Okay, but who doesn't hate Mondays? I'm sure there are a few, but to most people Monday is the start to a long week.

In this book, we meet a new friend name George J. He seems like a fun, little dude! He likes spaceships and funny books! You know what he doesn't like? MONDAYS! They are brutal and miserable and awful. Most adults who work the whole 9-5 work week will agree and probably be able to empathize a lot with our new friend. George presents some great reasons as to why Mondays suck (and man, do they suck BIG TIME).

Why is this book so good? It lets kids know that it's okay to worry and not like Mondays. Mondays can bring some big feelings for kids who might not know what to expect (or know to expect the worst). It gives kids a chance to understand and see some solutions for big feelings.

The illustrations in this book are simple and remind me old kid comics. They give this book some personality!

Overall, this is a fun book! I'd highly recommend it for a little chuckle and a splash of learning.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amitz Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from Darcie Rowan PR through NetGalley.
George is not a fan of Mondays. He shares his top five reasons with readers. They may identify with at least one of them and possibly all five. His family listens to him and reassures him that he can be brave and face the new day at school. Each is supportive when the dreaded Monday arrives also.
Hong uses clear language for elementary level readers. The illustrations are simple and detailed enough for readers to recognize George, see his story and fill in their own connections.
Terrific book for families or classes to reassure nervous children and offer assurance of consistency in the classroom.

This is such an amazing topic to cover with your kids. One of the children in my own family struggles with self motivation and having a positive outlook on her day. I sat with her and we read this book and I could see how much it helped her to have a child to relate with. I highly recommend this book!

This was a fun picture book about a boy who is dreading returning to school on Monday. It has very bright, bold colors and a strong art style, and I think it'll be good for children who don't feel brave on Mondays. I liked the contrast between George listing his fears about Mondays, and all of them were addressed, which was nice to see. I liked that his worries are welcomed by his family and they tell him it's okay to be worried, but you can still be brave, instead of being told not to worry at all. Overall, this was a nice read.

Despite the blurb pointing out that the book was written by a mother of a child with additional needs, I didn't feel that this book singled out children in this position. Instead, it took a common problem that we all experience, in this case starting a new school year, and described how George was feeling anxious.

I love how adaptions were made to make George look at things differently.

The pictures were very simple and easy to read. The text was short and to the point. Overall, I thought this would make a good reading experience for young children towards the end of the summer holidays when they are getting ready to transition from preschool to primary school.

4/4 stars but only because I felt it slightly missed the brief.

The illustrations are adorable and will aid caregivers in generating lots of discussion. In the end Mondays don't look so miserable to me. Snuggle up and read George J and the Miserable Monday.

I read this with my 5 year old. He thought it was funny. The illustrations were good. Enjoyable story, showing how children's anxiety can prevent them from thinking that they could have a good day. This book opened up a discussion on how everyone has worries and fears, very common ones, even friends and moms and dads. The book ended up well, showing that fears/worries are often unfounded. This book was provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

George J. is a little boy who is struggling with worry and anxiety regarding the approach of Monday. He enjoys his weekends immensely. They are always fun and stress free and then Monday rolls around and George begins to fret and feel nervous because he has to go to school. He gives the reader 5 reason's why Mondays are scary to him. Both his mom and his dad tell him it's ok to feel nervous and that fear and bravery work closely together and he can choose the latter which will give him confidence and inner peace.

Kids will learn that fear can be overcome as they face changes in their lives. They will understand that they are not alone to deal with their struggles of nervousness. Their family and friends are there to support them and cheer them on. The message of the book is positive and uplifting and it is a perfect catalyst for discussion of feelings and emotions regarding emotional challenges that may occurr. I highly recommend this book.

We chose this book because my son does not like Mondays haha! The story is perfect for children who are not fond of the beginning of a new week. The book explores George's dislike of Monday. We get an explanation why he dislikes it, which are the same reasons most children dislike it as well. And then, we get to experience Monday through George's eyes, and we realize it's not that bad! Yes, it is not as fun as being home spending time with family and enjoying the weekend, but overall, Mondays can be fun if we have a positive attitude about it! It nearly convinced my son that Mondays are not that bad haha!

George J. and the Miserable Monday is a fabulous children's book, focusing on anxiety and worry that children may experience. George is a child that clearly experiences worry. He loves weekends with his family, but fears Mondays (and the unknown) and does not like them, or want them to come. He is fearful things will change in his classroom over the weekend, and is fearful that his friends won't want to play with him when he comes back from the weekend.

This book would be a wonderful book for kids, especially in the 3-6 year old range, with their first experiences of school and being away from their family. It teaches children that although there are worries (change, being away from family, not having his stuffy with him at school) these things are OK to worry about, and it legitimizes his concerns. His parents are supportive, and really support George with his fears and worries.

Overall, this books is great to address these anxieties of children, and my toddler loved it!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

"Mondays are not a weekend."

I love this kid! His concerns about going to school are the same feelings many children experience, and I am sure they will relate well to this book. The simple sentences and illustrations are lovely and will easily hold their attention. As a parent with an occasionally anxious child, I appreciate that George J acknowledges these feelings, but still goes about his day like a big, brave boy. These are great lessons!

Lots of kids feel anxious especially about starting a new school week. While I don’t think this book will necessarily help their anxiety, I do think it will help them to feel not so alone. I like that the book didn’t gloss over George’s feelings but instead allowed him to feel them and let his family help.

I think this book has potential. It didn't really make sense to me why the main character doesn't like Mondays. He had to have heard it from someone else. Maybe he learned the fact that Mondays are Miserable from his older brother? That fact about the main character is not feeling "brave" throughout the book didn't work. How does "being brave" work into Mondays being miserable? I think this could be a great book for 5-7 year olds. The illustrations work and are clear. I think this book also needs some more "pizazz" words and more adjectives/descriptions.

I also went back and read the description again after finishing reading the book, and realized the author is a special needs mom. I would suggest the main character in this book also have special needs - because then the whole "being brave" thing would make a lot more sense.

What a lovely book helping reassure children about life.

This book is perfect at explaining that them that it's okay to worry but sometimes it's not needed and being brave is good.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.


This is story about a kid GEORGE who like any other kid hates Mondays as it is the start of the same process all around.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend for all toddlers.

Whole Review to come once the book is published

What a sweet way to help children struggling with stress! I loved George's reasons, very relatable to young readers, and how helpful his family! Such an important lesson for kids to learn at a young age.

This book has a simple, yet effective message. The illustrations are cute and visually support the verbal message it portrays.

I would look out for further titles from this author.