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ashlyn_f_stel's review against another edition
4.0
So this book was adorable! I only knocked off one star because it’s slightly problematic but not as much as to hamper my enjoyment level. That problematic aspect was that a man walked into a laundromat and demanded that the woman clean his pants immediately and proceeds to take them off right there. And then they magically fall in love... yay? The personification of the bad mood was unique however and I would recommend it.
micah_thelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed this*! The story is a great way to explain to children how their actions create ripples. I'd love to see a sequel to this with a Good Mood ;)
*BUT. WHAT IS WITH THE WHITE GUY AND HIS LACK OF PANTS AND THE BROWN WOMAN'S AGENCY NOT BEING RESPECTED. WHAT. how did this part of the story even get through an editor. it's WILD to me that this plot line got included. There could have been a hundred other plot lines that would have been better and still gotten the point across: sans icky underwear-bearing old white guy.
*BUT. WHAT IS WITH THE WHITE GUY AND HIS LACK OF PANTS AND THE BROWN WOMAN'S AGENCY NOT BEING RESPECTED. WHAT. how did this part of the story even get through an editor. it's WILD to me that this plot line got included. There could have been a hundred other plot lines that would have been better and still gotten the point across: sans icky underwear-bearing old white guy.
tvancort's review against another edition
5.0
Charming. Went looking for Maurice Sendak at the library and this was nearby. Yay!
sanadw's review against another edition
5.0
Another children's book with a message for everyone. Love Lemony Snicket!
pplydm's review against another edition
4.0
I just love any book by Lemony. It may have a mature sensitive content unveiled by colorful caricatures at times.
By then the bad mood had been all around the world.
You yourself had it several times.
By then the bad mood had been all around the world.
You yourself had it several times.
rakiosrez's review against another edition
1.0
Love the artwork, don't like the story. There could have been better ways to demonstrate, " You never know what is going to happen." Why would a dry cleaner find the rude old man charming after he took off his pants, especially after she explicitly told him not to? And what do unexpected events have to do with bad moods? I get it. Unexpected silly situations can make you laugh and get you out of a bad mood. But with the way it is shown in the story I doubt children will easily make the connection.
crystalisreading's review against another edition
2.0
This is a cute and funny book. Who doesn't understand that traveling/ shared bad mood? The poor stick was just along for the ride. The art is charming and evocative, especially of the moods. I think kids will think it's funny and perhaps it can start some good conversations about moods.
HOWEVER, there is a small element to the story that just bothers me more the longer I think about it. Among the various mood-altering calamities that happen, a (white) man gets his pants dirty. He goes to a dry cleaner to have the pants cleaned, and tells the (black) woman who runs the shop that he is going to take off the pants. She tells him no, but HE DOES IT ANYWAY. Then, once his pants are off, SHE DECIDES SHE LIKES HIM. I honestly don't mind that sort of wink, wink, nudge, nudge of risque humor to the adults reading the story, even in a picture book like this. But I have serious concerns about the implications of a woman saying no, a man doing it anyway, and then her deciding she likes him and being OK with what he did. I think it's creepy and problematic and plants the wrong ideas about consent and relationships in impressionable young minds. Because of that, I really can't in good conscience recommend the book, especially since it's not a page incident, like much of the book, but becomes a running theme in the rest of the story. Lemony Snicket, what were you thinking? Your book has put me a in a bad mood.
HOWEVER, there is a small element to the story that just bothers me more the longer I think about it. Among the various mood-altering calamities that happen, a (white) man gets his pants dirty. He goes to a dry cleaner to have the pants cleaned, and tells the (black) woman who runs the shop that he is going to take off the pants. She tells him no, but HE DOES IT ANYWAY. Then, once his pants are off, SHE DECIDES SHE LIKES HIM. I honestly don't mind that sort of wink, wink, nudge, nudge of risque humor to the adults reading the story, even in a picture book like this. But I have serious concerns about the implications of a woman saying no, a man doing it anyway, and then her deciding she likes him and being OK with what he did. I think it's creepy and problematic and plants the wrong ideas about consent and relationships in impressionable young minds. Because of that, I really can't in good conscience recommend the book, especially since it's not a page incident, like much of the book, but becomes a running theme in the rest of the story. Lemony Snicket, what were you thinking? Your book has put me a in a bad mood.
kelseyr713's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this! The illustrations are very pretty, and the story made me smile. The underwear/love story aspect is weird for a picture book though.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I adore the illustrations. But it wasn't quite as ... clever as some of Snicket's other picture books.