Sometimes You Barf

K-Gr 3—A straight-talking young girl candidly discusses the fear and embarrassment of throwing up at school. When the flu bug strikes, she starts "to feel queasy," and all efforts to resist being sick prove futile. The aftermath include a janitor cleaning up the classroom and a respite in the nurse's office. Following a few days of rest and recuperation at home, the child returns to school, and the text reads, "No one will be mad at you for barfing….You have a great day, even though…you have to retake the math test you barfed on." Carlson's cartoon illustrations have just the right dose of gross detail. Endpapers reiterate the message that "Everyone barfs once in a while" and showcase dozens of green-faced animals, people, and even a snowman. Getting sick is never fun, but this reassuring and humorous book makes the experience much more tolerable.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada