The Backward Day

Krauss gets kids, that's for sure. As an adult, I'm a bit bemused; this boy's family was sure quick on the uptake (maybe they're used to his cleverness, his eccentricities, his imagination). I'm glad that it's not been updated - the boy's "suit" of clothes from the 1950s could have been relabeled "uniform" or something but wasn't. I'm definitely glad for everyone's sake that the 'day' only lasted about an hour.

This picture book, about the reversal of ordinary reality in one boy's life, is quaint (originally published in 1950) but still appealing to children. The plot centers on one young boy who declares that it is Backward Day, and proceeds through his normal routines in reverse of their normal order. His mother, father, and baby sister represent the quintessential white nuclear family evocative of "Leave it to Beaver," and play along with his game. However, the author restrains herself to a rather drab imagination of what might be a very humorous romp--the little boy gets dressed, walks downstairs, eats breakfast, in a backwards fashion. Marc Simont's illustrations are clear but not bright or exuberant, and exacerbate the 1950's time warp show more feeling. I can't help but feel that the book is a bit out of synch with what children are used to in picture books--colorful illustrations or exciting stories are both lacking here. The redeeming quality of the story is the concept of a "backward day" itself. show less

I can't believe this was written in the 50s! It's a little wordy compared to today's standards, but the story is deliciously irreverent. The little boy announces it's backward day, and his whole family just goes along without questioning it. A perfect example of "playful parenting"!

A little boy decides upon waking that today is Backward Day. He gets dressed with his underwear on the outside, sits backward at the breakfast table, and declares himself too full to eat. His family - father, mother, baby sister - all go along with it - and the boy goes back upstairs (backward, of course) and into bed, whereupon the day starts over.

See also: The Shrinking of Treehorn

Ever feel like doing everything differently? The little boy in The Backward Day does! He wakes up and decides it is backwards day. Starting with getting dressed and throughout his morning, the little boy does everything backward with the cooperation of his family. The little boy has fun with this idea with his family.
This is a cute story from the 1950’s, published for the first time with wonderful illustrations by Marc Simont.

feel certain I have read this before - but here we are - would love to read it to Roman - or soon enough - to have him read it to me