It's story time at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California, and almost immediately I spot the day's celebrity reader in the distance… Dick Van Dyke.  In L.A., it wouldn't necessarily be that surprising to have a celebrity reading at a local bookstore, but today's reading is anything but normal since we're on the set of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the movie based on Judith Viorst’s classic children’s book.

Van Dyke, in “character” as himself, is about to read the latest book to be released from the publishing house that Alexander’s mom (played by Jennifer Garner) works for. Unfortunately, a typo in the book has embarrassing consequences. 

Without a car, Garner’s character bikes her way to the bookstore, hence the "helmet hair" she's sporting.  But as fate would have it, she is too late and her job and reputation are compromised. "This movie is my life," chuckles Garner, who manages to make even helmet hair look glamorous, cleverly kept in place by a vibrant pink sweatband. 

The movie, in theaters October 10, follows the story of 11-year-old Alexander, whose very bad day is only worsened by his lament that no one understands him. From starting a fire in his science class to learning that his friend's birthday party is scheduled for the same day as his own, Alexander feels isolated in his misfortunes. His secret wish for empathy results in his family's own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Ed Oxenbould, who plays Alexander, jokes that he identifies with the story because "it's about a family that doesn't really listen to (Alexander) and that's kind of my family as well." 

In the film, Garner’s character works as an executive at a publishing house. She was attracted to the role because of her longstanding familiarity with the story and her desire to be a librarian or a children's book author. For Garner, there is nothing better than "bringing a kid's book to life." Add in Disney, and the experience was nothing short of "dreamy" for the award-winning actress. 

Without giving away spoilers, much of the hilarity in the film, which also stars Steve Carell, comes from the experiences each family member goes through, which include everything from encountering marsupials to all-out mayhem. In the midst of it all, Alexander finds himself "in the eye of the hurricane" wondering whether or not he really cursed his family. According to producer Lisa Henson, "There's really no magic in the movie. It's just how bad days can be in a real family." 

After watching Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the filmmakers hope that families glean some new perspective on the daily challenges they face.  "I think all kids need to know it's OK to have a bad day [but] it doesn't define you," says Garner.

The family is closer at the end of the movie than they are at the beginning, which speaks volumes to the underlying message of the film. Everyone (including adults) has bad days, but "you’re still loved even if you are rotten in the middle of your horrible, awful, very bad day,” Garner says.

See Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in theaters October 10.