On a Sunbeam

This was a very sweet story. Space is cool.

This is one of those that I will reread and reread for eternity. I shiver when I think about this work, where Tillie was a master in both writing and illustration. The drawings are unique, and the shades of blue, red, and purple make each image impactful, and the message ends up being conveyed first visually and only later through the text. Set in a future that the author does not specify, where humanity has conquered the galaxy and taken over new planets, we meet Mia, the protagonist, who has recently joined a crew composed of a couple of two women, their niece, and Elliot (a non-binary character), who travel through space reconstructing buildings and cities. For me, the most fascinating aspect is that this sci-fi universe does not overshadow the characters and their struggles. We traverse the present while constantly returning to the past: Mia is lost because, in another time, she was in love with Grace, and Grace was taken from her without the possibility of protest. Love, friendship, loyalty, and loss are constants in this book, which is not just a coming-of-age story but also about resolution and making peace with our decisions. With Tillie, each panel is experienced with an unparalleled intensity. I cried, both of sadness and relief. It's sublime. She teaches us with simplicity that it is never too late to change the world, both externally and internally. "It's like the older you get, the more you forget that you can change things."

Absolutely adorable