Tic-errific Me Review: Living with Tourette Syndrome Through a Child's Eyes

"Each person with Tourette syndrome is unique. We all have our own tics, struggles, hopes, and dreams." 

Tic-errific Me by Alicia Meyers is a warm and thoughtful picture book that helps young readers understand what it’s like to live with Tourette Syndrome in a way that feels both informative and incredibly kind. 

The story follows a young girl who explains her tics directly to the reader. Her verbal and motor tics sometimes appear unexpectedly during everyday activities, and she never quite knows which ones might show up. Through her own voice, she shares what living with tics feels like, how others might see them, and how she first learned about her Tourette’s. 

What makes this book especially lovely is how gently the information is presented. The narrator explains that some things, like playing or relaxing, can help her tic less, while stress or excitement might make the tics appear more often. She also talks about the support she receives from her parents, doctors, and therapist when she needs help calming her body. Throughout it all, she reminds readers that her tics are only one small part of who she is and that she’s still a terrific kid. 

The storytelling strikes a really nice balance between sweetness and education. Young readers get a clear explanation of how Tourette’s works, including the idea that tics are involuntary, kind of like a sneeze that you can’t stop. It’s a simple comparison that makes the concept easy for children to understand while also encouraging empathy. 

The illustrations are another highlight. They’re bright, expressive, and full of personality. The illustrator, Cait Brennan, does a wonderful job visually representing the girl’s experiences in a way that feels both respectful and engaging. The artwork helps readers truly see what her daily life looks like. 

Overall, Tic-errific Me is a charming and informative picture book that celebrates differences and encourages kindness. It’s the kind of story that can help children with Tourette’s feel seen and understood, while also helping other kids learn that everyone’s bodies work a little differently and that’s perfectly okay. 

This would make a fantastic addition to classroom libraries, school collections, or family bookshelves, especially for readers looking for stories that promote understanding, self-acceptance, and compassion. 

Thank you to Free Spirit Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review the book.