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SO WHAT! by Tracey Trussell

SO WHAT!

by Tracey Trussell ; illustrated by Neil Price

Pub Date: May 7th, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-909428-19-5
Publisher: Digital Leaf

Sparkle-filled lettering on the cover and elaborately styled figures within display plenty of flash.

Every time she tries to share a bit of news with her “best friend” (contradicting the evidence), Lissy, the young narrator gets only the titular put-down in response. In response, she second-guesses herself by thinking that she should have announced something more flamboyant: instead of a new bunny, a camel with six humps; instead of a new dress, a velvet gown and tiara; instead of a touch of flu, a space alien’s weird disease. Turnabout comes at last after Lissy snottily announces that she’s going to the park with a new friend and gets to be on the brushoff’s receiving end. Lissy, flanked by sycophants who mirror her sneers, is last seen left agape while the narrator strolls off in satisfaction. The hand-lettered text is laid over painted scenes done in saturated colors and featuring strutting, fashionably accessorized preteens with oversized heads.

A bit of superficial wish fulfillment that leaves the moral high ground entirely unoccupied.

(Picture book. 6-9)