The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

Bibliography

Trivizas, Eugene. 1993. THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG. Ill. by Helen Oxenbury. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 068981528X

Plot Summary

In this fractured fairy tale version of The Three Little Pigs, the roles of the wolf and pigs are reversed.  In the beginning of this tale, the three little wolves are living with their mother, who decides that the time has come for her children to leave so they can build a house of their own.  Although she warns them to watch out for the Big Bad Pig, the little wolves are not on their own for very long before they realize that he is determined to catch them.  On three separate occasions, the three little wolves build a house, each time using stronger materials than the time before.  After watching the Big Bad Pig destroy their houses made of bricks, concrete, and reinforced steel, the three little wolves decide to try a different approach to building - only this time, the only materials they use are flowers.  Despite the fact that this new house was exceptionally delicate, the three little wolves decided to take their chances.  When the Big Bad Pig finally arrives, his huffing and puffing force him to breathe in the lovely scent of all of the flowers, and ultimately leads him to a change of heart.  The Big Bad Pig no longer wants to be bad when surrounded by all of those beautiful flowers, so he and the three little wolves decide that they can live happily ever after from that moment on.

Critical Analysis

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig is a wonderfully enchanting version of the traditional fairy tale.  Eugene Trivizas has written an entertaining story while simultaneously retaining the charm of the original.  Although the main characters have reversed roles, most of the original dialogue during their encounters has remained the same.  The plot of this fractured fairy tale moves quickly, never taking a moment to slow the flow of action within the story.  The surprising twist in the end is fulfilling when the reader learns that the Big Bad Pig has finally discovered the simple pleasures of friendship.  As is typical of traditional tales, the main characters symbolically represent two very different ideals - kindness and cruelty.  The rhythmic pattern of the language practically begs for this story to be read aloud to others.  Helen Oxenbury's charming watercolor illustrations complement the story perfectly, for they are full of delightful and humorous details that will engage readers of all ages.

Awards

• Grand Canyon Reader Award for Picture Book
• Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Awards for Grades K-3
• A Booklist Editors' Choice
• A School Library Journal Best Book
• A Parents' Choice Honor Book

Review Excerpts

“A menacing pig is thwarted by three endearing young wolves in this new twist on the porcine favorite.  Three cheers for these frisky, frolicking creatures - and for the swine who learns the joy of friendship and beauty.” – School Library Journal

“A talented team ingeniously up-ends the classic tale of the three little pigs, and the laugh-out-loud results begin with the opening illustration...among the wittiest fractured fairytales around.” – Publishers Weekly

Connections

Reading this version of the well-known folktale provides a wonderful opportunity for children to act out the story by participating in a Reader's Theatre.  You'll find a Reader's Theatre script that has already been created for The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig here.


This version of The Three Little Pigs could be included during a genre study of folktales.  By reading many different versions of the same folktale, children will have the opportunity to practice comparing/contrasting as they determine what the versions have in common, as well as what differences they may have.  The following titles include additional versions of the original folktale that could be incorporated into this unit of study.

• The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell
• The Three Little Pigs and the Fox by William H. Hooks & S.D. Schindler
• The Three Cajun Pigs by Mike Artell and Jim Harris
• Alaska's Three Pigs by Arlene Laverde and Mindy Dwyer

Swamp Angel

Bibliography

Isaacs, Anne. 1994. SWAMP ANGEL. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 0525452710

Plot Summary

In the beginning of this original tall tale, we are introduced to Angelica Longrider, an infant who would later grow up to become "the greatest woodswoman in Tennessee."  Unlike other young children her age, Angelica possessed extraordinary abilities, including building log cabins and extinguishing fires.  At the age of twelve, Angelica appeared suddenly through the mist in the middle of a swamp to lift several covered wagons out of the mud.  The pioneers were stunned by the vision in front of them, and could scarcely believe their eyes.  Convinced that she must have been an angel sent to save them, Angelica was nicknamed Swamp Angel from that moment on by the pioneers along the wagon trails.  Swamp Angel is not the only larger than life character in this tall tale, for she shares the spotlight with a massive black bear known as Thundering Tarnation.  This enormous beast of an animal contains an insatiable craving for the Tennessee settlers' food, and no matter how hard they try, none of the frontiersmen are able to catch him.  Soon a competition arises to discover who can be the first to successfully kill Thundering Tarnation so that the wilderness can once again be left in peace.  Many men tried to conquer Tarnation, but the bear's substantial presence was far too powerful to overcome.  When Swamp Angel finally comes face to face with Tarnation, the ensuing struggle lasts three days and three nights.  The incidents between these two characters are increasingly astonishing as they each come up with creative ways to prevent the other from getting the upper hand.  After growing so tired from all the fighting, Swamp Angel and Tarnation fall asleep.  Even in her sleep, Swamp Angel manages to save the day by shaking a tree loose with her snores, which lands on top of the huge creature and kills him in his sleep.  In the end, the entire state of Tennessee celebrates Swamp Angel's mighty victory by feasting on the animal that had taken so much away from them.

Critical Analysis

Swamp Angel is an impressive heroine in this extraordinary tale.  Written by Anne Isaacs in the predictable exaggerated style found within all tall tale narratives, the story of Swamp Angel's triumph over a fearsome bear known as Thundering Tarnation is one that children everywhere will want to listen to over and over again.  The quaint language of the narrative offers the reader a glimpse into the cultural aspects of life as a settler in the early American frontier, and the rich vocabulary creates an exciting story for young readers that sounds even more wonderful when read aloud.  The characters are far from complicated, symbolizing good (Swamp Angel) versus evil (Thundering Tarnation).  The struggle between good and evil is unmistakable in this tall tale, and readers will feel satisfied when they find that good has once again triumphed over evil in the end.  Award-winning illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky brings these amazing characters to life through his attention to detail and the authentic scenery he creates for the vast Tennessee wilderness.  From the meticulous detail in each character's facial expressions to the simple touch of framing each illustration in wood, Zelinsky creates a picturesque setting for this larger than life tale.

Awards

• 1995 Caldecott Honor Book
• 1995 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
• 1994 ALA Notable Book
• New York Public Library, 100 Books Every Child Should Read
• School Library Journal Best Books of 1994
• New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 1994
• Booklist Children's Editors Choices 1994
• Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 1994
• Time Magazine's 8 Best Children's Books, 1994
• Parenting Magazine Reading-Magic Award, 10 Best Books of 1994

Review Excerpts

“Move over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse a wide swath of readers...visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember.” – Horn Book (starred review)

“It is impossible to convey the sheer pleasure, the exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaac's wonderful story.  Matching the superb text stride for stride are Zelinsky's altered-state, American primitive paintings - gems that provide new pleasures, reading after reading.” – Kirkus (starred review)

Connections

Incorporate Swamp Angel into a Tall Tale unit of study, in which students compare and contrast the similarities and differences they discover among a variety of tall tales.  Since this particular tall tale portrays a female character with extraordinary abilities, the teacher may choose to study other stories that contain larger than life women, including the following titles:

• Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart by Marybeth Lorbiecki
• Paula Bunyan by Phyllis Root
• Her Stories by Virginia Hamilton
• Dona Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart by Pat Mora

Throughout this tale, the origin of many of the natural phenomenon found within the United States are described.  Swamp Angel and Thundering Tarnation stir up so much dust while wrestling across the hills of Tennessee that those hills are still called the Great Smoky Mountains to this day.  After moving Thundering Tarnation's pelt to Montana and spreading the bear rug on the ground in front of her cabin, Swamp Angel created the Shortgrass Prairie.  She was also responsible for creating a constellation of stars in the exact spot where Tarnation crashed into a pile of stars after Swamp Angel threw him up in the sky.  Using these examples from the story, have children create their own tall tale to explain how a natural landform found within the United States came to be.

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A. (reteller) 1988. ANANSI AND THE MOSS-COVERED ROCK. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823407985

Plot Summary

Anansi is a clever but lazy spider who discovers a magical moss-covered rock in the forest one day.  After exclaiming his disbelief at the sight of something so strange in the middle of the forest, Anansi abruptly faints and wakes up an hour later.  Although puzzled and curious at first, Anansi soon realizes that he can use the special powers of this mysterious rock to help him trick some of the other animals in the forest.  When Anansi notices the large pile of yams on Lion's porch, he invites Lion to walk with him in the forest to cool off on such a terribly hot day.  Inevitably, Anansi leads Lion to the moss-covered rock and tricks him into repeating the magical words.  Once Lion falls asleep, Anansi runs back to his house and collects all of Lion's delicious yams to keep for himself.  Delighted with how well his plan had worked, Anansi could hardly wait to play his trick again.  One by one, the animals of the forest continue to be deceived by Anansi - with the exception of Little Bush Deer, a shy deer who realizes what is happening and decides to teach Anansi an important lesson.  When Little Bush Deer and Anansi walk together in the forest, Anansi's plan backfires when he accidentally yells the magical words and causes himself to fall asleep.  While he is sleeping, Little Bush Deer helps all of the other animals retrieve their stolen food.  One would think that Anansi learned a valuable lesson, but the story ends with the claim that this beloved folklore character is "still playing tricks to this very day."

Critical Analysis

Although the story of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock is originally a West African tale, it is brought to new life through the rhythmic language and vivid illustrations of animals and the forest they call their home.  Anansi is renowned for his cunning and deceptive personality, and he certainly does not disappoint in this retelling of the classic trickster tale.  Eric A. Kimmel's writing follows a natural sequence, and the suspense of Anansi's mischievous ways continues to build until Little Bush Deer cleverly outwits him in the end.  The magical powers of the moss-covered rock are characteristic of the traditional literature genre, and they will have young children everywhere anticipating which character will succumb to its powers next.  The delightful illustrations from Janet Stevens capture the individuality of each of the animals, as well as the disappointment they feel once they realize they have been tricked.  The beautiful storytelling quality of the writing makes this tale one that children will want to hear read aloud again and again.

Awards

• Association of Booksellers for Children Ten Best Books of the Year, 1989

Review Excerpts

“[This book] combines Stevens' knack for drawing funny animals with Kimmel's sense of rhythmic storytelling...Stevens has cleverly avoided cartooning the spider's face and opted instead for emphasizing his very expressive set of eight black legs.  The stylized exaggeration of words and pictures is just wry enough to avoid cuteness and maintain the mischief of a true trickster tale.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Although no specific source is given, Kimmel has retold a West African tale (said to be known in Caribbean culture).  The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable conclusion.  Stevens' complementary, colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement to the text...this new picture book Anansi tale will be welcomed by all trickster fans." – School Library Journal

Connections

After reading this story aloud, children may want to learn more about African culture since Anansi stories originate from West Africa.  They can study the continent of Africa on a globe or map and identify which countries are located in West Africa.  They can then take this information and research interesting facts about these countries, including cultural features such as traditions, dress, music, etc.  Children can extend this activity even further by taking one of the West African countries and comparing it to the United States.  How are the foods, animals, natural resources, and population found within these two countries alike?  How are they different?


After reading a variety of trickster tales that contain many different kinds of characters, have children make a venn diagram and compare the personality traits of the main characters (for example, compare Anansi from Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock to Zomo in Zomo the Rabbit by Gerald McDermott).  Children can also write their own trickster tales by creating an original character who is similar to Anansi.  These tales can be taken throughout the entire writing process and published for others to enjoy.  Another idea would be to have children rewrite the story from Little Bush Deer's point of view and notice how the folktale changes.


This trickster tale would make a perfect Reader's Theatre.  Assign children specific characters from the story, including Anansi, Little Bush Deer, Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, and Zebra.  The rest of the class can participate as narrators, and once you've found a rock and decorated it to look as though it's covered in moss, you're ready to perform!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Bibliography

Stead, Philip C.  2010.  A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE.  Ill. by Erin E. Stead.  New York, NY:  Roaring Brook Press.  ISBN 9781596434028

Plot Summary

This precious story captures the sweet friendship between a zookeeper named Amos McGee and the animals he visits each day at the zoo.  Whether he's running races with the tortoise or reading stories to the owl at sunset, Amos McGee is never too busy to spend some quality time with his friends.  Although he is a creature of habit who follows the same schedule each day of the week, one day poor Amos wakes up with the unfortunate discovery that he is sick "with the sniffles, and the sneezes, and the chills."  After deciding that he won't be able to make it to work that day, the author leads us back to the zoo where we find the animals patiently waiting and wondering where their friend Amos might be.  Through the illustrator's detailed yet subtle pictures, the reader is taken on a journey along with his animal friends as they walk right out of the zoo entrance and hop on to the same bus that Amos rides every day.  Despite the fact that the reader has already predicted where the animals are headed, Amos is pleasantly surprised later that day when some of his good friends show up at his house to keep him company.  The story ends with an endearing illustration of Amos and all of his friends sleeping peacefully after spending an enjoyable day together.  After all, having good friends is a truly wonderful thing.

Critical Analysis

It's hard to imagine that this is the first book that Erin Stead has illustrated.  Every page is filled with charming details that add a touching sense of realism to this fictional story.  From the soft bunny slippers that Amos McGee wears on the very first page, to the mysterious red balloon floating outside the window at the end, this picture book invites children everywhere to use their shrewd observation skills while studying each page.  It goes without saying that children will ask questions about the significance of the tiny mouse, the friendly sparrow, and the red balloon that they will surely notice in nearly every picture.  The precise pencil sketches and hints of color that we find throughout this award-winning picture book beautifully portray the individual personality of each character and the depth of the friendship that exists between Amos and his animal friends.  We can see for ourselves the comfort the shy penguin feels with Amos sitting next to him, and we can feel the sadness the elephant experiences when he suddenly realizes that he has no one to play chess with.  The story written by Philip Stead is simple, yet reveals a timeless message of the value and satisfaction one receives in being a good friend to others.  The fact that Amos McGee chooses to share his friendship with animals at the zoo is certainly appealing to young children.  Doesn't every young child wish to become friends with the penguins or the elephants at the zoo?  A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a truly delightful story that will touch the hearts of readers, both young and old.

Awards

• 2011 Caldecott Medal Winner
• 2011 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book
• Kirkus Reviews 2010 Best Children’s Books
• Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Picture Books of 2010
• The New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book Award of 2010

Review Excerpts

"The story is tender without being saccharine.  The muted color palette in Erin Stead's woodblock print and pencil illustrations adds warmth and restraint, just right for the tenor of the story.  Stead's rendering of the animals is magnificent.  Children will ask the reader to pause so that they can gaze a little longer at the pages of this beautiful, soulful book.  This is a book to love." - YC: Young Children Journal

"The earth-toned pencil illustrations tell the story exquisitely." Language Arts Journal

"Newcomer Erin Stead's elegant woodblock prints, breathtaking in their delicacy, contribute to the story's tranquility and draw subtle elements to viewers' attention." - Publisher's Weekly

"Erin E. Stead's beautifully wrought woodblock prints and pencil work create almost painfully expressive characters...this gentle, ultimately warm story acknowledges the care and reciprocity behind all good friendships." - Kirkus Reviews

"Erin Stead's attentively detailed pencil and woodblock illustrations reveal character and enhance the cozy mood of Philip Stead's gentle text." - Horn Book Magazine

"Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters." - School Library Journal

Connections

The central theme of friendship resonates throughout this story.  After reading A Sick Day for Amos McGee to young children, you can lead a discussion about the various qualities that Amos and each of his animal friends possess that make them caring friends to one another.  There are several other examples of children's books that portray strong friendships despite the differences the main characters may have, including the following titles:

• Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes
• George and Martha by James Marshall
• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
• Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
• Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie
• Yo! Yes? by Christopher Raschka

Another follow-up activity to reading this story aloud would be to have children write and illustrate their own story about a special friendship (either real or imaginary).  Once these stories are written, they can even be combined into a class book and the children can work together to come up with the perfect title for their special book about friendship.

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2006. EDWINA, THE DINOSAUR WHO DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS EXTINCT. Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786837489

Plot Summary

From the very first page of this charming picture book written by award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems, we are introduced to Edwina, a warm and friendly dinosaur who has captivated the hearts of everyone in town.  It seems as though there is nothing she cannot do.  Not only is she useful for helping reach high places, she also enjoys playing with kids, assisting “little old ladies” across the street, and baking delicious chocolate-chip cookies for everyone in town!  Edwina is adored by everyone – everyone, that is, except for a little boy named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie.  Reginald is a young man who knows “just about everything about just about everything,” and he’s not afraid to share his knowledge with those around him.  Being somewhat of an expert on dinosaurs, Reginald decides that it is his duty to inform the rest of his community about the fact that dinosaurs are extinct.  However, nothing Reginald does seems to change anyone’s opinion about Edwina and he begins to feel increasingly frustrated because no one will listen to anything he has to say.  When Edwina notices how upset Reginald is, she offers to listen to him.  Little does she know that he is going to tell her the truth about dinosaurs.  Despite feeling shocked when she first hears the news, Edwina decides that she is not troubled in the least by this surprising information.  Once Reginald has finally shared what had been bothering him for so long, suddenly he realizes the fact that Edwina is a dinosaur is no longer as important to him as it had once been.

Critical Analysis

After taking a quick glance at the clever title of this picture book, I immediately knew that this story was sure to be just as entertaining as the many other stories that Mo Willems has become known for in the world of children's literature.  The tale of Edwina, a dinosaur who enjoys living in a town full of people who adore her despite the obvious fact that she is quite different from everyone else, is a fun and fanciful story that is sure to make readers chuckle with amusement at the townspeople's apparent lack of concern.  The fact that Edwina is a very large, green dinosaur does not seem to worry anyone in the least - after all, she has clearly proven time and again that she is a caring, thoughtful citizen in her community.  Even the smallest details of Edwina's appearance invite the reader to welcome her just as the townspeople do - her delicately painted nails, her sweet pearl necklace, and her pleasant smile make us feel as though she is an old friend we've known for years.  


However, in spite of the engaging story of a gentle dinosaur discovering the truth about herself, the animated cartoon style found in every illustration are this book's true rewards.  The strategic use of lines and soft yet distinct colors help to express each character's emotion at various points throughout the story.  Whether it's the joy that Edwina brings into the lives of those around her through her famous chocolate-chip cookies, or the gradual irritation that finally explodes into Reginald's emotional outburst after unsuccessfully trying to make his voice heard, Mo Willems has perfected the art of designing facial expressions that flawlessly portray what each character is truly feeling.  The colorful, full page illustrations naturally combine with the smaller black and white pictures to create a children's book that never becomes old.  One can read this story again and again, each time discovering a new detail in the meticulous illustrations they may not have noticed the time before.  Children will also delight in finding a few familiar faces hidden throughout the illustrations, as Mo Willems decides to have Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny stop by for a visit in Edwina's happy community.

Awards

• Child Magazine Best Children’s Book Award 2006
• National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Medal Award Winner
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Book Platinum Award Winner
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year 2007
• Book Sense 76 Pick

Review Excerpts

“Buoyant pastel cartoons show how Edwina’s big-hearted ways (she helps old ladies cross the street and listens to the boy when no one else will) made a believer out of Reginald.” – Child Magazine

“Willems’s expressive cartoon style makes the most of his fabled ability with line.  Readers will enjoy Edwina in her straw hat, handbag, delicately painted claws, beribboned hat and simple strand of pearls, and especially her utter shock when she realizes she is extinct.” – School Library Journal

“A muted palette and two-dimensional backgrounds firmly situate Willems’s cartoons in an imaginary world of childhood, Edwina herself a masterful creation complete with hat, pearls and handbag, Reginald and the other humans Feiffer-esque in the expressiveness of their body language…a tribute to the child’s rock-solid faith in how the world should be, not how it really is.” – Kirkus Reviews

“These documentary-style pages allow Reginald’s frenetic, moody expressivism to take center stage even while they emphasize the pale futility of his endeavors.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Willems’s funny text and cartoon illustrations convey Reginald’s mounting frustration with everyone’s refusal to accept his argument as well as just how much Edwina means to the townspeople, who are untroubled by logical inconsistencies.  Willems also gives readers permission to accept this inconsistency, because even though of course dinosaurs are extinct, it really doesn’t matter in the book’s silly-fun fictional world.” – The Horn Book

Connections

After reading this picture book aloud, children may want to research the history of dinosaurs to see if they can discover exactly when dinosaurs became extinct.  This research could ultimately turn into a complete unit of study about dinosaurs.

Gather several other books that are written and illustrated by Mo Willems and have children compare/contrast the characters of Edwina and Reginald with other important characters he has created.  Are his characters similar in the way they express emotion?  Mo Willems is known for creating characters with strong personalities.  How do his illustrations convey these distinctive personalities?  Children can also investigate the various ways in which Willems conveys humor throughout his stories.  Does he accomplish this only through his illustrations, or through the dialogue and pacing as well?

During this story, Reginald is determined to prove a point.  In order to do this, he tries a variety of different things, including passing out flyers and protesting in the middle of the town.  Using these ideas as a starting point, discuss the idea of "freedom of speech" and what this freedom means in our country.  Once this concept has been discussed in more detail, children can brainstorm other ideas that Reginald could have used to share what he wanted to say (a few examples could include writing an article for the local newspaper or speaking at town meetings, depending on the ages of the kids).

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

Bibliography

Viorst, Judith. 1972. ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Ill. by Ray Cruz. New York: Aladdin Books. ISBN 0689711735

Plot Summary
Alexander is the star of this classic picture book by Judith Viorst, and the reader joins him as he describes an especially difficult day in his young life.  On this particular day, absolutely nothing seems to go Alexander's way.  From the moment he wakes up with gum in his hair at the beginning to his realization that the cat would rather sleep with his brother than with him at the end, poor Alexander cannot seem to catch a break.  The day that started off in such an unpleasant way continues to go downhill, and when Alexander tries to communicate his frustration to others, he is confronted with indifference and a complete lack of sympathy.  Only near the end of his day does Alexander mention that his mom explained that "some days are like that."  Although this story is hopelessly frustrating for Alexander, the reader is given the opportunity to watch a young boy learn a valuable lesson - there are many times in our lives when things simply do not go our way, and despite what we may think, everything will be okay in the end.

Critical Analysis
A wonderfully amusing story about the endless problems that a little boy encounters on a particularly bad day, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a book that everyone can relate to.  Both children and adults have lived through the experience of having awful days where everything that happens to them seems to be getting worse and worse.  When reading this story, the connection becomes so personal that the readers almost feel as though they can pinpoint the exact day that they experienced the feeling of overwhelming frustration Alexander describes in this story.  The story's first person point of view is exceedingly effective in helping the reader feel the same emotions that Alexander himself is experiencing.  The timeless quality of Judith Viorst's story is surely the reason that this children's book has won over the hearts of readers for nearly 40 years.

In addition to the subtle humor found throughout this incredibly appealing story, the meticulous illustrations by Ray Cruz are instrumental in expressing just how horrible this day really is for Alexander.  The precise black and white pencil sketches are realistic renderings of people we know in our own lives - our mom, dad, siblings, and friends.  The illustrations beautifully express Alexander's aggravation and complete dissatisfaction with his horrible day, even down to the smallest details of his various pouts and frowns.  The ultimate message that children will discover from Alexander's story is that although bad days and bad moods are a part of everyone's life, they teach us to look forward to better days in our future.

Awards

• ALA Notable Children's Book
• George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit
• Georgia Children's Book Award

Review Excerpts

“This book scores high on the reality meter; just about any school-age child has had at least one terrible, horrible day.  As a bedtime read for any kid who has just had one of those days, this one's a winner - it's almost guaranteed to chase away the blues.” – Common Sense Review

“Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny.  Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations.” – Amazon.com Editorial Review

Connections

After reading aloud this picture book, children can write stories describing what their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day would be like.  Just like Alexander's, their story can begin when they get up in the morning and continue until bedtime.  Encourage children to come up with a creative title for their story using different adjectives (for example, Jennifer and the Stressful, Awful, Dreadful, Very Rotten Day).  For something a little different, children could also rewrite the story by changing everything bad that happened to Alexander into something good.  For example, before going to sleep Alexander remembered to take the gum out of his mouth and cleaned his bedroom, so when he woke up he was happy.


Rather than creating their own stories, children can simply reflect about a time when they had a horrible day at school and write about it in their personal journals.  They can answer questions such as, What happened?  Did the day get better?  How did it change?  Who helped make it better?  In the story, Alexander decided that moving to Australia would solve all of his problems.  Have the children decide where they would move, and write about why they would choose that place and how moving to that place would solve all of their problems.  Once they are finished, all of the places they chose can be shared and pointed out on a world map.


As a class, brainstorm a list of things that might turn a good day into a bad one.  Next, the children can conduct a survey and vote on which one of their ideas they agree with the most.  Once they have finished, they can turn the survey results into a graph.


The way Alexander deals with the difficult situations he finds himself in throughout this story make this children's book suitable for philosophical discussions.  Issues including moods and emotions, envy, fight and flight responses, and making mistakes are all addressed within this story.  The following website includes more detailed information about these issues, along with a set of discussion questions that can be used after reading this book with children.

Discussion Questions