Popcorn

As a comedic illustrated middle-grade novel about anxiety, Popcorn’s form and cast of characters support the author’s exploration of the role of humor and art in coping with mental health challenges. Like Rob Harrell himself, Andrew lives with anxiety and OCD and uses amusing drawings as a way to process his conditions. One of the main ways Andrew copes is by creating the Anxiety Files. He begins drawing the comics at Dr. Cain’s suggestion: “She […] gave me some breathing exercises and a sketchbook to ‘draw my feelings’ in and stuff that kinda sorta maybe helped? Results may vary” (31). Initially, Andrew tells his therapist that he “can’t draw” (102), but the process of learning how to manage his anxiety helps him discover new strengths about himself, such as creativity and resilience. In addition, there are clear differences in the book between the comics that are drawn “by Andrew” compared to the more polished illustrations presented as the characters’ school pictures. This contrast underlines that art’s therapeutic effects aren’t limited to those who consider themselves imbued with artistic talent but rather that anyone can benefit from a creative outlet.

Throughout the story, Harrell uses Andrew’s mental health challenges to illustrate the helpfulness of art and humor while also presenting realistic limitations on the efficacy of these coping mechanisms.