The Best Bad Day Ever

Until a new friend comes along, Wolfie’s having an absolutely terrible day in this stylish, perceptive and highly entertaining exploration of grumpiness and viewpoint.

As soon as Wolfie wakes, it’s obvious that today is going to be bad.The sky is cloudy, his glass of milk isn’t full enough, and his bath water’s cold. Even his teddy’s feeling cross, and by the time Wolfie gets to nursery everything’s going wrong. Eventually he doesn’t notice anything except his mood – not even the overtures of friendship from someone who clearly admires Wolfie despite (or because of?) his atrocious attitude.

Marianna Coppo’s text is well crafted and enjoyable to read, but keen eyes will quickly start to notice that her pictures tell a different story. Wolfie isn’t the most reliable of narrators, and by the time his crosspatch scribbling prompts Penguin to copy him, everyone wants Wolfie to look up and see what’s really going on. So it’s even more of a pleasure when the naughty friends swap snacks, and they can really start to have some fun.

As a deadpan exploration of mood and viewpoint, The Best Bad Day Ever is wickedly funny and will quickly become a favourite with young audiences and their adults, but the humour is always delivered with affection. Everyone knows a Wolfie, whether or not they recognize themselves in his glass-half-full approach, and young audiences will connect with his fluctuating emotions and enjoy being ‘in on the joke’ as he displays the kind of behaviour they probably shouldn’t admire. Reading about Wolfie won’t stop a tantrum or transform a natural pessimist, but Coppo’s gentle messages about stepping back, reframing and looking for what’s good will help children to develop self-awareness, empathy and the ability to take a slightly longer view.

Coppo’s artwork is pleasingly minimal but there are plenty of details for children to spot and relate to their own experiences. Forms and props suggest settings, and characters are brought to life with careful, easy-to-read gestures and expressions. White backgrounds allow what matters to sing out on each page, and a saturated pastel palette adds a touch of contemporary sophistication.

Marianna Coppo is the author and illustrator of several other picturebooks including Petra, which was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.