Learning to Cope

In Living with Viola, Livy is going through a lot. She has trouble fitting in at her new school. She has trouble living up to her parents’ expectations. And there’s Viola. She’s a shadowy version of Livy that follows her everywhere, telling her she’s not good enough. Viola causes Livy self-doubt and even panic attacks.

Author Rosena Fung created Viola to give a voice to Livy’s anxiety. She was inspired by her own experiences. “When I have anxiety, I hear my own voice in my head, telling me bad things,” she says.

Livy learns to manage her anxiety using strategies like breathing exercises and cooking. “Not every coping strategy will work for everyone,” Fung says. “But I want kids to know that help is out there.”