Independent Reading Level: 1st - 2nd grade

California Young Reader Medal (Nominee – Primary, Grades K-2 – 1978)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee – Primary, Grades K-2 – 1976)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee – 1976)
George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award
Georgia Children's Book Award (Winner – Picturebook – 1977)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee – 1977)
Indies Choice Book Award (Picture Book Hall of Fame – 2010)
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009.0270, 2009, Ages 5↑)
The Kindergarten Canon: The 100 Best Children’s Books

Burned in my brain forever. First, because of the wonderful list of descriptors in the title, repeated throughout the story. I must have hit it at the right time in language development, because it stuck in my mind. I think I used that phrase "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day," for a couple of decades, usually in jest or as a way of mocking my drama. Second, because it was the first library book I ever lost. I'm pretty sure I was freaked out, but I remember the librarians as being nicely firm about it. Yet it remains a guilty scar. ( )

What an excellent story with a simple, wise ending. I'm sorry that I did not read this sooner. ( )

I think I’ll move to Australia. ( )

this book is a staple in any library because everyone knows this story and it is quite funny and will make children laugh