Genre 1 - Picture Books
"Read one of the “classic” picture books that you have never read (be honest)"Honesty disclosure: This was the title I was least familiar with on the list. I had read this one before, but it had been so long I had forgotten the details of it entirely.
Plot Summary
Nothing goes right for Alexander from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. Alexander would really like to just run away from all his problems and go live in Australia. Unlike most books for children about having a bad day and being grumpy, this one has no happy ending. Instead it ends with a very adult lesson, "My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia."Critical Analysis
Alexander, expecting it to be a bad day because it started badly, ends up with an even worse day because he finds something wrong in everything that happens. He's looking for the bad things. While I'm not a fan of this mindset, I also know that I and others fall prey to it. Accepting that everyone has days like this is an important lesson to learn, and for that, I applaud this book.The plain black and white sketches emphasize just what a horrible day it has been for Alexander. In the version that I read, the "Special Limited Edition" with Alexader in color, I feel the color actually detracts from the story. Because this story is mostly about everything that happens around Alexander, having only him in color draws attention away from the rest of the happenings in the illustrations.
Connections
- Follow a read-aloud with other books about improving your grumpy mood.
Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Awards/Reviews
ALA Notable Children's BookGeorge G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit
Georgia Children's Book Award
Reading Rainbow book
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