Book of the Month April 2016 - [My Big Shouting Day]

Review of My Big Shouting Day
Author-illustrator Rebecca Patterson.

I love this book.   I am sure there are several  reasons  as to why it was awarded the Roald Dahl Funny Prize… the illustrations and narrative are just two.  Anyone who has had the care of a child will identify with what looks like a rough day from beginning to end.  

Bella, the child in question (and star of the book, though the mother  is the real heroine  for her patience) starts her day off with finding her baby brother in her room, crawling on the floor licking her jewellery and that is the start of the shouting. Nothing…..absolutely nothing in her day goes well from here on in…..her egg, her shoes, the broken biscuit, not letting her friend be a princess, the itchy ballet outfit, lying on the pavement with her leg stuck up in the air are just some of the problems Bella, her mother and brother suffer throughout the day.  

It is a book that you can read with a child (preferably when they are not having a’ Bella Day’). The large shouty writing encourages the reader to provide the volume and tone of each thing Bella is complaining about. The wry looks of Mum and other bystanders are also noticeable. Eventually after the ‘too hot bath’ and ‘too minty toothpaste’ Bella eventually succumbs to being tired and gives in to her mum reading her favourite book to her.  Bella recognises she had had a big shouting day, and apologised to her Mummy (now, I know that may seem unbelievable  but stick with me on this!).  The heroine Mum says we all get those days and offers the hope of a better day tomorrow.  And like all good stories,  Bella has an absolutely fantastic day all day.  And they all lived happily ever after. 

Well maybe not really, but do give this book a go, I bet your little ones and big ones will enjoy it.  Reading this out loud, making funny voices and faces with story telling can be a great way of connecting and enjoying a bit of time with your child.  I think this could become a favourite for children and parents alike as it affords the opportunity for fun time together, and you can also slip in a few messages along the way.  Enjoy.

Rita Grant
Adoption Support Manager
St. Andrews Children’s Society.

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