Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier

81PDBD4R8OL
Publisher
Age Range
8+
Release Date
October 21, 2025
ISBN
978-1338885484
Buy This Book
     
Spend an afternoon with Raina as she shares her artwork and tells stories about a range of topics spanning from her childhood to the creation of her graphic novels Smile, Sisters, Guts, Drama, and Ghosts!
Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning cartoonist who has been at the forefront of today’s middle-grade graphic novel boom and has published several beloved books that are widely regarded as modern classics. The idea to create FacingFeelings was born from an exhibition featuring Raina’s work that was shown at The Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This book explores how Raina developed into a legendary cartoonist, looks at the artists who influenced her work, and considers why her art resonates so strongly with readers of all ages. Rare artwork, an interview, special commentary from Raina, and more are included!

Editor review

1 review
Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier
(Updated: June 19, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Learning Value
 
5.0
What worked: Great insight into the inspiration behind children's illustrator/author Raina Telgemeier. This non-fiction book offers fans of GHOST, SMILE, and THE BABYSITTER'S CLUB a glimpse into Telgemeier's creative process.

As a retired first-grade teacher, what I loved about this book was how the illustrator shows her early years, such as her journaling in first grade (something I also did with my former students), and also shows personal photographs of her before and after getting braces. Telgemeier shares what comics inspired her at not only an early age, but also later in college.

What's perfect is how she shows her interpretation of such emotions as happiness, sadness, and anger. She goes over how personal the graphic novel 'Guts' was with her anxiety and shows how it's okay to go to therapy to help with issues.

At the beginning is an interview of Telgemeier that gives not only a backdrop on this illustrator, but her inspirations and much!

Totally recommend for fans of GUTS, SMILE, GHOST, DRAMA, but also for classrooms with bubbling illustrators. This book provides insight into the illustrator's process, which is definitely a plus!
Good Points
1. Great insight into the inspiration behind children's illustrator/author Raina Telgemeier
2. Perfect for classrooms
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