Book Review
Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
Written by Sally J. Pla
Illustrated by Ken Min
Published October 9, 2018
Why we chose this book:
To see how the characters handle bad days (confronting tough feelings is a theme always on my radar). And I think representation of different needs is invaluable. Lee and Low Books provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mom's Review:
When Sammy comes home cold, wet, and hungry after a bad day at school, he compares his bad days with his little brother Benji's. Sammy believes that no one cares about his bad like they do for Benji, who receives particular consideration on his bad days. Readers will observe that although Sammy contrasts their situations, there is little animosity; in the end it is Benji who comforts Sammy. The final page shows both boys together, Sammy saying, "Side by side is where we are, and how we'll always be!"
Although we are not told that Benji is a boy with autism, adults and some older children may recognize characteristics and resources associated with autism: Benji visits a down-town clinic each week where the Super-Happy Lady encourages him to play a game or throw a ball, but Benji never does; Benji speaks very little; Benji needs a small, quiet, enclosed space to regain his calm; Benji is soothed by a blanket wrapped tightly around him. Back matter also outlines some autistic tendencies, noting the author's son's experience as inspiration for this book.
Clearly a book featuring neurodiversity and a bit of sibling disgruntlement, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me depicts an understanding and appreciation for differences by both brothers. Each has his own bad days and his own needs; both boys' needs are portrayed as equally valid - neither is right or wrong. Children with younger siblings may feel validated by the portrayal of Sammy's complex feelings about Benji. And children with siblings whose needs differ noticeably from their own can especially identify with Sammy, recognizing their own love and challenges in his.
T has been having me read Benji, the Bad Day, and Me back to back. We've talked about how the boys feel, how they treat each other, and how we handle bad days. T really likes that Benji has a box to play in. He doesn't pick up on the autism-spectrum behaviors Benji exhibits, and I don't point them out. It's all just part of the story and part of who Benji and Sammy are. And that's kind of the point, isn't it?
Son's Review:
(Age: 4)
Mom: What is the most important thing to know? What do you really like about it?
Son: It's a good one because I really like it. Because it is a story with a box and I like that kind of story.
Mom: Both boys had bad days. Do you sometimes feel that way? What makes you feel better?
Son: Uh-huh. Being loved makes me feel better.
Mom: Would you want to be friends with Sammy? What would you want to do with him?
Son: I would say, "Sometimes I have bad days and what I like to do to help myself is do fun things." Well if it were a long time, I would want to have a movie night with popcorn and go to Mohegan Sun and use the telescope. And try to comfort Sammy.
Mom: What about Benji, who has the box and the blanket?
Son: I would also help him. I would take both brothers to Mohegan Sun and in my backyard to do the telescope and watch a movie with popcorn, which I would do with the brothers as the first thing. And then I would have dinner and then I would have dessert and then I would telescope and then I would do Mohegan Sun.
Mom: Benji is in preschool just like you. Does he do anything you also like to do?
Son: Of course! Be in boxes.
Mom: How did it make you feel when Benji came out of his box? And when he rolled up Sammy?
Son: Curious. Then I knew that. That's what Daddy does with my towel.
Mom: How do you think Sammy and Benji felt? ... How do you think they felt at the end?
Son: Mad and sad and bad. ... Happy because their mother maded them a drink.
Mom: How did the ending make you feel?
Son: Happy because they got what they liked.
Mom: What was your favorite part of the book?
Son: The part in the middle. The part with the box.
Mom: When is it a good time to read this book?
Son: When I'm feeling sad and bad and mad.
Mom: Who else might like this book? People who...
Son: Like to solve problems and have box houses.
 |
| There's a blue blanket under T, a pillow and toys behind the book, and a drink - just like Benji has. He set this all up and asked me to take the photo. |
Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
Written by Sally J. Pla
Illustrated by Ken Min
Published October 9, 2018
Why we chose this book:
To see how the characters handle bad days (confronting tough feelings is a theme always on my radar). And I think representation of different needs is invaluable. Lee and Low Books provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mom's Review:
When Sammy comes home cold, wet, and hungry after a bad day at school, he compares his bad days with his little brother Benji's. Sammy believes that no one cares about his bad like they do for Benji, who receives particular consideration on his bad days. Readers will observe that although Sammy contrasts their situations, there is little animosity; in the end it is Benji who comforts Sammy. The final page shows both boys together, Sammy saying, "Side by side is where we are, and how we'll always be!"
Although we are not told that Benji is a boy with autism, adults and some older children may recognize characteristics and resources associated with autism: Benji visits a down-town clinic each week where the Super-Happy Lady encourages him to play a game or throw a ball, but Benji never does; Benji speaks very little; Benji needs a small, quiet, enclosed space to regain his calm; Benji is soothed by a blanket wrapped tightly around him. Back matter also outlines some autistic tendencies, noting the author's son's experience as inspiration for this book.
Clearly a book featuring neurodiversity and a bit of sibling disgruntlement, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me depicts an understanding and appreciation for differences by both brothers. Each has his own bad days and his own needs; both boys' needs are portrayed as equally valid - neither is right or wrong. Children with younger siblings may feel validated by the portrayal of Sammy's complex feelings about Benji. And children with siblings whose needs differ noticeably from their own can especially identify with Sammy, recognizing their own love and challenges in his.
T has been having me read Benji, the Bad Day, and Me back to back. We've talked about how the boys feel, how they treat each other, and how we handle bad days. T really likes that Benji has a box to play in. He doesn't pick up on the autism-spectrum behaviors Benji exhibits, and I don't point them out. It's all just part of the story and part of who Benji and Sammy are. And that's kind of the point, isn't it?
Son's Review:
(Age: 4)
Mom: What is the most important thing to know? What do you really like about it?
Son: It's a good one because I really like it. Because it is a story with a box and I like that kind of story.
Mom: Both boys had bad days. Do you sometimes feel that way? What makes you feel better?
Son: Uh-huh. Being loved makes me feel better.
Mom: Would you want to be friends with Sammy? What would you want to do with him?
Son: I would say, "Sometimes I have bad days and what I like to do to help myself is do fun things." Well if it were a long time, I would want to have a movie night with popcorn and go to Mohegan Sun and use the telescope. And try to comfort Sammy.
Mom: What about Benji, who has the box and the blanket?
Son: I would also help him. I would take both brothers to Mohegan Sun and in my backyard to do the telescope and watch a movie with popcorn, which I would do with the brothers as the first thing. And then I would have dinner and then I would have dessert and then I would telescope and then I would do Mohegan Sun.
Mom: Benji is in preschool just like you. Does he do anything you also like to do?
Son: Of course! Be in boxes.
Mom: How did it make you feel when Benji came out of his box? And when he rolled up Sammy?
Son: Curious. Then I knew that. That's what Daddy does with my towel.
Mom: How do you think Sammy and Benji felt? ... How do you think they felt at the end?
Son: Mad and sad and bad. ... Happy because their mother maded them a drink.
Mom: How did the ending make you feel?
Son: Happy because they got what they liked.
Mom: What was your favorite part of the book?
Son: The part in the middle. The part with the box.
Mom: When is it a good time to read this book?
Son: When I'm feeling sad and bad and mad.
Mom: Who else might like this book? People who...
Son: Like to solve problems and have box houses.
 |
| My staging...yeah, T's is way better. |
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