NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW

DIABETease (authored by Theresa Garnero, 2003)

Finally, someone who is not afraid to laugh at diabetes! This book is a must-have for anyone who is a diabetic, knows a diabetic, or treats diabetics. Theresa Garnero perfects the balance between being informative and being entertaining with her illustrated cartoon book. What a clever idea! I wish there were similar books on other aliments. Personally, I know I would enjoy reading “P.M.S. It’s Not Your Fault – It’s OK to Blame Everyone Else” or “Diagnosed as ‘O.C.D.’ Perhaps You’re Just OLD.”

The unique feature of this book, though, isn’t its superb coupling of fear and delight. What makes DIABETease shine is its ability to function as an important resource for both adults and children. This author had a difficult task in attempting to target two distinct populations. The challenge of aiming at the old and young alike is this: how does one simultaneously instruct and amuse adults without making it inaccessible to children, yet appeal to children without sounding condescending to adults? Quite deftly, Garnero accomplishes this seemingly impossible feat.

As the book’s narrator, a ladybug named LadyBetes, judiciously journeys us through her struggles with the disease, the drawings and captions comically echo her literal sentiments. Not only does Garnero convey humor through language, but her color illustrations – as loveable as the “Cathy” comic strip (by Cathy Guisewite), yet more detailed and showcasing a whole slough of characters – are amusing even without the exposition. Whether one chooses to focus solely on the cartoons or the characters’ callouts, the giggle-out-loud quality is undeniable. For instance, in referring to her diabetic diet, one character dances with a partner and says, “I love to salsa. It’s the chips I miss!”

Although the author uses cartoons to deliver a sensitive subject, she leaves no diabetes-related stone unturned. Thoroughly and swiftly, she covers diagnosis, disease management, organ transplantation, and everything in between. And, for the more serious-minded, she supplements the vivid, realistic illustrations and dialogue balloons with a simple yet scientific lexicon. She also donates half of her profits back to diabetes research, which shows her commitment to the diabetes community. 

Thank you, Nurse Garnero, for leading us to wit and giving us permission to chuckle at (sometimes-dire) diabetes.

Reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh