How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up

Being a grown-up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. What if we got back in touch with the joy, freedom, silliness, and creativity of being a kid?

When we were children, we were passionate, imaginative, and curious, and we loved without judgment. Now we are adults . . . neurotic, anxious, socially inept, and oh so very lonely. Why did we rush to become grown-ups? Why must we trade dream jobs for high-paying ones, tree climbing for social climbing, and juice boxes for juice cleanses? Is it possible to get back what we lost?

Julian Shapiro-Barnum, comedian, former child, and creator/host of the viral, beloved show Recess Therapy, has spent the past five years interviewing thousands of children. He’s talked to them about everything from love, anger, and death to Spider-Man and farts. And he’s gathered a wealth of information leading him to believe that there’s a lot we can learn from kids on how to live a better life.

With tender humor and real wisdom, Julian gets to the heart of life’s biggest issues, seen through the eyes of the littlest among us:

• How to fully feel your feelings (and then let them go)
• Why reclaiming your imagination can make your life richer
• How to bring a sense of wonder back to your work
• Why breaking the rules is sometimes the right thing to do

How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up is a guide for adults on how to get back in touch with the silliness and pure joy you may have been missing lately.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs