Flabbersmashed review!

Just received this lovely review from the July 2012 Booklist, about my newest book!

Flabbermashed about You.

Vail, Rachel (Author) , Heo, Yumi (Illustrator)

Jul 2012. 32 p. Feiwel and Friends, hardcover, $16.99. (9780312613457).

Vail and Heo first introduced Katie Honors in Sometimes I’m Bomabaloo (2004) and Jibberwillies at Night

(2008), both of which deal with common childhood issues, and now they’re back to tackle another: What

happens when your best friend makes a new best friend? Hurt doesn’t even begin to describe the emotion,

nor does angry or frustrated. Flabbersmashed. That’s what Katie feels when BFF Jennifer suddenly

forgoes cooking “imaginary broccoli-blueberry soup” with her in favor of playing warriors (the game is

“killing the bad guys”) with Roy. What’s different about this depiction of friendship is that, as sometimes

happens in life, there’s no reconciliation to be had. Katie needs to find the strength to move forward and to

realize that somebody other than Jennifer might also make a pretty great friend. The writing here is

evocative—“My whole self felt like a bruise”—and Heo’s mixed-media compositions play with

perspective and size, particularly as they capture Katie’s sorrow and loneliness. Change is hard, but if

Katie can do it, maybe other kids can, too.

— Ann Kelley

Here's some art from the book, starting with the cover:

I think Yumi Heo really outdid herself with this book. If you loved Katie and took her into your hearts and homes with Sometimes I'm Bombaloo and Jibberwillies at Night  -- thank you! I love hearing from families and teachers who have found creative, inspiring ways to discuss Katie's struggles and triumphs with their own kids. I'm so excited to have a new Katie Honors book now to share with you.

Much love,

Rachel Vail