Kids Comics Pitchfest 2023 Showcase

Designing Eleanor Christine

12 y.o. Cosplay-loving Eleanor Christine wrestles with guilt because her mom died while giving birth to her, and she believes her dad hates her. Grandma's love mends Eleanor's lonely heart, but Grandma has dementia and may soon forget her. Eleanor copes with challenging feelings by sketching her mom into Christine the Warrior Queen, an imaginary superhero confidant. A move to Chicago and missteps with new friends launch Eleanor on an emotional journey of learning how to stitch connections and repair relationships. Despite starting a hero-wear business and fundraising for a makerspace, Eleanor's school and home life unravel. Can Eleanor open up to the living and design a world where she's the superhero of her story?

My Why:

I'm a former social worker who provided therapy to grieving kids & families. When I treated a little girl whose mom died after her birth, I was shocked to learn that the US has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations. I jotted down the story idea & years later, it became this graphic novel. As a social worker & writer, I have witnessed the intersection of expressive arts & superheroes in healing loss because of superheroes' ability to survive profound pain, transform, & grow. Plus, I'm in artists' alley at numerous Comic Cons & secretly yearn to be Gamora! I wove dementia into the story because I caregive for my mom, providing funny & sad material directly from my life & skillfully addressing an issue kids face.