Graphic Novel Reviews: A Difficult Thing: The Importance of Admitting Mistakes

Choose your words carefully, and keep your friends close.

A Difficult Thing: The Importance of Admitting Mistakes is a quick and relatable story about feelings. Using one word and three colors, the story acts like a silent film. Every page is a panel and reads like a storyboard. An anthropomorphized dog tries to keep his friendship with an anthropomorphized rooster after an unseen accident. The minimal approach of this picture book highlights the importance of feelings and apologies. Friendship is full of ups and downs, and this story helps readers feel empowered. Although this graphic novel is written for a young audience, the story is important and enjoyable for readers of all ages.

The artwork is simplistic and charming. The story moves with the speed and succinctness of a comic strip. The minimal color and brushstrokes are reminiscent of Blueberries for Sal by McCloskey. The characters are similar to Earl from Patrick McDonnell’s Mutt comics or Hobbes from Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. They have simple lines but convey complex emotions.

This graphic novel is a delightful story dealing with important emotions and actions. A Difficult Thing: The Importance of Admitting Mistakes takes moments to read, but the story will linger with readers for years to come. For fans of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, this graphic novel is designed for children and enjoyable for all ages. Choosing to read this graphic novel is not a difficult thing.

-Angela Dabrowski, Senior Library Assistant