The Sorely Trying Day (New York Review Books Children's Collection)

Very cute story! The Hobans wrote lovely books. Cute plot shows that everyone can have a bad day; teaches not to blame things on others and how to take responsibility for your own actions/attitude

I got this book for my grandkids, it gets a belly laugh every time. I also give it for presents and it is always a begged for read. It's also about honor. Russell Hoban has written some of my favorite books - and this is one of them. Also check out "The Sea Thing Child." Amazing.

Wonderful, realistic read aloud. Perfect for late 1st grade and on up through4th or 5th. Can be used as a mentor text for writing or for social skills, concepts of family, and conflict resolution. Russell Hoban is wonderful.

I just love this book. It's perfect to read as a family after you've had a little less than the perfect day. I love that there is a consequence for the kids actions, yet everything ends in love and good spirit.

Great story. Kids really can relate and it teaches them that by admitting their mistakes, they can work things out and get along.

I was introduced to this book as a teen and fell in love with it. I recently bought it for my kids, but they aren't thrilled with it - yet. My oldest is 5 yrs. I'm thinking 8 yrs might be a good age.

Loved the story!

Father comes home after a hard day at work and just wants to relax, read his newspaper and have some tranqillity and me-time. When he walks through the door he finds the total opposite. The kids are squabbling, the dog has chased the cat up on top of the grandfather clock, his wife has had it with all the wild bedlam and pandemonium reigns. Oh my!Poor Father... how did this all happen? He just wanted to unwind and not have any more problems to contend with. He realizes that the family must be sorted and they are all looking to him to do the sorting and to solve the problem!Father investigates and after the blaming and finger-pointing subsides he gives everyone (including the dog and the cat) a time out to think through what's been happening, apologize to each other and push the refresh button so they can get on with their evening. Will that be the case? Can they really do it? Will peace and harmony be restored so everyone can enjoy a quiet evening together?Every family can relate to this book that is why this is a perfect book to share after you too have experienced a "sorely trying day."

This is a good book to take out when you're kids are fighting and you can't stop them. You sense that even the dedication is funny and ironic: "For the charming young Misses Fitzhenry."Father comes home "feeling tired and weary. He had had a sorely trying day." He doesn't get the warm welcome he needs: "All of the children were striking one another and speaking unpleasantly in loud, harsh voices. Mother was saying, 'Stop that!' But the children would not stop.' Father demands an explanation for the chaos and each child in turn blames another child until everyone has been blamed, including the family cat and dog, right down the mouse, who is blamed for distracting the cat in the first place. The mouse can't argue with cat's logic and takes all responsibility for *everything*. "Who do you think you are?" the cat asks, accusing the mouse of putting on airs of unselfish heroism. Refusing to let the mouse take the blame and die a hero, the cat admits the fault was hers, and the dog accepts her apology and his own share of the blame, and the knock-on decency goes back through all the children, until everyone feels bad and sorry. There's another very good joke at the end. It's sophisticated and funny, and your kids may not get why they get it, but it might stop them hitting each other.