The Bad Mood and the Stick
Age 2+
Picture Storybooks Personal & Social Issues Humorous Stories
Creators
Lemony Snicket (Author)
Lemony Snicket is the author of the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events; several picture books, including The Dark; and the books collectively titled All the Wrong Questions.
Matthew Forsythe (Illustrator)
Matthew Forsythe is the illustrator of the New York Times Notable Children's Book My Name is Elizabeth and was the lead designer on the television series Adventure Time. He was born in Toronto and now splits his time between Montreal and Southern Ontario, where he designs and illustrates.
Reviews
Skilfully immersive… here a seemingly traditional picture book is full of mischievous values. Children will love the engaging illustrations by Matt Forsythe, and will enjoy Snicket’s teasing moral: that even bad moods have a silver lining
Daily Telegraph
Snicket’s story takes unexpected turns and reveals delightful surprises, told with smart, silly language and cheeky asides; every page blooms with beautiful artwork done in bright, colorful gouache washes and featuring charming, 1960s-style animal and human characters.
Kirkus, starred review
Lemony Snicket’s simply told story offers a refreshing, thoughtful, and hilarious look at the ways in which a bad mood wreaks havoc
Lovereading4Kids
A refreshingly hilarious look at the ways in which a bad mood wreaks havoc… Will strike a chord with everyone
Angels and Urchins
A thoughtful look at the mysterious and unexpected ways in which bad moods move from person to person, with lashings of Snicket’s droll humour. A great starting point from which to discuss emotions with children.
The Bookseller
Enjoyable
Early Years Educator
Guaranteed to raise a smile… preschoolers will find much of it hilarious, and there are useful messages about grumpiness to convey along the way
Teach Early Years
An irreverent masterpiece about coincedence and happenstance which might just have parents snorting with laughter even more than their little ones… Dynamic and stunningly coloured, yet packed with incredible detail
Askews & Holts Library Services
Well-observed and witty
The School Librarian
Full of laughs, despite being about bad moods
Newbury Weekly News
If you want a cure for a case of bad moodiness, this is absolutely perfect
Red Reading Hub
An off-the-wall story for young children by author Lemony Snicket with truly wonderful illustrations by Matt Forsythe.
The Bookbag
A treasure
Book Riot
This book instantly draws you in, largely thanks to Matthew’s engaging art but also thanks to Mr Snicket’s rather wry and tongue-in-cheek way of looking at things through a youngster’s eyes.
Read It, Daddy! blog
