Everything's Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Trouble Everywhere

by Jory John, Erin Kraan (illustrator)

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Bad Seed, Jory John, and illustrator of Buffalo Fluffalo, Erin Kraan, comes a meaningful yet utterly hilarious tale―a companion to the popular picture books, Something's Wrong! And Nothing’s Wrong!

It’ll surely be a no-hassle, stress-free, easy-peasy kind of day . . .

Best friends Jeff and Anders start the day with the best of intentions, but before long, everything goes haywire. From power outages, to spilled breakfasts, to missing socks, a series of irritating incidents sends the bear-and-bunny duo on an epic journey that will test their fortitude and their friendship. Can these pals work together to salvage this disastrous day?

Another read-out-loud, laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling author Jory John, paired with standout talent Erin Kraan, reminds us that even when your day seems to go completely off the rails, you can make it through any challenge―especially when you have a good friend by your side.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Mental Health, Action

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.

Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We (9, 9, 43) really liked this book! It's a fun story with a nice message and lovely illustrations. We analyzed the woodcut prints on each page. Bravo, author and illustrator

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this along with the other two picture books in this series with a disabled woman I am a caregiver for. She thought they were really funny.

[theleighbrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 ⭐️

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts out as what seems like a good day for Jeff and Anders quickly goes from bad to worse. Just as these two best friends are about to give up, they are presented with another opportunity to make the best of their day.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about a bear who wakes to make something but the power goes out. Each animal-rabbit and bear has problems when the power goes out, they get locked out, and run into each other. One thing happens after another to bear and rabbit until they go to the lake and find other animals there enjoying the warm day and they join in. And when they go home each helps the other get inside and rest. a friendship story between forest animals.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel for these guys but it's right, you can find good moments within bad days.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, to be a rabbit hanging out with my bear friend in a cozy library where the walls are tree bark after a long weird day.

Judging by the cover I thought this picture book might be a little Too Silly or Too Quirky for my adult self, but I thought it was very funny and hopeful despite myself. It's like if Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day merged with Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I like how it talked about how unpleasant events turn funny after enough of them pile on top of each other, and trying to find relief from the chaos of the world in relaxing with each other. I felt like it struck the right balance between acknowledging a really off, hard time, and how to cut yourself slack, take a load off, and lean on community.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh dear! Anders the rabbit and Jeff the bear are having very weird days! First the power goes out - each one falls. Each one ends up with their breakfast stuck to their fur. Then, when they go outside -- the wind blows their doors shut! They are locked out! So Anders goes to find Jeff - who has a spare key - and ditto for Jeff who goes to find Anders. The literally bump into each other - and then one catastrophe after another occurs. They are a bit discouraged but they keep looking out for each other. And with the help of family and friends - the day gets better!

I think kids will enjoy reading about all the weird predicaments that befall Andre and Jeff. Especially if they have read the other books about them. A great book to read on a day when things are just not going well.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading "Everything's Wrong!" What a wonderful book choice! You learned something really important - that when everything feels like it's going wrong, we can take a deep breath and look for solutions instead of getting upset. Just like Bear and Hare discovered, problems seem smaller when we stay calm and work together. Next time something doesn't go your way at school or home, remember to pause and think about how to fix it, just like in your story. You're becoming such a thoughtful reader, sweetheart!

[Daniele Sant'Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-years-old daughter and me loved this book so much!!!!! The characters are so funny and they are so good together ♥️ We laughed a lot! The illustrations are really beautiful and after reading we like to draw the illustrations and my daughter color them afterwards. We met first “Nothing’s Wrong” and it was a success at home. My daughter wanted me to draw for her almost all the pages and she created a new book by herself. Every time she remembers something about the characters and the situations they face in the books. This book is already a favorite! We want more!!!!

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does it seem like so many children’s books that are being published in recent years are so disjointed and shallow?!! I feel like it fits the incredibly short attention spans that children today have.

I didn’t appreciate all the random exclamations throughout! How many times does a child’s picture book need to say “sheesh” and “gosh?!”

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy, do I feel like this more times than I would like to admit. It feels like everything goes wrong and you wish to go back to bed and wait for the next day. I love the bear and the hare, and the illustrations are great. My favorite sentence: "What are all these sticker-y, sticky, needle-y, poke-y, ouch-y, hurt-y thingies?"

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear and Hare are expecting it will be a great day, until it isn't. Everything that could go wrong did, and more. The story will resonate with kids and adults. The illustrations are amazing, colorful, and engaging. This is another Jory John book, sure to make your day. Highly recommended for Grades K-4.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I imagine this would be fun to read out loud/together with children. MANY interjections! While the message is great (and spelled out crystal clear for you at the end there, no need to come to your own conclusion, the author spells it out for you (yes, this bit annoys me lol)), it's not at all imaginative. It fell flat and the characters look high with the "allergy" eyes. Meh.

[Niya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In everything's wrong there's a bear named Jeff and a bunny named Anders they run out of there house because of a power cut . But when they run out of their house door got locked . In the end they swam into a big pool and had a pool party . the best part was when they had a pool party
the part i didn't like was when they had the power cut . I hope you like it!

[Laura Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Even on a bad day, Anders, it's possible to have some nice moments."

What a great beautiful lesson in this book about the frustrations of a bad day that seems to continue to get worse and the benefit of having a friend by your side in tough times.

[Hailey Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“All you can control are your actions and reactions to stuff.” Goes through the Bear and Hares story about a really bad day, but the two friends are together. Life will throw twists and turns but what you can control is how you act and react to things.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a weird day it’s nice to just go with the flow and try to relax.

[Y.Poston]

Delightful romp about what makes a crappy day better

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 165.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good friends are like inner tubes, Jeff. They keep you afloat through life's twists and turns."

To the friends who are there on the worst of the worst days!!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Good friends are like inner tubes. They keep you afloat through life's twists and turns."

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

There ARE some days where everything just goes wrong.
I love Jeff in his undies and the different woodland critters are funny.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff & Anders

A really cute book with appealing illustrations. It has a sweet message about rolling with the punches and making the best out of bad situations.

[Grace Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day, only with Jory John's great characters.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even the very worst of days are easier to bear with a good friend by your side.

[Valeria Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book shows that even on bad days, its possible to have great moments :-)

[Josh Peatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be a lot funnier with less words

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to keep the mo from Something’s Wrong. A bit too much. But kids who love Jory John won’t care