RJ has had a rough day – he wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he’s late to school, earns a zero on his math homework, kicks the ball into his own team’s soccer goal, and messes up Mom’s kitchen with his overflowing pancake batter! With his mother’s help, RJ learns that his problems happen because he doesn’t listen or pay attention to directions from her, his school principal, teachers, or even his friends.

Author Julia Cook’s new book shows RJ as well as all K-6 readers the steps to the fundamental social skills of listening and following instructions. When RJ learns to use these skills the right way, he has the best day of his life!

This book is the first in a series to teach children social skills that can make home life happier and school more successful. The skills are part of the Boys Town Education Model that has improved student behavior and classroom climates in hundreds of schools across the country. The book includes tips for parents and educators on how to effectively teach listening and following instructions skills to kids.

Reviews:
"What a cute and well written book. . . We’ve read the book a couple of times and each time there is an opportunity for wonderful dialogue between myself and my twins. RJ learns quickly that by taking a few moments to listen…he will save himself a lot of frustration."
~The IE Mommy Blog

"How will RJ learn to do this when he finds it not fun and boring? Some steps suggested to RJ are: LOOK right at the person who is talking to you. DO NOT SPEAK until she is through. Show that you’ve HEARD what she’s trying to say by NODDING your head and saying ‘OKAY.’ A similar checklist of ideas helps RJ to follow instructions. Gradually RJ realizes that the way for him to have a really great day is to listen carefully and follow instructions. Taking responsibility for listening and following instructions will soon give RJ the best day ever! “The Worst Day of My Life” ends with a list of helpful tips for parents and educators, plus reference to the “Activity Guide for Teachers and Poster Set: The Worst Day of My Life Ever!” (ISBN 9781934490235, $19.95), which includes a DVD containing related worksheets and activities. The complete set is recommended for students with attentiveness issues in grades K-5."
~The Midwest Book Review, August 2011

"Listening to others, following directions, making good choices. These are some pretty important lessons for children to learn and a tall order for a book to teach. Author Julia Cook has found a way to present them in a light-hearted manner that parents felt was going to impact their child's social interactions."
~The National Parenting Center, Spring 2011

"With The Worst Day of My Life…EVER! Julia Cook has hit another home run. Kids will not only relate but learn from the character RJ as he uses listening skills to transform his worst day ever into his best day ever! Parents, teachers, and school counselors will delight in having such an invaluable resource on their bookshelf."
~Roxanne Davidson, Elementary School Counselor, Portland, OR, Founder of Books That Heal Kids Blog

To see complete reviews, click here.

Also available with audiobook

About the Author and Illustrator
	Julia Cook is a former teacher and school counselor who has written more than a dozen books on behavior and health for children, including My Mouth is a Volcano and It’s Hard to be a Verb. Her light, humorous approach keeps kids laughing while they’re learning good behavior skills. She has received the Association for Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award. Kelsey De Weerd is a graphic designer and illustrator living in Los Angeles.

Published by Boys Town Press
ISBN: 978-1-934490-20-4
Dimensions: 9” x 9”
Pages: 32