Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I've seen some of the other reviews and how this book is too negative. I liked it! Things don't always so as planned, but this book offers a refreshing and funny way to introduce that concept to your child. The pictures are great and the message is clear that despite everything being topsy-turvy, it'll be allright and we'll make it through. I recommend this book. Another book I like and read to my son is "Ladybug Baby Bug", by Janice and Mark Perkins, which is all good. For those that thought this book was too negative, try it for it's positive family message and colorful illustrations.

I thought, after reading the description and some of the reviews, that at least there would be something positive to counteract Alexander's bad experiences throughout the day. The only trace of anything positive is at the very end of the book when it mentions that even in Australia some days are bad too.

This child has everything going wrong for him, from the time he got up in the morning...gum in hair, tripped on his skateboard, didn't get a toy in his breakfast cereal when his brothers did. He thinks he'll move to Australia.

On the way to school he doesn't get a window seat. At school the teacher liked someone else's picture of a sailboat over Alexander's invisible castle (he didn't draw anything). He left out the number 16 at counting time. He "could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

And on it goes. So far, his complaints are fairly innoculous. This kind of stuff can happen to any kid, but his behavior begins escalating into bad behavior. "I hope you sit on a tack, I said to Paul. I hope the next time you get a double-decker strawberry ice-cream cone the ice cream part falls off the cone part and lands in Australia."

More everyday "bad" stuff happens to him--he didn't get dessert in his lunch, a trip to the dentist reveals a cavity. Then at the car his brother made him fall and his other brother calls him a crybaby--so he punches him.

He makes a mess at his father's office. He hates lima beans (served at dinner). He hates kissing (saw it on TV). Bath was too hot. Soap in his eyes. Hates his pajamas. Goes to bed thinking of his terrible day, and his mom assures him some days are like that, even in Australia.

The whole thing is so negative. He's a grouch. Why should I read this to my child? (too late, I already did, but never again)

Already from the title you can tell this is a very negative book. I agree that everyone has bad days sometimes, but do you really have to look at such a negative book to make them better? I find it depressing and on a bad day it actually would make me feel worse.

My children just loved this story and who doesn't think they want to run away at one time or another? It is a day that each of us have and even the little one next to you understands that. The pen and ink illustrations are fantastic. I used to buy them by the dozen and stack them in the hall closet because it always seemed one of the kids friends was having a birthday. It saved me loads of time from running around for gifts all the time and all I had to do was open the closet (they take up such little space) and wrap!

Ann Clarke, author of People Are So Different! based on tolerance and understanding.

My daughter loves this book as a bedtime story. She is so enthralled with how bad Alexander thinks he has it. I love the book and my little bookworm loves it too!