Alexander And The Terrible Horrible Very Bad Day Book

Okay, let's talk about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. You know, the one we all read as kids. The one that's supposed to be, like, super relatable.

I have a confession. I think it's a little…much.

My Unpopular Opinion

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the sentiment. Bad days happen. But Alexander? He seems to be actively searching for trouble. It's almost impressive.

First, he wakes up with gum in his hair. Understandable. Annoying, but life goes on.

Then, everything else just snowballs. He doesn't get a prize in his cereal box. Nick and Alex get all the window seats.

The Accumulation of Annoyances

This is where I start to question things. The shoe-buying trip? Seriously? Did he have to pick the shoes he didn't want?

And the dentist? His mom says he doesn't have any cavities, but his brothers do! He only complains after he finds out it is good news for him!

The lima beans for dinner? Okay, I get it. Lima beans are gross. But honestly, Alexander, you're melting down over lima beans?

He wishes he could move to Australia. A little dramatic, don't you think?

Is It *Too* Relatable?

Maybe that's the point. Maybe the book is supposed to be an exaggeration. A way to show kids that everyone has bad days. And I get that, really I do.

But sometimes I wonder if it normalizes complaining a little too much. Encouraging us to dwell on the small stuff.

We can all agree a tiny inconvenience sometimes can feel like the end of the world, but can it also become a self-fulfilling prophecy if we get too focused on it?

Perspective Check

I’m not saying we should all be relentlessly positive. Toxic positivity is a real thing. But maybe, just maybe, we can try to find the silver lining, even on the lima-bean-filled days.

Perhaps, Alexander could have focused on the fact that he didn't have any cavities. Or that at least he *had* shoes, even if they weren't his favorite.

Or, you know, appreciate the fact that he has a family and a home. Things could always be worse.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. My slightly controversial take on a childhood classic. I know, I know, I'm probably going to get some hate for this.

But that's okay. It's just my opinion. Maybe I'm just a grumpy grown-up who's forgotten what it's like to be a kid.

Or maybe, just maybe, Alexander needs to toughen up a little. Either way, I still think the book is a good reminder to everyone that it is okay to not be okay sometimes.

So, go ahead, reread the book. Maybe you'll agree with me. Or maybe you'll think I'm completely wrong. Either way, let's all try to have a slightly less terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day tomorrow.

Just maybe skip the lima beans.