Intro
"Alexander and the Awful, Dreadful, No Great, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst is a kids's book released in 1972, which tells the story of a young boy called Alexander who experiences a series of frustrating and humiliating occasions throughout his day. The book has actually become a classic for its relatable story and the way it assists children to understand and handle feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction.
Plot Summary
The story begins with young Alexander waking up and discovering gum in his hair, which he had erroneously left in there the night before. As he rises, he trips over his skateboard and mistakenly drops his sweatshirt into the sink filled with water. These are simply the start of a long series of regrettable events that Alexander will experience throughout his day.
The issues continue to accumulate as Alexander gets to school. His instructor, Mrs. Dickens, does not like the illustration he made during art class and slams it. Later on, his best friend, Paul, reveals he no longer thinks about Alexander as his buddy and chooses another boy called Philip instead. At lunch break, Alexander gets served a plate of lima beans, which he hates, and finds that his dessert is missing out on.
Things do not enhance when Alexander returns home. His mother takes him and his bros, Anthony and Nick, to get new shoes. Sadly, Anthony and Nick get cool blue and red shoes, but the shop lacks Alexander's size and he needs to opt for a set of plain white shoes. Alexander feels like he can not catch a break and simply wants he could move to Australia, where he believes things would be much better.
In your home, Alexander still encounters more awful occasions. His siblings have a much better day than he does and excitedly discuss their best of luck. Alexander gets captured by his mother with a note from his dental professional that he had concealed previously, exposing that he has a cavity. He gets frustrated when his mother scolds him, feeling that even she protests him.
Final Moments and Resolution
The story reaches its climax as Alexander's day concerns an end, and he prepares for bed. He recounts having an awful bath with soap in his eyes, no one praising his toothbrushing efforts, and getting yelled at for not getting out of the bathtub rapidly enough. Alexander starts hating everything-- lima beans, cavities, and even Australia.
As he finally goes to bed, his mother enters into the space and attempts to comfort Alexander. She acknowledges that some days are simply dreadful, dreadful, no excellent, and really bad. She gently assures him that it's all right to have a day like this, even in Australia. With his mom's understanding, Alexander feels a bit better, knowing that he is not the only one who experiences bad days.
Conclusion
"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is a precious kids's book that has stood the test of time due to its enduring message about the value of acknowledging and accepting bad days. Everybody, consisting of children, experiences aggravation, frustration, and hard days, and it is necessary for them to understand that it is alright to feel these feelings.
Surprisingly, Alexander's dream of escaping to Australia works as a helpful metaphor for handling unfavorable feelings. Although people might fantasize about escaping their troubles or wanting it away, bad days and negative emotions are part and parcel of life. At the end of the story, the author advises readers that it's important to deal with these challenges head-on and keep our resiliency.
With its engaging storyline, relatable protagonist, and ageless message, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is a must-read for kids, helping them to discover valuable life lessons and much better comprehend their feelings.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander experiences a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, during which everything that can go wrong for him does.
Author: Judith Viorst
Judith Viorst - renowned author, journalist, and speaker. Discover her timeless children's stories, poignant poems, and insightful memoirs.
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