Birth of a Hippie: A Graphic Memoir

JoDee Samuelson’s Birth of a Hippie: A Graphic Memoir launches September 11. Bookmark, Charlottetown’s independent bookstore, is partnering with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery to present An Evening with JoDee Samuelson at 7 pm that evening. The free, public event will feature a moderated conversation with Deirdre Kessler and a song or two, held in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery.

 Birth of a Hippie is a heartfelt memoir that begins in the Prairies, as JoDee Samuelson, the youngest daughter of a Baptist minister, begins to search for her place in the world. Through her enchanting illustrations and witty storytelling, JoDee chronicles life on the Canadian prairies. Ultimately, JoDee’s journey takes her from Alberta to Prince Edward Island.

 In telling her story, JoDee blends humour, heart, and introspection. Birth of a Hippie recounts JoDee’s coming of age story from Prairie girl to an independent spirit, back-to-the-lander, and health-food pioneer in a small Island on the East Coast. This graphic novel explores themes of family, identity, and self-discovery, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman finding her place in an ever-changing world. It is both a personal story and a universal exploration of roots, resilience, and belonging.

Samuelson, artist and filmmaker, has lived on PEI for over 50 years. Her animated films have been shown at festivals around the world. She writes a monthly column for The Buzz, and is the author of The Cove Journal: Life on the Island’s South Shore, published by UPEI’s Island Studies Press.