, and an activity to use to work through what works well for each person. Really great overall, and I'm glad this book exists.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the e-arc. Can't wait to see this in full color.

This is a brief graphic novel approach to explain the different ways to bind ones chest so that you aren’t showing your breasts. Several people are interviewed as to what they do, and how they bind, and why. Each person has a slightlyl different story to tell. Some want to get top surgery (in other words, remove the breasts), and others don’t want to. Some just want to make themselves look less like a girl. And others just don’t want to have them out there.
But, the main point of all their stories is that you can injure yourself if you bind too much, or the wrong way. That not all binders work the same way. That you have to be gentle to yourself, because if you do it wrong you will have trouble breathing, or your chest will hurt, or your back, or your neck.


I feel this is a great resource guide to those who have either been binding for a while, or want to know if it is right for them. There is no judgment, of course, in the book, and facts are presented about the different things to do for yourself, as well as what to do if you have any pains from doing this.


Because so many different body shapes, ages, and approaches are given, there should be something for anyone who wants to know more.


This book is coming out the 7th of May 2024. Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I'm recommending this for young readers at my library. It's among the books I wish I had when I was younger! Having transitioned later in life, I saw how there were an abundance of "Trans 101" books which are important, but it's nice to see something about transness that helps with practical aspects of this wonderful gender identity. Particularly wonderful, was reading the descriptions of trans joy that punctuate the helpful information in the book, where various contributors talked about what binding means to them. I remembered when I first started transitioning and how that felt like relief that spread through my entire body because I felt at home in it in ways that I didn't realize were possible. Reading about those experiences for others left me feeling happy that books like this exist, not just to share information but also to highlight our joys more than our resilience alone. I hope that libraries everywhere are able to bring a copy of this book in for their customers! Many thanks to the writers and illustrators for bringing this great book to life.

I really lovely guide with useful illustration, I work with queer and trans youth and will be recommending this book

Breathe is an incredibly valuable resource to youth interested in or perhaps already experimenting with binding. A combination of personal stories, handy tips, and research based statistics, this short and approachable guide can help a person navigate binding while taking care of both their physical and emotional health. I especially appreciated the interactive lists, charts, and activities that a reader can use to explore their own binding journey and find a way of binding that feels safe, affirming, and sustainable.

This is a very well written guide. The stories are diverse and related to the topic and the authors included many beneficial resources in the back. It's well thought out and a great addition to the library.

This book is SO important and I’m glad this resource will be available for the trans and nonbinary folks who will need it. The graphic novel makes it more accessible and digestible for those who may find reading articles overwhelming.

This is more than just a book about how to bind safety, it includes narratives from multiple people on their journey from uninformed to safety-informed binding, as well as research findings from a large study on the motivators, physical side-effects, and psychological impacts of binding. This book also works as a self-reflection through different reflection and thought exercises in the latter third of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!