Publishing date: 02.09.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

I am not very familiar with hippie life, and I am still not sure I am. I think I had envisioned something different based on other media that might not be completely aligned with reality. So this gave me another perspective to broaden my horizons a little more.

The story takes place from the birth of our protagonist, and "ends" in the now. All the while our protagonist is telling us about her life. Most of the story is about her feeling like she didn't quite fit in, reflecting on her religion, and eventually discovering how she wants to live.

I found the story to be cozy and domestic. The artstyle was fine, and the choice to make everyone birds was fascinating. It works well as a memoir, a little easier to digest maybe in this format.

I am not sure who i would recommend this to. Typical memoir readers may find it a little short and too different. Comic readers may not find the contents all that interesting. Maybe I could recommend it to anyone interested in reading about breaking away from the family norm?

Overall, an Ok read. Giving this 3 stars

This is a very cute memoir/graphic novel with lovely illustrations that keep you turning the pages.

It's short but tells a story, one that I'm sure many people can relate to in some way or another.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this graphic novel for free.

To be honest, I thought the art is meh and I thought the story was hard to follow with so much time skips..

I liked this graphic novel; I appreciated the humor, including making her story fit with the chicken character (for example, the birthing portion). It was interesting to see how someone may go from growing up in the church to the hippie lifestyle, and what that meant for them throughout their life. I also liked the little wrap up at the end of the people she had met along the way.

Birth of a Hippie was a refreshing and retrospective look into the hippie lifestyle as experienced by JoDee Samuelson

This was such a fun short read and an interesting insight into the life of JoDee Samuelson. The themes of finding out where you belong and who you are as a person are themes that a lot of people can relate to no matter their journey in this world. The emphasis on the need to follow our own individual paths instead of the paths that people have placed before us, really makes you think about your own life and what has lead to where you are on your journey, and if the path you are on is truly your own and not just what is expected of us by others.

I really enjoyed this memoir in a Graphic Novel format as I felt it gave an extra layer of insight the authors life that sometimes just reading a memoir can not give.

For me this was a solid 4 Star Read and I would recommend this to all even if your not interested in the hippie lifestyle there are so many lessons that we can learn about ourselves within these pages.

A Whimsical and Thoughtful Journey of Self-Discovery

Birth of a Hippie is a beautifully illustrated and quietly powerful memoir that captures the essence of growing up, questioning the status quo, and finding your own way in the world. JoDee Samuelson takes us from the Canadian Prairies to Prince Edward Island with a gentle, humorous voice and a keen eye for detail. Her hand-drawn illustrations bring warmth and personality to every page.

I especially appreciated how the book explores themes of identity, family expectations, and the search for community and independence. It’s a quiet kind of rebellion—the kind rooted in curiosity, simplicity, and intention. The tone is nostalgic without being overly sentimental, and the visuals really elevate the storytelling.

My only critique is that I wanted just a bit more emotional depth in a few places. Some transitions felt a little rushed, and I would’ve loved to sit with certain moments longer.

Still, this is a charming, reflective read perfect for fans of graphic memoirs, especially those who enjoy stories about personal growth, countercultural movements, and the search for belonging.

Thanks to Pownal Street Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

“Birth Of A Hippie” is the autobiographical graphic memoir by JoDee Samuelson detailing her experiences being around and a part of hippie culture.

In an effort to skip any fluff, I want to jump straight to the highs and lows of this book.

Highs:

-In a graphic novel of any kind, the art has to be as important and weighed as heavily as the story itself. In this memoir, the art is clear and has a definitive style. All the images were easy to follow, characters were recognizable and the art itself was unique and intriguing. The art is a part of why I tried this book out.

-The writing can be quite charming and nostalgic. The author’s walk through the story of her life clearly is one filled with joy and acceptance. Even in the mistakes, there is a feeling of love put into the journey that led the author to where she is now.

Lows:

-Unfortunately, I found the narrative to be quite mundane. Most of the story felt like it was all setting the stage for a larger set of events, only to find the story wrapping up. Which, while realistic, doesn’t make for the most interesting read.

-This feels like a lovely tale that someone might pass on to some younger family members- some fun story told at a family gathering the the excitement of the nieces and nephews. But as an outsider, it felt like a story without much meaning. A narrative without a message. There is nothing wrong with the narrative. But it feels lacking in direction.

Overall, while the story is well drawn and filled with charm, the lack of depth leaves it meandering and occasionally pedantic.

This was a really interesting lighthearted look about shifting cultures and the hippie scene in Canada. I found it amusing and easy to get through. I did find some of the jumping around to be a little jarring, and wish some of the parts of the story had more flow. I also found the framing device to be a little unnecessary. But the comic style was unique and fun, though some parts were pretty text heavy. Overall enjoyable and informative!

A cute, straightforward memoir with a bit of humor and a lot of heart.

I was particularly interested in the culturally historic aspects of this. As someone much younger than the author, this was an informative look into Canadian culture in the 1960’s and ‘70s from a personal, first hand perspective.

The drawings are a nice visual aid to the telling of the story, which is quite meaty despite the book being relatively short. And, of course, the choice to depict all the human characters as birds was super cute and led to some funny moments.

This book would be great as an introduction for anyone interested in the hippie cultural era.

Another delightful and humorous graphic biography, this time about the life of a hippie. Anthropomorphic-style that kept me turning the page, wanting to learn more about this child of a Swedish Baptist Minister. One of those books that would sit nicely in anyone's collection for when they need something positive and upbeat to lift themselves.

This was a lighthearted yet poignant graphic memoir that follows the journey of a Baptist minister's daughter who goes on to discover herself, and embrace the hippie lifestyle with her partner. It is reflective, interesting and has some witty observations thrown in for good measure. Themes like religious identity, family dynamics, growing up pains, first love, and even career path discussions with parents are relatable and universal.

If you enjoy graphic novels that blend personal history with sharp commentary, Birth of a Hippie is promising. Music lovers will appreciate the references -- I smiled each time the author JoDee mentioned singing in harmonies! Also Gordon Lightfoot whose subtle and controlled vibrato I discovered last year in "If you Could Read my Mind." last year.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC Copy.

I was given a copy of Birth of a Hippie by JoDee Samuelson from Pownal Street Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Working in an office, a book like Birth of a Hippie is ideal for a break. The illustrations were excellent and the social-cultural historical leanings were varied. I certainly didn't feel like a hippie after, but it's very much to say that the hippie lifestyle is strong because people commit to its shared messaging. I also appreciated learning that paisley was an Iranian design concept that took off. That was a great of trivia.

A lighthearted, cute, sometimes humorous and sometimes serious graphic memoir. I liked the ingenuity of the comic style. It’s the first time I’ve seen a memoir laid out this way. As a Priest’s daughter who is both religious and spiritual, I empathized with a lot of the story. Well told and original.