The Hair Tie / The Swimmer's Clip: Two Loneliness Stories

By Jason Burns

Zoe is reluctant to reach out to other kids her age at horseback riding lessons. And Leo can't be lonely because he's online with his friends all day, right? What does it mean to be lonely when there are people all around you? Each character struggles until a mysterious cat and a cryptic clue leads them to a healthy coping mechanism.

Created in collaboration with Mayo Clinic Pediatric psychologist Dr. Abigail Matthews, the Manga Medicine series offers manga lovers a model for dealing with an increasingly common problem--loneliness. With two compelling stories in one flip book (read one story and flip the book over to read another ), the relatable stories celebrate the power of trusted techniques to cope with the challenges of life.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DQBT9VVF
• ISBN13: 9798887703282
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Mayo Clinic Press Kids
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7