Boy, Was I Mad!

A little boy named Ted is so angry he decides to run away. As he wanders the street of his neighborhood he keeps finding fun things to do but then reminds himself he's supposed to be angry and running away.

It's a pretty nothing story, though marred with one of Ted's playmates appropriating indigenous culture for a costume. Even Mercer Mayer art can't do much to enliven this dud.

Kathryn Hitte must have a wonderful talent for reading children. The book, so accurately, reminded me of myself as a young child and the young children I work with that often feel the need to play the roll of being upset even if it means fighting off happiness. Come to think of it, as an adult I still find myself in this situation. But as Hitte writes, "there are too many interesting things to do and friends to do them with" to stay upset.
The one and only thing that I do not appreciate about the story is the line: "They were marching in a long single line like Indians" in reference to ants. In all my Native American studies, I've never earned marching to be a distinguishable characteristic of the culture. In the books defense, it was show more written in the 1960's similar to Hilary Knights ABS book, which also makes an inaccurate Native American reference. show less

I used to read this book to my children, often. As children get angry, just like adults, it's a good book for both children and adults (just like "The Giving Tree") with a different theme.

The boy is a typical boy, who has difficulty understanding why he had to do or be who has to do or be. This book is easy to read again, and yet warms the heart with valuable lessons about our never taking things for granted.

A five-star book for sure. The detailed illustrations are beautiful and the story of a little boy who gets angry and runs away from home - only to be distracted by the fun and intestesting things throughout his neighborhood are right on. He has such a good day he forgets that he was mad and running away and ends up back at home where his mother has supper ready for him. It's a little out-dated here and there, for example the junk man drives a horse and wagon through the city, but that doesn't matter - it's a timeless story.

It's a shame this book is out of print. I found my copy quite by accident at a used bookstore.

If you run across a copy of this book - BUY IT!

I used to read this book to my children, often. As children get angry, just like adults, it's a good book for both children and adults (just like "The Giving Tree") with a different theme.

The boy is a typical boy, who has difficulty understanding why he had to do or be who has to do or be. This book is easy to read again, and yet warms the heart with valuable lessons about our never taking things for granted.