I cannot believe it is the first week in March already – and yet, here we are, with storms and floods ravaging large areas on the south-east coast of Australia and Ukraine digging deep to show incredible fortitude in the face of aggression. My heart has been heavy. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
And in amongst this turbulence, What Snail Knows slipped quietly into Australian bookshops – followed by beautiful, detailed reviews and so much love. I hadn’t expected such a response – and I am incredibly thankful for those who have taken the time to share. Here’s a little snippet from some of them. (Click the reviewer’s name to read each review in its entirety.)
💗 Kim Yeoman: I am in awe once again of Kathryn Apel’s skill in weaving together similes, metaphors, alliteration, imagery, rhyme and shape poetry with compassion and creativity to tell Lucy’s story.
💗 Lamont: Lucy is a character that you will fall in love with from the start. This story will be thoroughly enjoyed by junior to middle primary level readers.
💗 Sandy Bigna: This beautifully constructed verse novel for younger readers gently illuminates themes of loneliness, belonging, kindness, friendship and family. It will both break your heart and make you smile. Highly recommended for your 7+ reader.
💗 Barbara Braxton: A most poignant verse novel… a potent story of loneliness, friendship, acceptance, and building and connecting with community.
Mandy Foots light pencil artwork bring Snail and Lucy to life.
To coincide with release week, I was interviewed on the Australian Alphabet Soup blog, so if you’re intrigued about the answer to any of these questions, click the pic to read more.
Australian readers can also leave a comment on UQP’s Facebook or Instagram giveaway posts for your chance to win a copy of the book.
And don’t forget to leave your links below, for the Poetry Friday round-up.
I’m looking forward to catching you all on the rounds.
Kathryn Apel 
Congrats again on your new book and hooray for all the glowing reviews! Enjoyed the interview (Alphabet Soup is such a great name for a blog, isn’t it? ) :D. Thanks for hosting this week, and stay safe with all the bad weather.
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It is a delicious name for a bookish blog, Jama. And Bec is as lovely as you are!
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Many Congrats Kat on the release of “What Snail Knows, how exciting, and wonderful reviews too!!! I’m looking forward to reading the interview you did with Jama on Alphabet Soup. Hope you are doing okay with all the floods, I viewed images of so much water–stay safe.
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Oops. I tricked you up there, Michelle. The interview is on the Australian Alphabet Soup blog by fellow poet and creative, Rebecca. She is as lovely as our Jama. (Rebecca joined us for the Progressive Poem last year.)
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Glad you pointed that out Kat, I meander over, thanks!
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Congratulations, Kat! So nice to share new books with the world together with you, Laura Purdie Salas, and Leslie Bulion – we all have new book babies to celebrate! This sounds wonderful, too – I love the classic feel of the cover. Thanks for hosting!
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So lovely to be amongst friends on release week, Matt! Congratulations. (And I see on your blog, that we share a turtle reference in our books, too.)
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Kat, I’m so sorry about the storms and flooding. May you stay safe! Congratulations on the new book. It looks lovely and the reviews are wonderful. I look forward to reading the interview. I, too, thought it was Jama, but I stand corrected, lol. Thanks for hosting!
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Thank-you, Karen. Our house is high and dry for flooding, which is always reassuring. And whilst some extreme weather has extended near to us, the flooding has not. But so many people have been affected. And many, not for the first time. It must be so hard…
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So many congratulations, Kat! This looks absolutely delightful. There is something so mysterious and magical about snails…perhaps it is their slowness? Your May release looks fabulous too! What joy in your words. I love what you choose to celebrate and bring forth for children (and the rest of us!) Take good care, and thank you for hosting. xo
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I have long been fascinated by snails, Amy. Have learnt so much in this past year, keeping them as pets. It’s been a delight to share that wonder with so many local families, too! I am so glad you found joy in my words. Our world needs more joy.💕
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When your latest publication receives such positive reviews, it lifts the spirits, Kat. No doubt a balm with all the heartache of the wider world presently – both at home and in Ukraine. Well done you on the interview as well. Finally, thanks for hosting.
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A balm is exactly what these reviews have been, Alan. I am so grateful for the time and detail that people put into their reviews. (And their gorgeous photo styling, too.)
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Kat, congratulations on great reviews of, What a Snail Knows. Congratulations, on the great interview, also. Your book sounds wonderful and seems like many kids will be able to relate to the MC, congratulations on all your forthcoming books, also. 🙂
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Thank-you, Gail. I am feeling incredibly blessed by these beautiful heartfelt reviews.
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Many heartfelt congrats, Kat! Yay for a beautiful book quietly (but with deserved praise!) slipping into the world, especially during a time of strife. Thank you for hosting. 🙂
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Thanks, Bridget. 🐌
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Thanks for hosting us this week Kat, and congratulations on Snail’s debut and warm reception into the literary world.
My poetry Friday post today can be found here: https://unexpectedintersections.blogspot.com/2022/03/poetry-friday-present-continuous.html
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Thanks, Elizabeth. 🌸
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I just love that interview of you by Alphabet Soup. And, I’m so happy to see ‘What Snail Knows’ slip into shops. Goodness knows we need a little more kindness in our torn-up world. Your comment about not recommending “not planning” made me smile. Sometimes, it’s that unusual path that leads to such goodness. Enjoy your warm days…we are going to want them back soon! xo
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Our warm days are currently sweltering hot, Linda. You don’t want that! And you know how pivotal you are to this book.💗
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Congratulations on the publication of your book! How wonderful! I can’t wait to read it!
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Thanks, Marcie. It’s been a journey. 🌺
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So much storm and strife in the world, and in the midst of it all, great beauty and creativity. Let’s focus on the beauty and creativity for a bit — your book (with Mandy’s illustrations) is helping us to do just that! Hearty congratulations and thanks for hosting us!
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I’m with you, Mary Lee. Grasping tight to creativity and beauty. Thankyou for sharing the joy.
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Kat, I loved the interview! Say less, best. YES! And VERY exciting that you have another book simmering that may take you out of your comfort zone. Wonderful! Thanks for rounding us up, too. xo
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Kat, your new book looks so adorable. I’m so excited for you. Can’t wait to get a copy. Thanks for hosting.
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Congratulations, Kat! I love your advice in the interview to write one poem and then the next and just keep going. Also, in the middle of a story the unanswered plot questions can seem overwhelming but you again have to keep going. I look forward to reading WHAT A SNAIL KNOWS.
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Kat, Congratulations on the book launch and the wonderful reviews you’ve received on it. I admire your ability and accomplishments! The book to be launched in May also looks fabulous – haven’t we all been “Miss Understood?” I think it is a very relatable topic. I cannot wait to read them both! Thanks for hosting!
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Kat, congratulations on the book release. I like the way you wrote the introduction–in the midst of the storms and Ukraine, your book “slipped quietly into Australian bookshops.” Yes, indeed: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him…” Thanks for hosting today. Here is my link, a golden shovel using a quote I heard today:
https://mrsdkrebs.edublogs.org/2022/03/04/poetry-friday-cardiologists-first-pitch/
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Congratulations on your book. I loved reading the reviews and popped over to read your interview, too. Wonderful! It was such fun to get the peek behind the scenes! Thanks so much for hosting this week.
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What lovely reviews, Kat–congratulations! Thank goodness for the power of art to comfort and ground us during hard times.
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Kat, this has been a very busy day after a couple of way less sleep than normal so I apologize for getting here so late.\I am delighted that your book is published and is receiving such rave reviews. Thank you for hosting today.
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I would love to visit everyone’s blogs, but not all of the wordpress comments link to the poet’s blogs. Would it be possible to post a list of them to make it easier for us to visit and read each other’s work?
Thanks
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Congratulations on your new book, Kat! What Snail Knows looks utterly charming. I can’t wait to read it! Thank you for hosting us this week, a week when we are in desperate need of poetry.
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