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Sally J. Pla

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me Hardcover – October 9, 2018

by Sally J. Pla (Author), Ken Min (Illustrator)

56 ratings

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Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence, then the cafeteria ran out of pizza for lunch. After he walks home in the pouring rain, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too. On days like this, Benji has a special play-box where he goes to feel cozy and safe. Sammy doesn't have a special place, and he's convinced no one cares how he feels or even notices him. But somebody is noticing, and may just have an idea on how to help Sammy feel better.

Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Lee & Low Books
Publication date

October 9, 2018
Grade level

1 - 2
Dimensions

10.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

1620143453
ISBN-13

978-1620143452
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SALLY J. PLA is the award-winning author of two novels for young people, The Someday Birds and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine. Many of Pla's stories are based on her experience of raising three active little boys, very close in age. When her sons were young and having a bad day, they loved being "made into burritos" -- getting wrapped tightly in their blankets. The tight pressure appealed especially to Pla's autistic son. Pla lives with her family in Southern California. You can find her online at sallyjpla.com.

KEN MIN's picture book debut Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji, published by Lee & Low Books, received the Picture Book Honor for Literature from the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). Ken is an illustrator and animation storyboard artist for commercials and animated TV shows such as Futurama, Fairly Odd Parents, and New Looney Tunes. His illustration work has been recognized numerous times by the Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). Min lives in Los Angeles, California. You can see more of his artwork online at kenminart.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lee & Low Books; Illustrated edition (October 9, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1620143453
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1620143452
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #316,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #499 in Children's Books on Disabilities
- #1,361 in Children's Siblings Books (Books)
- #3,199 in Children's Books on Emotions & Feelings (Books)

Customer Reviews:
56 ratings

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Sally J. Pla

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Sally J. Pla is an award-winning author of books for young people, including the novels The Someday Birds and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, and the picture book Benji, The Bad Day, And Me. Her newest novel for ages 10 and up, The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn, will be out in Summer 2023.

She believes in the beauty of different brains, that we are all stars shining with different lights. And she also runs anovelmind.com (A Novel Mind), the web resource uplifting honest, helpful mental health and neurodiversity representation in children's lit.

Find out more at sallyjpla.com.

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KS

This was a sweet story to read to my students.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

I bought this book in anticipation of a 3rd grade author's visit with Sally Pla, and as part of Autism Acceptance Month. I read it to several 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes, all of whom enjoyed the story. We were able to invite siblings of brothers on the autistic spectrum to the author's visit as part of a panel. It was a wonderful experience.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

shari sawyers

LOVE this sensitive, sweet book about brotherly love - even on bad days!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2018

Verified Purchase

We ALL have bad days, and Sammy is having one now. It seems to Sammy like only little brother Benji's bad days get noticed. But maybe someone DOES see Sammy - someone who really does know what a bad day feels like!
Each word in this picture book is chosen with care, and the gorgeous illustrations add to the story in a way words sometimes can't, especially in a book about and for young children.
My 5yo can't get enough of this book, and I am thrilled to see a book that not only touches on neurodiversity, but addresses the feelings of siblings. I'm so glad I ordered the hardcover book instead of waiting for the paperback version to come out - it is one that I will be sharing with my son and my students for many years.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

LF

Another fabulous book by Sally J. Pla

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2018

Verified Purchase

Reading this book feels even better than wrapping yourself in the fuzzy blue blanket that makes Benji and his brother feel better, on a bad day. My favorite pages are the two-page spread, where Ken Min illustrates Benji, in his safety zone, the cardboard box, peering through the cutout window. He sees his brother, the narrator, who is grumpy, cold, and has spilled milk all over the kitchen table. This beautifully written and illustrated story also has a fabulous author’s note. Pla says: “It’s important to note that no two autistic kids are alike, and their needs and behaviors will always be different.”

Helpful

melirdec

Autism and brotherly love. Truthful and touching!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

Anyone who knows and loves a child with autism will be brought to tears by this beautifully written and illustrated story about two brothers.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2018

Verified Purchase

This beautiful book is a sweet story highlighting empathy and the joy it can bring after having a hard day. The pictures are gorgeous and it is a pleasure to read with the littles. Enjoy!

Helpful

Miss Mancini, Grade 5 Teacher

Adorable!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is such a sweet story about two brothers, one on the spectrum and the other not. It made me smile. Great for kids and adults alike!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 17, 2019

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?

Also posted on my blog: Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk

One person found this helpful

Helpful

phaea crede

Relatable and compassionate

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 28, 2019

We've all had bad days when nothing seems to go right, and this story shows that even when we don't feel seen, there's often someone very important looking out for us :) Wonderful story that my 3-year-old, my 6-year-old, and I all loved equally.

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