Realistic Fiction: Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Book's Title: Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrated: Ray Cruz

Summary

A young boy, Alexander feels Terrible, Horrible, No Good, and very Bad all day. The boy always feel bad and has never been happy because he will move Australia. His family are busy to prepare for moving, but he want to do as usual...the end of book said "even Australia." 

Kind of Realistic Fiction

The book related the possibility of events, character, and plots in the real world. Most picture's books show good messages or happy the end, but the book is an opposed story. The boy seems want to stay same place and as usual every day, which make consider me more. The inside of the book is no color, which is only black illustration. It is clear and shows that the boy stubbornly resistant to change a new situation.

Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum

The "Self-love and Knowledge" and "Respect for Others" (Picower, B., 2012) included the book because children have experienced to feel uncomfortable to change new situations or environments. The result will help to understand why is happening. Thus, "Issues of Social Injustice" and "Social Movements and Social Change" is important to learn why boy or girl changed her/his attitude. Students and parents cannot assume they are bad. "Awareness Raising" and "Social Action" can help solving that students and teachers can communicate or hear from himself/herself through or after the book. Also, families involve the active and communication, too. Sometime, the result is not reason regarding the emotion. 

Students and families can share the book. In the first time, I read the book and did not understand why boy feel bad and not good. But I consider and discuss about the book, then I will understand more. So, it is good for students and families to discuss about the book. Adult and child are different point of view.