My Life Beyond Diabetes: A Mayo Clinic Patient Story

This is a beautifully illustrated zine graphic novel that offers a kid’s perspective on living with diabetes.

Emily, excited to camp in Minnesota, packs her glucose monitor and supplies for managing her type 1 diabetes. Near the campsite, she meets Frostbite, a talking wolf. Emily embarks on an adventure with Frostbite to find the wolf’s family! She checks her blood sugar, eats well, and takes insulin to keep her levels in range.

A pediatric diabetes expert from Mayo Clinic oversees this informative zine. Full-color panel illustrations bring Emily’s story to life, including a full-spread explanation of diabetes’s effects. Backmatter provides additional information for children and adults, including a glossary, an explanation from the expert, and resources. This is recommended for kids ages 8 to 11.