Flabbersmashed About You by Rachel Vail

Illustrated by Yumi Heo.32 p., Macmillan, 2012. It can be hurtful when your best friend wants to play with someone else. Katie has this experience when her best friend, Jennifer, would rather chase imaginary bad guys with Roy at recess than make imaginary soup with her. Katie feels lonely, hurt, angry, and "completely flabbersmashed." The children have to walk inside from recess with one buddy each, and Jennifer chooses Roy. But a quiet new girl, Arabella, chooses Katie.Katie feels accepted, and finds herself hopeful that she can have fun with Arabella. It's clear that this is a very different feeling from the lonely, angry, flabbersmashed feeling. The illustrations are energetic and evocative. This story offers children empathy for an important experience in their lives, and shows them that they can feel better. Ages 4-8