Anxietyland by Gemma Correll

ALSO BY GEMMA CORRELL

The Worrier’s Guide to Life

The Feminist Activity Book

ILLUSTRATED BY GEMMA CORRELL

The Treasure Hunters Where to Start

The Day the Screens Went Blank

Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Pajimminy-Crimminy Unusual Adventure

Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure

Pugly on Ice

Pugly Bakes a Cake

Pugly Solves a Crime

Flailing at Life: Lessons from the Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy Doodling for Dog People

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Interior design by Kathryn A. Kenney-Peterson

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Control Number: TK

ISBN 978-1-6680-0415-9

ISBN 978-1-6680-0417-3 (ebook)

For Bella

Acknowledgments

I can’t believe I’m writing an acknowledgements page for this book, which means that I actually finished writing it! And you are reading it! Which means it actually got published and wasn’t just some kind of long-winded, complicated prank (thanks, Imposter Syndrome).

This book would not have happened without the help and guidance and general amazingness of many talented and wonderful people.

To my incredible agent, Monika Verma, for your endless patience and encouragement, and for meeting me in various cafés when I was too afraid to take the elevator up to your office.

To Lauren Spiegel, for believing in me and this book, even—especially—when I struggled to believe in myself.

To Taylor, Kimberly, Jamie, and the entire team at Gallery Books. Every one of you has helped make this book the best it can be.

To Bean and Zander, for all the much-needed cuddles, nibbles, and ankle licks. (I should probably clarify here that Bean and Zander are my dogs.)

To all of the staff at the hospital, and to the friends I made during my time there. I miss our coffee/tea breaks and secret Hamilton parties.

To Mel and Siofra, for always being there, and for all of the theme park trips, weird museum jaunts, and fancy afternoon teas. I can’t wait for our next adventure.

To Mum and Dad and my little brother. I’m so lucky to have you as my family. Sorry for ruining my bedroom carpet with all of that spilled ink and paint. And Robbie—apologies for making you do all of those Starlight Express routines.

To Anthony. There are too many things to thank you for, so I’ll just say—for everything. Especially the brownies.

About the Author

Gemma Correll is a British illustrator and cartoonist currently based in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, Anthony, and beloved dogs Zander and Bean. Gemma’s illustration clients include The Washington Post, The New York Times, and JetBlue. She has published cartoons online at The Nib and Tinyview Comics and illustrated numerous books for both children and adults. She is also the art director for the PBS Kids/Augenblick Studios animated show City Island. Gemma has collaborated with charities including Mental Health America and Water Aid, as well as various animal rescues. Her hobbies include playing the piano (badly), collecting antiques and folk art, and buying far too many books, if such a thing is even possible.

‘Equal parts hysterical, heartbreaking and hopeful. A beautifully illustrated example of the power of sharing authentic stories of mental health’

JENNY LAWSON

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Anxietyland by Gemma Correll

Published on Dec 1, 2025

penguinpressuk

Come and join us in the magical world of Anxietyland, a theme park like no other. Here, there's so much to see and do: revel in the ups and downs of the Hormonal Rollercoaster, feel the twists and turns of the Overcaffeinated Teacups, and take a scenic ride on the Train of Overthinking to Comorbid Park. There's no better place for making new friends such as our fun mascot Scaredy Cat, enjoying world-class entertainment, from the Parade of the Therapists to the Well-Meaning Advice Jamboree, and making memories that you'll never forget - even if you want to! In Anxietyland cartoonist, writer, and long-time-anxious-person, Gemma Correll takes us on a riotous journey through her struggles with anxiety, to the desperate search for relief and finally to the realization that it really is possible to feel OK again. Because sometimes all that's left to do when you've tried every possible remedy you can imagine is laugh.