Simon Boulerice’s text reflects his undeniable ability to adapt his writing and his effects to the readers he is addressing, without ever lecturing or infantilizing them […]. On the contrary, as a fine balancing act, the prolific author manages to address once again a lesser-known reality with great sensitivity and credibility. However, it is the soft and delicate illustrations by Eve Patenaude that make ‘Papier bulle’ particularly fascinating. — Valérie Lessard, Radio-Canada

Simon Boulerice once again invites young and old alike to follow in the footsteps of his delicate and wonderful pen. An intelligent book, carried by the poetry of Eve Patenaude’s drawings, which transform simple bloodstains into magnificent blossoming flowers. — Le Soleil

Eve Patenaude’s superb illustrations weave this magnificent story of resilience with as much power as Simon Boulerice’s words, where boldness is chiselled with delicacy. We want to frame each of the images! — Chrystine Brouillet, Salut Bonjour

‘Papier bulle’ is an album that makes you want to draw power from our differences, to reject mockery and criticism to draw the strength to dream, to reflect on what makes us unique. A book that I would have loved to hold in my hands as a teenager, and that I would be delighted to share with those around me. — Annick Lavogiez, Page par page

With Simon Boulerice, there is no mistaking it. The author, with his sensitive pen, knows how to deal with a young audience. He always tackles the most marginal subjects in a skillful and poetic way. […] A magnificent work, as much in its content as in its container. — Coup de pouce

I knew that the book was 100% based on bleeding and I didn’t want it to be creepy imagery because it could have easily fallen into horror imagery. That’s when I got the idea to turn the bleeds into red flowers. Even before I had this idea, Simon had the idea to include the flowers in the text with the geraniums that his father gives to Hortense. — Eve Patenaude, for Le Devoir, August 21, 2021

Real eye candy. […] The illustrations are amazing. I love the bleeding technique and the bright red flowers that dot the pages. — Pour cœur littéraire

A wonderful story about difference and empathy. With gentleness and poetry, the author shows us the world of Hortense. This beautiful young girl, although ill, is not only endowed with an incredible sense of wit and humour, but is also full of strength and resilience. Beautifully illustrated. — Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal pour 2022

A deeply moving depiction of how great strength can be drawn from what may seem a weakness. Bubble Wrap is a universal story that will resonate with readers for its portrayal of difference and exclusion.

Hortense’s parents have always been overprotective: if they could,they would pack her in bubble wrap like a precious ornament. It makes sense, though. Hortense is a hemophiliac, and the slightest injury could be life threatening. And yet, she won’t let her disease get in the way of living life to the fullest. Bursting with imagination, Hortense — an avid martial arts fan — vows that she will have the upper hand over her body.

A lesson in resilience whose manga-inspired illustrations, done in alcohol-based marker, exploit the concept of “bleeding”. Turnover each page to find a different version of the sketch from the previous page, as if the art has somehow unexpectedly bled through the paper. Sometimes revealing more than the controlled image dared to show. A sensitive, original, colorful and surprising graphic novel.