Every library needs this book! It’s difficult to find safe information about binding especially if one is navigating online information and having difficulty finding researched fact backed info. Having the information in a graphic novel format increases the accessibility as well. The book even includes stretches and reflection activities to support a safe binding journey. All of the information is researched and backed by studies and the stretches are shared by a physiotherapist and massage therapist.
The main focus is on finding a balance between good mental health in facing gender dysphoria and safe binding practices. It’s very affirming and flexible in sharing ideas on how to listen to your own body’s needs and making small changes like sizing up or reducing wear time.
As a nonbinary adult who has struggled with back, shoulder, and neck pain in relation to dysphoria, this is a very important tool for the community.

**Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5**
*Breath: Journeys to Healthy Binding* is a brilliantly creative and informative manual on binding health for individuals, especially young people, who are exploring binding options and practices that will affirm them.

>> What I loved: It is difficult to find a book that is both accessible and grounded in research, and *Breathe* hits the mark on both counts. I love the mix of personal stories with actionable health information and opportunities for individual reflection provided within this little workbook. I can only imagine how transformative a book like this will be for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals who are navigating the process of binding.

I would strongly recommend this book for any youth and adults, especially those who are binding or thinking about binding, or those who have friends and family in their lives who are binding. I think every Library that serves the public should seek to add this to their collection. Additionally, this would be an invaluable resource for school counselors and social workers working with young people. Books like this are absolutely necessary, and I am grateful to the authors for creating it.

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Maia Kobabe & Sarah Peitzmeier, PhD, and Penguin Young Readers Group/Dutton Books for Young Readers, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

Four people share their experiences with binding, including the euphoria and the health concerns. Each offers tips on how to stay safe while also affirming gender, and the book continues with some instructions on exercises, journaling, community, and healthcare to help prompt discussion and action for anyone who wears a binder.

This book is gentle and affirming and offers some great information for anyone who binds or is considering binding. It isn't exhaustive, but it is an easy read and a good starting place.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

i never thought i'd see a book about binding in my life, and it's so cool! being a trans masc person, binding is a thing that has so many differences based on the person that not many people understand, sometimes youtube tutorials can't help. adored this!

Very informative and helpful! I was miserable binding before my top surgery, and a lot of the information in this book would have helped me be more comfortable. Safety is most important and this book presents information about binding in a judgement-free and safety-conscious way. I appreciate the inclusion of nonbinary people, people who plan on having surgery, and people who don't - all are valid and I think a gender expansive take on these topics is very important, especially for readers who are at the beginning of their gender journey and still exploring what works best for them.

Easily digestible introduction to concepts, who binds, how they bind, different binding methods, benefits and risks of binding. In addition to telling the binding stories of several people of different generations, it offers important practical information on how to bind safely and how to address some of the common physical complaints associated with binding. It stresses the importance of good communication with parents and healthcare providers for safe binding practices. I'd highly recommend this to young people and their parents alike.

I received a free ebook ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel is a resource on chest binding that took a study of 25 individuals and mainly focuses on the stories of 4 to present their journeys. The graphics are well done and there are valuable resources after the stories that are both informational and practical for those looking to broaden their knowledge and for those in need. Very easy to read and follow.

This was a beautifully illustrated book filled with data, personal experiences, and love. I really enjoyed hearing the variety of live experiences reflected in this work, but what took this from a good book to a great one for me were the tracking and journal exercises in the back. I don't think I have ever seen something similar before, really want to have a physical copy of this book to go through them. A great resource to have for anyone who binds, is considering binding, or knows someone who does. No matter your reason for binding, this book offers a lot of insight to make sure you are doing it safely.

Breathe is a handy and user-friendly introduction to chest binding. It is straightforward and clear, and it presents the aggregated results of a small-scale study through the graphic stories of four diverse individuals. With hints throughout at "further reading" resources, it also includes journaling prompts, a habit tracker, and the clear message that resources and support must be available for all, "not in spite of their health, but in care of it."

With aggressive humanity, Breathe is a quick and excellent book for any reader who cares about humans.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC!

I enjoyed getting to read this incredibly informative guide on safely binding. I recommend that anyone who binds or wants to reads it.

This book was very informative, helpful, and affirming. Using the graphic novel format for this topic is perfect--and having Maia Kobabe as the illustrator is amazing! I'm glad that safety and physical health was just as present in the text as mental and emotional health. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is curious about binding for themselves or what binding means to those who do it.

I love that this is in a graphic novel format and a quick read. I did enjoy the stories of gender queer folks. I didn’t realize how medically important it was to find the right type of binding for each person. As an older person, I knew people who used duct tape and didn’t realize how significantly dangerous it was. Reading this book as a speech pathologist has given me better insight when I speak to youth that are thinking of or are binding. Often times, teens will relay their concerns about gender differences and we have discussions. Now I am better informed when we do have these kinds of discussions.
Thank you #netgalley #breathe and #penguin group for allowing me to review this advanced copy.

This is a fantastic book for anyone wanting to know more about binding. Such a great resource. I like that it talked about different physical things like stretches to help and different types of binding and which are not good for your health to use. I wish liked that it had journal questions and a mental health survey.

This is such an important resource for teens, and literally anyone out there considering that binding may be for them. There shouldn't be shame. And the resources to do it in a way that is healthy and won't cause pain or damage is so important.

A short but sweet collection of stories, science, and self-help about binding safely. This is a great tool for those who wish to start binding and people just wanting to be more informed. Kobabe's illustrations are clean and informative and pair well with Dr. Peitzmeier's words. The collection could be longer in my opinion, I found that I wanted to hear more stories from people who bind as I got close to the end. There's a great section at the end about exercises and best practices which makes this a very practical book for any place that serves trans people to keep on hand.

Overall, though the graphic novel was shorter than I expected, it was a lovely and informative read!

This was absolutely fantastic. It was such important and compelling research. This is also such an important book that transmasc people can have as a resource. There were amazing prompts and exercises to utilize and I really loved the chart that was in there to track symptoms.

This was so informative and such a great resource.

I received a #Netgalley ARC of Breathe Journeys to Healthy Binding by Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier, PhD, and I'm so happy a resource like this exists! Definitely recommend it for anyone looking into binding, already binding, and parents looking for information about what types of binding may be safest for their kids.

Breathe is an examination of how to bind safely, based on a survey done in 2015, told in a short graphic novel form. It's a very quick read (68 pages and a graphic novel), but many parts of it serve as a good reference to go back to. It conveys a lot of info in that space and contains reference images for stretches which is so helpful!

It begins with an explanation of the survey methods, continues with some first person narratives about their experiences binding, discusses stretches to help reduce health issues, and concludes with discussion of the results, with further advice about binding safely.

🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

I was honored to receive an advanced copy of MAIA KOBABE’s newest book, Breath from Netgally and Penguin Young Readers. This book is SO Important for people who want to bind. I’m so glad there are doctors out there studying this!!
When I first started dabbling with binding, I couldn’t find a whole lot of information on the internet about healthy binding - outside of don’t use an ace bandage. I tried trans tape, which was a no go. I tried binders from Amazon, but I just couldn’t breathe and felt my chest and shoulders getting tight. I also couldn’t really reach out to anyone, since I don’t really have a big trans community where I am.
This book includes personal stories from people who bind, as well as exercises and stretches you can do to take care of yourself when you bind.
I love this book. I think it’s so important for anyone who is wanting to start binding.

I love the graphic novel format for this book. I love that there is a book on this topic. I like the author. I think that this book would make a great addition to an lgbt collection.

Breathe felt, surprisingly, a little against binding. I think that having stretches and journaling pages were very helpful but almost all the rest of the book was like 'this is how my life has been negatively impacted, but still worth it!' I hoped it would be a little more positive with more advice for people who bind. One account mentioned getting the wrong size binder and how bad it was, a perfect opportunity to explain how to find the correct size. It didn't include this information. So pretty good, but could be better.

Really great introduction to binding for teens (and all ages, whether trans or parents of trans kids). It's short, but has tons of information. I really loved the personal stories that were shared- I could have used more of those, but recognize this is for a younger audience so I appreciate that it's condensed. As a nonbinary adult, I would have loved to have this book in my youth. And as an adult, I've considered buying a binder numerous times, so this was good information for me as well. I really loved the overall message of giving information so that people can make the best decision for themselves, and that there's no right or wrong way to do it, although some are safer than others, so this book is much needed. There are also some stretches, reflection questions, and an activity to use to work through what works well for each person. Really great overall, and I'm glad this book exists.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the e-arc. Can't wait to see this in full color.