I Hate Everyone

PreS-Gr 2—It is her birthday, but this child is in quite a mood! A young girl is cranky and annoyed about all that is going on around her, even though it is her party. She hates balloons, people, and the dark—and is not afraid to say it. She is simply in the mood for a fight. But her struggle is internal as well, for as much as she says she doesn't want attention, she really does, and as much as she tells people to go away, she really wants them to stay. Her abrupt and bristly behavior is really a rough shell around her soft and loving center. The narrative is a little jarring and unanticipated at first, but as the story goes on, it is apparent that the young protagonist is just having a bad day. Tired, hungry, and overstimulated, she is having a difficult time managing her emotions, a feeling that many young readers may relate to. The wonderful thing is that the adults around her reassure her that they love her unconditionally, a positive message throughout the book. The big, blocky illustrations are done in shades of red, pink, and blue on a stark white background, creating a nice contrast much like the contrast of behaviors in the book.