All children have the tendency to get grumpy, frumpy and otherwise bothered. They sometimes feel (as we all might) that the world is unfair, that they are moving against the current or swimming upstream in a flowing river.

It can be tough for children when they realize that the world was not made exactly to fit their every convenience. As babies and toddlers, they are catered to and cared for to the utmost level. As they get older, they have to find their groove in the rhythm of life; sometimes the record skips and this leaves them frustrated, alienated and just downright grumpy.

Enter Alexander, the unwilling protagonist of the story. We first see him waking up “on the wrong side of the bed” as my mother used to say. He is grumpy from the get-go and things only get worse as the day progresses. He goes to school in a crowded carpool. At school, he is at odds with some of his friends. All children will be sympathetic to this situation. Children, like adults, have feelings and frustrations regarding their relationships with their peers. Alexander lets kids know that it is normal & okay to have these feelings.

When Alexander’s teacher points how that he left out number 16 during counting time, he wins the sympathy of kindergarteners everywhere. Alexander says, “Who needs sixteen?” Our 4 ½ year old son says, “Nobody!” (He misses 15, 16 sometimes also).

When Alexander gets called back to go have a cavity removed at the dentist, we say “Aw! Poor Alexander! I guess he didn’t brush his teeth every morning and night like he’s supposed to.” This really makes teeth brushing time easier for us. If there is any hassle, we just say “Remember what happened to Alexander!”

When Alexander gets in trouble for arguing with his brothers (even though it wasn’t completely his fault), we understand that he isn’t a “bad boy”. He was just in the wrong place in the wrong time with the wrong attitude. Adults and children alike have been in similar situations.

The only part of the story that I dislike is the use of the word hate. During dinner at Alexander’s house, he says “I hate lima beans.” At our house, the use of the word hate is strongly discouraged, especially when used in relationship to food. Our son dislikes tomatoes, mushrooms and many other things, as children will have tendencies to do. We point out that what one person doesn’t like, someone else does. So when someone is about to eat something they like, it is extremely rude to point out that you hate that item and bring negativity around the process of eating. Pumpkin knows it is wrong to say that you hate something that someone else is eating. So when Alexander says "I hate limas, Pumpkin says "Ooh-OOO! He said hate". And when Alexander says "I hate kissing", Pumpkin just giggles uncontrollably.

The one part of the story our son doesn’t understand is why Alexander hates his railroad train pajamas. Pumpkin (4 ½) loves trains and can’t imagine why Alexander hates wearing train pajamas. I try to offer reasons like “Maybe they’re too tight.” or “Maybe they have a stain.” or something similar.

Pumpkin’s favorite part of the story is the end, where the Alexander and his two brothers are going to bed. The brothers sleep in a bunk bed, which Pumpkin wants desperately. Although he is an only child (for now), he wants a bunk bed with extreme fervor and loves to stare at the illustration of the one in this book. He also loves to point out the skateboard and various toys in Alexander's room. The black and white illustrations are simple, yet imaginative and explicit.

Another Plus: Books (such as this one) that end with the characters of the book going to bed are quite helpful for bedtime reading. It certainly makes my life easier!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is 28 pages long in its paperback edition. I do suggest going with the hardback version. You will read this book many times so it will start to wear and tear, and it would be nice to keep it for when your kids have kids.

Our copy of Alexander cost $4.50 at Amazon. The boasting on the back cover “MORE THAN 2,000,000 COPIES SOLD” is most definitely true. I remember reading this book during my own childhood; it was first published in 1972.

Another great book for grumpy children: Pete's A Pizza by William Steig. I have a review of this cute children's story at:

http://www.epinions.com/content_10757574276

Happy Reading!

Recommended: Yes