Today’s prompt for Just Jot It January is a doozy: Antipodean. It necessitated an internet search. Turns out it’s pretty perfect for the Monday we’re having in the U.S.                   

Antipodean is a term used by us folks in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet Earth, to refer to anything Australian or New Zealand-ish.

This, in turn, caused me to search the children’s section of my many bookshelves to find a favorite written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz (1972), and treasured ever since.

Now, you may be ahead of me (or not…either way), but the book is “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”

Dust it off, check it out, buy it, or just listen and watch at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hukeHQah4U

And to quote Judith, if you’re having such a day, “My mom says some days are like that. Even in Australia.”

Mom knows. Mom cares. Mom may be having the same kind of day. So call. Or visit. And read this book to her! Hugs to you all! 

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)

Just Jot January Day 20 – Prompt: ANTIPODEAN from KIM. Be sure to visit their blog to read or just say hi!  See what other folks have done with the prompt, or add your own!    https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/20/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-20th-2025/