Bea's bad day by Tom Percival

Bea’s bad day is another in this series about feelings. The others in The big bright feelings book series are shown on the inside back cover and include Tilda tries again, and Milo’s monster. In this book about feelings, Bea is shown as an ordinary young girl doing things with her family, until something upsets her and she gives in to her temper.

Her birthday is in two days’ time. She is very excited. Her grandparents and cousins are all visiting to cut the cake and share her birthday with her. The day before her birthday she ventures outside and finds snow is falling. A few snowflakes hit her face, but then it keeps on snowing. The snow is so deep that the postman cannot call in to deliver her cards and presents.

On the day of her birthday she is more than disappointed when none of the expected visitors can come. Her sad feelings emanate from her. As her temper takes over shards fill the air around her. Mum tries to placate her and gives her a present. One of the grandparents rings her to wish her well, but her disappointment does not lessen and the shards are still around her.

Her brother Archie takes her outside and together they play and toboggan in the snow.  Returning home she finds decorations in the house for her birthday and dad walks in with her birthday cake. Unfortunately he trips and the cake lands upside down on the table. Everyone holds their breath wondering what Bea will do. She gets a spoon and eats some of the cake, so does Archie, and then her parents because even though it does not look like it usually does, it is still delicious and they all laugh together as they spoon the cake into their mouths.

This charming story of one girl’s temper will have repercussions with the readers as they learn through the story that losing one’s temper does not change what has happened. Bea loses her temper over something which is unavoidable and her presents and brother show her that one disappointment can lead on to doing something else instead. And doing it all together with a laugh helps as well.

Themes: Anger, Temper, Disappointment, Birthdays, Family.

Fran Knight