I’m thrilled to see more graphic novels for young people dealing frankly and straightforwardly with mental health. Good Boy by Andy Hirsch is the latest I’ve seen in this category, and it also has dogs! (Which Hirsch does very well, as he also wrote and illustrated Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector.)
This book starts by reminding us that there aren’t bad dogs, just ones that are scared or uncertain. Much like Charlie, our protagonist. He’s human, and his anxiety is so bad that sometimes, when he is worried or nervous, he throws up.
His parents bring home Ralph, a rescue dog. They’re getting to know each other slowly, until Ralph follows Charlie to school one day. Thankfully, the principal’s assistant is part of a dog club and knows how useful training can be for both of them.
The club also does agility courses, which is a perfect activity for the high-energy Ralph. Working on this together, getting through a kind of timed obstacle course for the dog, will improve how Charlie and Ralph communicate with each other.
Good Boy is full of great cartooning, with the dogs and the people’s emotions, as well as lots of humor. Many readers will know from the beginning where this is going — helping his dog succeed will also help Charlie manage his anxiety — but it’s a terrific journey seeing them work through it.
English (US) · 