Picture a storyteller who doodles her way into the hearts of young readers with tales of middle school mayhem—meet Booki Vivat! This American author and illustrator burst onto the children’s literature scene with her New York Times bestselling Frazzled series, capturing the chaotic, relatable world of Abbie Wu, a neurotic middle schooler navigating life’s everyday disasters. With her signature blend of witty text and expressive illustrations, Vivat has become a beloved voice for kids grappling with the ups and downs of growing up.
Born and raised in Southern California, Vivat’s journey from doodler to literary star is as charming as her books. Her work, packed with humor and heart, resonates with readers who see themselves in Abbie’s frazzled moments, making Vivat a standout in contemporary children’s literature.
The Making of Booki Vivat
Booki Vivat grew up in sunny Southern California, where her love for doodling took root in childhood. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, she initially carved out a career in publishing, working behind the scenes in book retail and publicity. But her creative spark couldn’t be contained. What started as dramatic doodles in her personal planner—think scribbles screaming “impending doom!”—evolved into the seed for her debut novel. Vivat’s knack for channeling her own anxieties into art laid the foundation for her unique storytelling style, blending narrative with visual flair.
Booki Vivat’s Unforgettable Stories
Vivat’s Frazzled series, launched in 2016, is her crown jewel. The first book, Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom, introduces Abbie Wu, a middle schooler who feels perpetually doomed. With its mix of diary-style prose and quirky black-and-white illustrations, the book earned rave reviews for its humor and honesty, drawing comparisons to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Smile. Kirkus Reviews called it a “funny, neurotic, and delightful” debut, praising Vivat’s lively drawings.
The series continues with Ordinary Mishaps and Inevitable Catastrophes (2017), where Abbie tackles locker thieves and science project woes, and Minor Incidents and Absolute Uncertainties (2018), wrapping up her middle school saga. In 2020, Vivat released Abbie Wu’s (Not So) Epic Quarantine Diary, a webcomic-turned-book that imagines Abbie navigating the pandemic with her trademark anxiety. Beyond Frazzled, Vivat’s 2024 graphic novel Meet Me on Mercer Street explores friendship and community through a vibrant New York City lens, showcasing her evolving style.
Vivat’s work stands out for its hybrid format—part novel, part graphic novel—where doodles amplify Abbie’s emotions, from flailing limbs to exaggerated typography. Her themes of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing imperfections resonate deeply, offering kids a mirror for their own anxieties. Vivat’s playful yet poignant storytelling makes her books both laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly relatable.
Why Booki Vivat Matters
Booki Vivat’s impact on children’s literature lies in her ability to make anxiety accessible and endearing. Through Abbie Wu, she normalizes the chaos of adolescence, showing young readers that it’s okay to feel frazzled. Her diverse characters and inclusive narratives contribute to the We Need Diverse Books movement, providing representation for kids who rarely see themselves in stories. Vivat’s work has inspired countless doodlers and worriers, proving that creativity can turn personal struggles into universal tales.
Her influence extends beyond books. By sharing her creative process, from fanfiction roots to planner doodles, Vivat encourages aspiring authors to value all forms of expression. Her quarantine diary project, born during the pandemic, showed her adaptability, connecting with readers in real time through Abbie’s lens.
- Born: Southern California
- Key Works: Frazzled series (2016–2018), Meet Me on Mercer Street (2024)
- Notable Achievement: New York Times bestseller for Frazzled
- Current Home: Brooklyn, New York
Snag Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom and dive into Booki Vivat’s hilarious, heartfelt world! Whether you’re a middle schooler or just young at heart, Abbie Wu’s adventures will leave you laughing and ready to embrace your own frazzled moments.