A Bubble

Drawn near the end of her life, surrounded by the nature and calm of Anacortes, Washington, Genevieve Castree drew one final gift for her two-year-old daughter, the stunning board book A Bubble. Leaving behind a last note for a young child is an incomprehensible task; Castree responds with grace and subtlety. Using precise, exquisite drawings of herself and her daughter, Castree depicts changes in their daily routines as a greater story unfolds. Mother and daughter float from page to page, encased in a bubble that protects them from the outside world. A contemplation of love and loss, A Bubble is a lasting declaration, a final memory, a comfort for others experiencing grief, and a beautiful archive of one of the world s most talented cartoonist s final artistic achievements. Known for her hauntingly beautiful music (under the names O PAON and Woelv), engrossingly detailed album illustrations, and delicate, subtle comics, Castree s previous graphic novel, Susceptible, shows her rare ability to handle difficult personal material with intimacy and honesty. A Bubble acts as an extension of her life story and the final chapter of a beautifully full existence. Castree passed away in 2016 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.