Sometimes I’m Bombaloo
Written By: Rachel Vail
Illustrated by: Yumi Heo
Recommended for ages: 3-7
Scholastic $8.99

Katie is a happy little girl who puts her toys away, remembers the magic word and is kind to her baby brother. Sometimes though she is Bombaloo. It is then that she uses her fists and stomps her feet, bares her teeth and makes fierce noises. Being Bombaloo scares Katie but a little time to herself in her bedroom lets her think about what she has done. As she throws all of the clothes out of her drawer, a pair of underpants lands on her head. Katie smiles and goes back to being her happy self. She is sorry for what she did and tells her mother so. The two understand that being Bombaloo can be frightening but nothing that hugs and kisses can’t cure.

This new picturebook in the Scholastic Bookshelf series deals with feelings by letting children see that their peers often experience the same emotions as them. Life is not always a bowl of cherries but with your parents’ love you can get through anything.

Heo’s illustrations complement the story beautifully in a folk-art style. You can just see Katie’s mood change without even reading the words of the story. An especially striking illustration is a small depiction of Katie on an entirely black backdrop. You can really imagine what she is thinking about in her room by herself with her arms wrapped around her legs.