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

 

Title: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Da

Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrator: Ray Cruz 

Age: 7-12

This story begins with a boy, Alexander, waking up with gum in his hair, he tripped over his skateboard, etc. He determines that he is going to have a bad day because bad things are already happening to him. He says that he wants to move to Australia. His bad day continues in the carpool to school and at school. His teacher criticizes him about his singing, his friends treat him like an outcast. Alexander goes to the dentist and finds out he has a cavity, the elevator door closes on his foot and he gets called a cry baby. Then his family goes to the store and they are sold out of the shoes he wants. His mom makes lima beans for dinner and his bath is too hot and he gets soap in his eyes. At the end of the story Alexander tells his mom that it has been a bad day, and his mom tells him that some days are like that... even in Australia. Alexander is a school-aged child and he has things happen to him at school. Children of these ages can relate to the bad experiences that he has.
I really enjoy the artistic elements in this story. The media used looks like cross-hatching using a pencil or pen. Everyone and everything is in black and white except for Alexander, who is in color. It highlights him because he is the main character in the story. The illustrator really captures Alexander's facial expressions and emotions throughout the story. He looks so miserable and upset.