Sometimes I Grumblesquinch

A sweet and touching exploration of the scariness of BIG feelings and overcoming the pressures to do everything "just right," in this companion title to bestselling picture book Sometimes I'm Bombaloo.

Katie Honors is a really nice kid. But there's one little secret that sometimes makes her feel not-so-nice deep inside: her little brother, Chuck. Katie loves her brother and works hard to be the perfect big sister but it can be hard. Chuck can sometimes be just so icky and messy. Sometimes it makes Katie secretly wish she had a trampoline or a treehouse or a giraffe instead of a brother. When all these emotions bubble up to the surface, Katie can no longer grumblesquinch them down. She explodes, but she also learns an important lesson: that there's room for ALL of her feelings, even the scary ones.

Sometimes I Grumblesquinch masterfully explores the pressure children often feel to be perfect all the time and helps them realize that it's okay to share frustrating, and at times, not-so-nice thoughts and seek comfort from adults to help them manage those feelings. This story explores key social emotional skills that kids need to navigate complicated feelings, and will live alongside bestsellers like When Sophie Gets Really Really Angry and How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad. Once again, Rachel Vail taps into universal childhood experiences that are often left unexplored, and does so with sensitivity, humor, and respect for the wide range of emotions kids face today.

Author: Rachel Vail
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: 08/16/2022
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.01lbs
Size: 10.30h x 10.20w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9781338751161
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2022
School Library Journal 07/01/2022 pg. 50

About the Author

Rachel Vail is the author of many beloved picture books and novels, including Righty and Lefty, Jibberwillies at Night, Sometimes I'm Bombaloo, the Mama Rex & T series, Lucky, and You, Maybe. Rachel loves talking with kids -- hearing their stories and reactions, discussing their hopes and their worries. She get many of her ideas from the letters she receives. Rachel lives in New York City with her husband and her two sons. Visit rachelvail.com.

Hyewon Yum is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!, which received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator award and was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit Hyewon online at hyewonyum.com.